# Do astronauts have to pass customs and immigration after returning to Earth? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 9, 2012, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-astronauts-have-to-pass-customs-and-immigration-after-returning-to-earth/634228 "2012-09-09T20:26:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-astronauts-have-to-pass-customs-and-immigration-after-returning-to-earth/634228/21 "2012-09-10T15:26:58Z")
> [@TokyoBayer](#): > > My first thoughts. > > Actually, though, it’s a fact that the first manned flights to the moon were only _after_ it had been conclusively proven there was not intelligent life, and thus no Lunar government, so Neil did not have to apply for a visa. Setting foot on the Moon… Priceless. For everything else… there’s Mastercard. Actually, isn’t there an agreement on the books that the Moon is not the territory of any given natino? Given that, I suppose I could see how it might thus not be considered having ever left the US (or at least, having never set foot on a foreign land). ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-astronauts-have-to-pass-customs-and-immigration-after-returning-to-earth/634228/22 "2012-09-10T15:32:57Z")
if they would have to go through customs because of the special situation there would likely be a thorough search. they would likely refer to it as a space probe. ---
**Author:** ![Bozuit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/edb3f5/32.png) [@Bozuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bozuit)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-astronauts-have-to-pass-customs-and-immigration-after-returning-to-earth/634228/23 "2012-09-10T19:59:39Z")
> [@Xema](#): > > Why would any exemption be needed? > > The usual rules are that customs and immigration checks apply to someone returning from a visit to the territory of another country. They don’t apply to someone who overflies other countries at 40,000’ Things can go wrong and spacecraft may have to land in unexpected places. There have been many splashdowns in international waters - what if they land closer to a foreign ship and get picked up? Imagine the fuss Iran or North Korea would kick up if it was anywhere near them. Of course it could have been even more complicated when these things were actually happening more often. There have been many splashdowns near Cuba and I doubt they would be very welcoming to an American astronaut landing in their territorial waters in the 60s without even a passport. It’s just one less complication. [Here’s one mention of astronauts needing passports](http://www.collectspace.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/002701.html): > [@](#): > > The change in landing plans has created more than mere scheduling problems, noted Melissa Gard, NASA’s manager for the current expedition operations. In response to a question from [MSNBC.com](http://MSNBC.com), she described how a fellow astronaut will be at the landing site in Central Asia with passports and visas for the two Americans, who had not expected to need them when they blasted off last fall. ---
**Author:** ![Bozuit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/edb3f5/32.png) [@Bozuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bozuit)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-astronauts-have-to-pass-customs-and-immigration-after-returning-to-earth/634228/24 "2012-09-10T20:08:41Z")
> [@Raguleader](#): > > Actually, isn’t there an agreement on the books that the Moon is not the territory of any given natino? Given that, I suppose I could see how it might thus not be considered having ever left the US (or at least, having never set foot on a foreign land). Yes, it’s the [Outer Space Treaty](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outer_Space_Treaty). Also I found [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=181695) and [this one on another forum](http://cosmoquest.org/forum/showthread.php/4758-Do-astronauts-need-passports-No-really!) which appears to have been started by a Doper, **Nanoda**. Unfortunately they don’t offer much more information than what is already in this thread. > [@Damfino](#): > > This is the [immigration form](http://www.geekosystem.com/tag/neil-armstrong/) signed by Neil Armstrong on his return to Earth. (Scroll down and click.) Clearly a joke, though. Actually I think that’s not a joke. I’ve seen a few mentions of that declaration. ---
**Author:** ![spifflog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@spifflog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spifflog)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-astronauts-have-to-pass-customs-and-immigration-after-returning-to-earth/634228/25 "2012-09-10T20:15:16Z")
> [@Bozuit](#): > > Actually I think that’s not a joke. I’ve seen a few mentions of that declaration. Let’s just call that a whoosh (I really really really hope it is) and call it a day. Astronauts are aviators, and if any group likes to poke fun at authority, it’s them. As someone noted up thread, If there was ever an April first thread, this should be it. ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-astronauts-have-to-pass-customs-and-immigration-after-returning-to-earth/634228/26 "2012-09-10T20:27:12Z")
> [@Bozuit](#): > > Things can go wrong and spacecraft may have to land in unexpected places. Indeed - but this isn’t what was being asked about in the OP. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-astronauts-have-to-pass-customs-and-immigration-after-returning-to-earth/634228/27 "2012-09-10T21:39:13Z")
> [@brazil84](#): > > I would think there is an exception in the law for US government vehicles. I mean, if an American carrier group comes back from the Mediterranean, do the sailors have to clear customs? I doubt it. Or even sailors on a US-registered fishing boat, who go outside the territory of the USA on the ocean, and then come back to port. They certainly don’t have to go through customs! It’s a silly question. ---
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-astronauts-have-to-pass-customs-and-immigration-after-returning-to-earth/634228/28 "2012-09-10T22:16:46Z")
In the case of sailors on a US Navy ship, I imagine it is similar to American military personnel traveling commercially to get from one base to another. We show our military ID and a copy of our orders, and that is usually acceptable to get us through customs (I imagine that for such places where that wouldn’t work, we’d be issued passports). For sailors on fishing boats, I don’t now how that generally works. EDIT: For the sailors, I mean, of course, when they inevitably go ashore in a foreign port, such visits being the only reason anyone would sign up to live in such cramped conditions and be made to dress like they do. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-astronauts-have-to-pass-customs-and-immigration-after-returning-to-earth/634228/29 "2012-09-10T22:38:47Z")
