United States Customs

On the airplane, you will be given a U.S. Custom Declaration Form to complete with details of the items you are bringing before you land at your first U.S. destination. After you go through the port of entry inspection at the airport, you will need to collect your luggage. Once you go through immigration, you will then take your luggage and the Custom Declaration Form to a U.S. Customs Officer. If you have extra luggage, you may need to purchase a cart for $5. Dragging more than two pieces of luggage can be difficult if you are traveling alone. You will be asked to declare to a U.S. Customs Inspector what you have brought into the U.S. You may have to open your luggage to Customs Officers before it goes through the scanning machines. Customs Officers will also ask from you verbally what you have in your luggage. You can bring in anything for your personal use without paying duty taxes. Quantity limitations are placed on alcoholic beverages (you must be at least 21 years old to carry 1 liter), cigarettes (you must be at least 18 years old to carry 1 carton), Cigars (you must be at least 18 years old to carry 100) and smoking tobacco (you must be at least 18 years old to carry 2 kilograms). A total of $400 worth of gifts may be brought in duty free every six months. Any value over $400 will be assessed duty. Please visit the Customs and Border Protection website for more information.

Any amount of money may be brought into the U.S. without paying duty. However, you must declare any amount over $10,000. Certain articles may not be brought into the U.S. including meats, vegetables, lottery tickets, drugs without a prescription, articles made from endangered species, pornographic materials, copy written DVDs/CDs, and switchable knives. Food items that are canned or otherwise processed or sealed food are acceptable. For more information contact your local U.S. Consular or visit the Customs Clearing at CBP website.