Wearing colored contact lenses won't get you through customs — 5 red flags at the border

By the MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team

Going through security and customs is an essential part of international travel, and standards vary from country to country. However, there are common and general benchmarks travelers can refer to. It’s a good idea to take note of the following key points to avoid making mistakes that could result in being denied entry and ruining your trip.

1. Wearing colored or light-adjusting contact lenses
Customs officers may ask you to remove your glasses, and some countries have stricter facial recognition requirements. Wearing colored or light-adjusting contact lenses may raise suspicions and lead to further inspection. Especially if there's a significant difference between your passport photo and your actual appearance, immigration officers may question your identity, causing entry delays.
 
2. Unclear explanation of travel accommodation
Upon entering another country, some nations require you to fill out a foreign visitor entry form, such as in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Japan. Customs officers will ask for personal details like your accommodation address, contact information, or even your itinerary. If these are not clearly filled out, you may be questioned. Failure to provide a satisfactory explanation could lead to serious consequences, including deportation.

3. Entering a country too frequently
With the rise of shopping agents, some people frequently enter certain countries, including Hong Kong, Japan, and Thailand. However, too many frequent entries may make customs suspicious that you’re involved in parallel trading and could lead to deportation. For example, Japan has regulations stating that if you enter too often or stay for a cumulative total exceeding half a year, you must have a valid reason.
 
4. Carrying too little or too much cash
Discrepancies in the amount of cash you declare or carrying either too little or too much can prompt customs to question you. For example, Thailand has explicit rules strictly cracking down on illegal employment, so immigration officers may doubt your travel purpose. To ensure you have proof of sufficient funds, you must carry an adequate amount: 20,000 Thai baht in foreign currency for individuals, or 40,000 baht for families.

5. Damaged passports or stickers on the passport
If your passport is damaged or has graffiti on blank pages, it becomes invalid, and immigration officers may deny you entry. Also, attaching stickers to your passport by yourself is considered misrepresentation or tampering, which could also result in being refused entry. Therefore, check your passport condition carefully before departure.
 

Even capsule toys and contact lenses have limits: Taiwan Customs' new entry rules for 2018

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