Prepping for our return from Tanzania and have never arrived at Ohare after an international flight with firearms before.
Can you give me some direction as to the procedure and where to go to pick up the firearms and ammo case? I will be connecting with a United flight which I already know the process for that flight.
Thanks in advance.

Yes we did have a great trip even thought Turkish Air held our rifles back for 10 days.

International Traveler

International travelers must clear U.S. Customs and Border Protection checkpoints upon arrival. Step by step instructions are provided below to help travelers prepare for the arrival process outlined below. To view the Transfer Guide for International Travelers, click here.


Step 1
Arrive at O'Hare Terminal 5
Upon arrival, passengers will exit the gate and proceed through sterile corridors towards the CBP Processing Area.
Note: Passengers from a number of international destinations preclear U.S. CBP in their departure city. Passengers arriving on Aer Lingus and Etihad Airways may proceed directly to the domestic baggage claim in the Terminal 5 Arrivals Hall. Passengers can reach the arrivals hall via a secured exit to either the escalator or elevator near vestibule 5C. Once passengers have claimed their baggage at Carousel Number 10 on the lower level, passengers can exit to the public area of the arrivals hall in Terminal 5. (Skip to Step 6).
Passengers arriving from preclearance destinations on Air Canada, American Airlines, and United Airlines arrive in the domestic terminals. For more information on U.S. CBP preclearance, please visit the U.S. CBP website.
Step 2
Proceed to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Processing Area - Immigration Inspection
After traveling through the sterile corridors, passengers must clear Primary Inspection. Passengers who are traveling from a country that requires a visa to enter into the United States, or first time ESTA passengers, must wait in line at immigration.
Permanent U.S. or Canadian residents who are Global Entry members or repeat travelers from a country with a visa waiver may bypass the line and proceed directly to the Global Entry..
Click here to view a list of all Visa Waiver Program countries.


Step 3
Claim Baggage
Once travelers clear CBP Primary Inspection, they must claim all of their baggage and proceed to U.S. Customs and Agriculture, regardless of their final destination or even if their bags have been designated as "checked all the way through."
Luggage porters are available in the baggage claim area to help travelers who need assistance transporting their luggage. Luggage porters wear white shirts and porter caps so they are easily recognizable. (The luggage porters accept tips).


Step 4
Proceed to CBP Processing Area - Customs and Agriculture Inspections
Once travelers have collected all of their luggage they will proceed toward the exit where a CBP Officer will direct them outside or to CBP baggage/agriculture inspection. CBP officers are available to answer questions about what can or cannot be brought into the United States and what must be declared.
Passengers whose final destination is Chicago may leave the airport after clearing customs. Several ground transportation options are available from O’Hare Terminal 5 including taxicabs, Rideshare, shuttles and the Airport Transit System (ATS) for free transport to the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Blue Line or Economy Parking Lots.
There are many factors that impact how long it may take travelers to complete the immigration and CBP process, but on average it takes no more than two hours.
Passengers connecting to another location must recheck their luggage (Skip to Step 5).


Step 5
Connecting Flights/Transfers
To view the Transfer Guide for International Travelers, click here.
Passengers with a connecting flight and who have been checked through all the way to their destination should claim their luggage and then drop it off with their airline in the Recheck Hall located directly outside of the CBP Processing Area.
Travelers who are not checked all the way through to their final destination and who have a connecting flight with either United Airlines or American Airlines can re-check their luggage with an airline employee immediately after clearing the CBP Processing Area to avoid carrying their luggage to the domestic terminals.
**Please note that upon arrival to the domestic terminals, travelers must be screened at a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint. Travelers are reminded to pack all liquids over 3.4 fluid ounces and all Duty Free items in their checked luggage before leaving the Recheck Hall. Purchases made at the Duty Free store will NOT be admitted through the TSA checkpoint if they are over 3.4 fluid ounces unless in a secure, tamper-evident bag (STEB) and able to be screened and cleared by TSA Officers at that checkpoint.
Passengers who are not flying with United Airlines or American Airlines for their connecting flight and who are not checked all the way through to their final destination must take their luggage with them upon exiting Terminal 5 and re-check it with their airline at the corresponding domestic terminal.


Step 6
Exit to the Arrivals Hall
There are two main exits from the CBP Processing Area: Exit A and Exit B. Once travelers have passed through the CBP Processing Area, they are clear to leave the airport. Several ground transportation options are available from O’Hare Terminal 5 including taxicabs, Rideshare, shuttles and the Airport Transit System (ATS) for free transport to the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Blue Line or Economy Parking Lots. The ATS platform is located one level up from the Arrivals Hall and is accessible via the escalators and/or elevators located outside the exits.


Step 7
The Airport Transit System (ATS) is a free 24-hour rail system that transports passengers to Terminals 1, 2, 3 or the Economy Parking Lots. Passengers who are unable to recheck their luggage in Terminal 5 will need to recheck their bags directly with their airline at the corresponding domestic terminal.

Step 8
Proceed to Domestic Terminal Security Checkpoints
Once in the domestic terminals, travelers must clear Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening.
Travelers are reminded that any liquids they are carrying should be packed in their checked luggage before attempting to clear security to reach their connecting flight. Purchases made at the Duty Free store will NOT be admitted through the TSA checkpoint if they are over 3.4 fluid ounces unless in a secure, tamper-evident bag (STEB) and able to be screened and cleared by Transportation Security Officers at the checkpoint.
Check here for a list of prohibited items.


Step 9
Find Your Flight and Gate Number
Airline flight information boards and wayfinding signs are located in the concourse just beyond the security checkpoint to guide travelers to their departure gate.


Travelers Aid Services
Travelers Aid Chicago is a social service agency located at O'Hare. Travelers Aid staff provide guidance, support and advocacy services for passengers during travel. Travelers Aid stationed at booths and in the main office can assist with crisis intervention information as well as social services for travelers and visitors.
Terminal 5 information Desk Locations: Upper Level/Ticket Lobby, Lower Level Arrivals Lobby
You can contact Travelers Aid Chicago at (773) 894-2427.

There is a room near the luggage area exit where Customs checks your serial number against the 4457.