Port of entry

Port of entry

A port of entry is a place where one may lawfully enter a country. It typically has a staff of persons who check passports and visas and inspect luggage to assure that contraband is not imported. International airports are usually ports of entry, as are road and rail crossings on a land border. Seaports can be used ports of entry only if a dedicated customs presence is posted there. The choice of whether to become a port of entry is up to the civil authority controlling the port; In the USA, for example, Los Angeles and San Diego are ports of entry whereas Newport Beach is not.

At some Ports of Entry, immigration procedures are carried out by the armed forces rather than specific inmmigration officers. However customs is still carried out by customs officers.

On some borders the concept of a port of entry does not exist. Travellers may cross the border wherever and whenever convenient. In some cases this may be restricted to citizens of specific countries and to travellers who are not carrying goods over the customs limits; other travellers may only cross the border at designated border crossing during its opening times.

ee also

* Airport of entry
* Border
* Border checkpoint
* Border control
* Customs
* Schengen Agreement


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Port of entry — Port Port, n. [AS. port, L. portus: cf. F. port. See {Farm}, v., {Ford}, and 1st, 3d, & 4h {Port}.] 1. A place where ships may ride secure from storms; a sheltered inlet, bay, or cove; a harbor; a haven. Used also figuratively. [1913 Webster]… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • port of entry — ➔ port1 * * * port of entry UK US noun [C] (plural ports of entry) ► TRANSPORT a place where a person enters a country, or goods are taken off a ship, etc.: »You will need to present the documents at your port of entry …   Financial and business terms

  • port of entry — plural ports of entry n a place, such as a port or airport, where people or goods can enter a country …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • port of entry — n. A place where a ship, aircraft, or other vessel, and its passengers or cargo, enter a country, where customs and duties are paid and immigration procedures observed. The Essential Law Dictionary. Sphinx Publishing, An imprint of Sourcebooks,… …   Law dictionary

  • port of entry — noun count the place where someone or something officially enters a country …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • port of entry — n. any place where customs officials are stationed to check people and foreign goods entering a country …   English World dictionary

  • port of entry — noun a port in the United States where customs officials are stationed to oversee the entry and exit of people and merchandise • Syn: ↑point of entry • Hypernyms: ↑port • Instance Hyponyms: ↑Nogales, ↑Los Angeles, ↑Ci …   Useful english dictionary

  • port of entry — UK / US noun [countable] Word forms port of entry : singular port of entry plural ports of entry the place where someone or something officially enters a country …   English dictionary

  • port of entry — port′ of en′try n. law port I, 3) • Etymology: 1830–40 …   From formal English to slang

  • port of entry — {n. phr.} 1. A port where things brought into the country to sell may pass through customs. * /Other ports of entry have been taking business from New York./ 2. A port where a citizen of another country may legally enter a country; a port having… …   Dictionary of American idioms

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