Though the FAA cannot regulate foreign aircrafts that are traveling within sovereign airspace, it can inspect foreign aircrafts that are entering into U.S. territory under the International Convention on Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention) authority. These inspections can be limited, however, and typically only happen if an airline wants to expand its services to and from the U.S. In these instances the FAA can evaluate the carrier to determine whether it is fit to extend its services or whether it must operate at its current level until any problems are sorted out.
There are certain plants and animals that cannot be imported into the U.S. and some that can only be imported with a permit. This list can also vary depending upon the state you are bringing the plant or animal into, as every state has different ecological and agricultural conditions. For the most updated information on which plants and animals are and are not allowed on international flights, visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS); see References.
Whether you're a U.S. citizen or a foreign visitor, you must possess the proper identification at the time of your departure and arrival from the U.S. This rule will also apply to U.S. citizens traveling abroad, though you should check with your arriving country's embassy or consulate to obtain their specific identification requirements. Any non-resident or non-citizen must produce his passport and boarding pass when entering and exiting the airport gates. Citizens can choose to present their passports--which should be on hand anyway if they're traveling from a foreign country--or they can produce one form of picture identification, such as a valid driver's license, and one proof of citizenship, such as a certified copy of their birth certificates. Residents can produce their Lawful Permanent Resident Card, as well as a Consular Report of Birth Abroad.
In general, anyone traveling to the U.S., whether citizen or not, cannot bring medications on a flight that are not approved in the U.S. for sale. This means that an American citizen cannot purchase medications that are not approved by the FDA overseas and transport them back to the U.S. Even if a medication is approved in one's country of origin, foreign travelers similarly cannot bring non-FDA approved medications on their flights. There are exceptions to this rule on a case-by-case basis, however. An individual may contact the FDA's Division of Import Operations and Policy ahead of time to obtain permission to bring a three-month supply of an unapproved substance on an aircraft.
Though passengers are allowed to carry electronics, such as laptops, cell phones and portable game devices on flights, the FAA limits their uses. Any aircraft traveling above 10,000 feet, which many international flights do, does not allow the use of laptops or other personal electronic devices. Usage of these devices may also be limited during landing and take off. Cell phones and portable televisions and radios are never operable on an aircraft. Additionally, anyone traveling with these devices should bring proof of purchase to avoid paying duty on these items.
