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U.S. Customs Tips for Visitors

This information is only a brief overview of U.S. Customs requirements. If you want additional information, please: Contact an American Embassy or Consulate before you leave or check the U.S. Customs Web Site.

As a resident of another country on a visit to the United States, your Customs status is that of a nonresident.

While aboard ship or on the aircraft, you will be given a Customs declaration form. Fill out the identification part, answer questions 1 through 11 and sign the reverse side. Present it to the Immigration and Customs Inspectors on arrival. Visitors arriving by land borders will identify themselves during their oral declaration.

All articles brought into the United States, including gifts for other persons, must be declared to U.S. Customs at the time you enter. If all the articles you have to declare are entitled to free entry under the exemptions allowed, you need not fill in the reverse side of the declaration form. Instead, you orally declare articles brought with you to the Customs Inspector. (If an inspector deems it necessary, you may be required to make a written declaration and list articles brought with you.)

There is no limitation as to the amount of money (U.S. or foreign currency), all travelers checks, money orders, or negotiable instruments in bearer form that you may bring into or take out of the United States. A report, however, must be filed with U.S. Customs at the time you arrive or depart with an amount which exceeds $10,000, or the equivalent in foreign currency. A form will be provided to you for this purpose.

Your Exemptions

Personal Exemptions The following articles may be brought in free of duty and internal revenue tax, if for personal use and not for others or for sale.

Personal effects (e.g. wearing apparel; articles of personal adornment; toilet articles; hunting, fishing, and photographic equipment)

One liter of alcoholic beverages (e.g. wine, beer or liquor) if you are an adult nonresident

200 cigarettes, or 50 cigars, or 2 kilograms (4.4 Ibs.) of smoking tobacco, or proportionate amounts of each

Vehicles (e.g., automobiles, trailers, airplanes, motorcycles, boats) for personal use if imported in connection with your arrival

Gift Exemption In addition to the above exemptions, articles up to $100 in total value for use as bona fide gifts to other persons may be brought in free of duty and tax, if you will be in the United States for at least 72 hours and have not claimed this gift exemption in the past 6 months. You may include in this exemption up to 100 cigars.

Please note: Some States limit the amount of liquor which can be brought into the State. Customs cannot release alcoholic beverages in excess of restrictions of the State in which you arrive.

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