When do I go through customs on Chicago-Munich-Rome?

Question

I have a flight from Chicago to Rome that connects in Munich. Do I go through customs in Munich or in Rome?

Answer 1

Based on your flight sectors indicated, you're flying all they way with International flights. Alas, you will remained within respective airports International Airport Transit Hall.

If you are flying with 1 carrier with a thorough check-in then you are not required to clear Immigration or Custom as long you remained within the respective International Airport Transit Hall. However, if you're flying with 2 or 3 separate carriers to reach your destination, Upon disembarked at the respective Transiting International Airport, you're required to approach respective Carrier Transit Desk located within the respective International Airport Transit Hall and later proceed to the conveyor belt to retrieve your check-in luggage for re-tagging for another carrier and destination.

I believe you are flying with Lufthansa German Airline from ORD to MUC to FCO. Here the details of your connecting flights :-

Departure Chicago, O'Hare International (ORD) on board Flight No: LH 431 on Sunday at 1410 Hours and Arrive Munich (MUC) on Monday at 0555 Hours (Lufthansa Aircraft: Airbus A340-600) Flight Duration 8 Hours and 45 Minutes

Upon arrival at Munich (MUC) Terminal 2 check the LCD Monitor Screen for your Connecting Flight with Lufthansa Cityline (Star Alliance) Boarding Gate . You've only 40 Minutes layover time.

Departure Munich (MUC) on board Flight No: LH 3854 on Monday at 0635 Hours and Arrive Rome (FCO) Monday at 0810 Hours (Lufthansa Cityline Aircraft: Avro RJ85 Avroliner) Flight duration is 1 Hours and 35 Minutes.

Hope the above are well and clear.

Bon Voyage!

Answer 2

Put quite simply:  follow the luggage.  If your luggage is tagged all the way through to Rome, then you will go through customs in Rome.  If it's only tagged through to MUC (because you're on separate tickets, for example), then you'd have to clear at MUC.  Both Italy and Germany are part of the Schengen Agreement border alliance, so it's normal for bags to be checked through to your final destination, then clear customs at your final arrival point.