Travel Tips : What Can I Bring into the U.S.?
Posted Oct 08, 2004
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[Note : To avoid immigration problems in returning to the U.S., each traveler should carefully review all documents prior to departure. Any questions about the ability to travel, the need for documents, or the impact on any pending case/s should be discussed with an experienced lawyer, knowledgeable in matters of U.S. immigration law, prior to travel. If a visa is required for returning to the U.S., an appointment with the consulate should be made over the Internet well in advance of the return trip. Numerous articles helpful to those who are planning travel may be found in our Travel section of MurthyDotCom.]
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Many MurthyDotCom and MurthyBulletin readers will join the throngs of Americans and others traveling during the time considered the "holiday season" in the United States. The period between Thanksgiving and the New Year (the 4^th Thursday in November and January 1^st, or the beginning of the following work week, for some - the academic semester, for others) is considered one of the busiest times for the travel industry. In anticipation of this year's hustle and bustle, we focus on the requirements under U.S. law for bringing items or goods into the United States.
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Travelers generally like to bring things back from the places they visit. Sometimes, this is a favorite food or decorative item from the home country. People often want to buy souvenirs or gifts for their friends and family. These items are controlled by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) (a helpful directory makes it easy to find specific information), which is part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The CBP is the same governmental office that performs the Port of Entry Inspections of travelers seeking entry to the U.S. We have found that the CBP WebSite is a useful source for information worth sharing with MurthyDotCom and MurthyBulletin readers, to speed processing through the CBP customs inspection.
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The CBP has compiled a list of Top 10 Tips. These tips include declaring duty-free goods even if purchased in a duty-free store, and not attempting to bring unauthorized fruits, meats, and dairy products into the U.S. without first determining whether they are permitted. The most important of the tips is to read the more extensive CBP information entitled Know before You Go, which sets out detailed information on how to bring things into the U.S., what and how much can be brought in under certain duty exemptions, and which exemption applies to the particular travel situation.
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Know before You Go includes other advice, such as keeping all sales slips and packing those things that must be declared separately. It reminds travelers that the CBP is authorized to examine luggage, cargo, and travelers. It also suggests that, in some cases, it may be best to register certain items before departure, so that there is no question as to whether the item was purchased abroad. Once one has read Know before You Go there is a quiz to be certain everything has been understood.
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We hope that those of our MurthyDotCom and MurthyBulletin readers who travel this holiday season will ensure that you have everything in order before you go. Review the CBP information to ensure return inspection, both for bringing in goods and yourselves, is routine and uneventful!