> [@](#): > > Do astronauts have to pass customs and immigration after returning to Earth? Just wait until we’re all hip-deep in Illegal Martian Immigrants, & you’ll all **see** how funny it is. **Juuuust wait!** ---
**Author:** ![Kimmy\_Gibbler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Kimmy\_Gibbler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimmy_Gibbler)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-astronauts-have-to-pass-customs-and-immigration-after-returning-to-earth/634228/30 "2012-09-10T23:28:01Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > _Checking the calendar_… No, it’s not the first of April. This is **robert\_columbia** ’s “thing.” It’s like he’s Skald the Rhymer crossed with Dick Wolf. ---
**Author:** ![Nunzio\_Tavulari](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Nunzio\_Tavulari](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nunzio_Tavulari)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2012, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-astronauts-have-to-pass-customs-and-immigration-after-returning-to-earth/634228/31 "2012-09-11T00:23:48Z")
Next time James Cameron goes down, can we get a Customs guy to refuse him re-entry to the surface? ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2012, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-astronauts-have-to-pass-customs-and-immigration-after-returning-to-earth/634228/32 "2012-09-11T00:44:32Z")
From **Fish Cheer** ’s cite: > [@](#): > > In terms of the Outer Space Treaty, States on whose registry an object launched into outer space is carried shall retain jurisdiction and control over such object, and over any personnel thereof, while in outer space or on a celestial body. Therefore, except where agreed otherwise by States (for example, in the case of joint projects) personnel of spacecraft in outer space are subject to the laws of the State of registry. Does the ISS have an official country of registry? I’d think that’d undermine the whole “International” part of it. But if not, whose laws apply on board? Are there different laws in the different compartments? ---
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2012, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-astronauts-have-to-pass-customs-and-immigration-after-returning-to-earth/634228/33 "2012-09-11T03:48:37Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > From **Fish Cheer** ’s cite: > Does the ISS have an official country of registry? I’d think that’d undermine the whole “International” part of it. But if not, whose laws apply on board? Are there different laws in the different compartments? Presumably they come to some kind of agreement between states, perhaps a treaty between the participating nations. ---
**Author:** ![coremelt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2012, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-astronauts-have-to-pass-customs-and-immigration-after-returning-to-earth/634228/34 "2012-09-11T04:04:49Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Are there different laws in the different compartments? Believe it or not, it seems like yes thats the answer. The laws of the country that put up that module apply to each module. > **[International Space Station legal framework](https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/International_Space_Station/International_Space_Station_legal_framework)** > > The International Space Station is a co-operative programme between Europe, the United States, Russia, Canada, and Japan for the joint development, operation and utilisation of a permanently inhabited Space Station in low Earth orbit. The legal... “This extension of national jurisdiction determines what laws are applicable for activities occurring on a Partner’s Space Station elements (e.g. European law in the European Columbus Laboratory).” Wow a murder occurring on the ISS would certainly be a messy legal affair and make for a pretty interesting novel / film idea. ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2012, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-astronauts-have-to-pass-customs-and-immigration-after-returning-to-earth/634228/35 "2012-09-11T04:20:31Z")
> [@t-bonham@scc.net](#): > > Or even sailors on a US-registered fishing boat, who go outside the territory of the USA on the ocean, and then come back to port. They certainly don’t have to go through customs! > > It’s a silly question. Years ago when I went on a short gambling boat cruise (going outside US territorial waters) I seem to remember there _was_ some kind of perfunctory customs and/or immigration check when we returned; had to show IDs at least. It must have been very perfunctory, though, as I hardly remember anything about it. I’m surprised at everyone scoffing at the OP, though. Isn’t it a very germane question now that practical space tourism may be imminent? > [@Raguleader](#): > > In the case of sailors on a US Navy ship, I imagine it is similar to American military personnel traveling commercially to get from one base to another. We show our military ID and a copy of our orders, and that is usually acceptable to get us through customs (I imagine that for such places where that wouldn’t work, we’d be issued passports). Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t a US naval vessel an extension of US territory? Maybe sailors don’t have to go through customs on their return because technically they never left. ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2012, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-astronauts-have-to-pass-customs-and-immigration-after-returning-to-earth/634228/36 "2012-09-11T04:36:53Z")
> [@t-bonham@scc.net](#): > > … > > It’s a silly question. Remember, the only silly questions are the ones not asked. And don’t even get me started on those asked here. ---
**Author:** ![Washoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecae2f/32.png) [@Washoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Washoe)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2012, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-astronauts-have-to-pass-customs-and-immigration-after-returning-to-earth/634228/37 "2012-09-11T04:57:09Z")
> [@johnpost](#): > > if they would have to go through customs because of the special situation there would likely be a thorough search. they would likely refer to it as a space probe. Oh, so _that’s_ what those fucking Tau Cetians are so goddamn anal about. Jezz— first you kidnap some poor guy who stocks the beer cooler at Walmart while he’s out frog fishing with his brother, and then you all spastic about whether or not he’s packing any contraband. Some people have just got to get a grip. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-astronauts-have-to-pass-customs-and-immigration-after-returning-to-earth/634228.md?page=1)