Before shopping abroad, familiarize yourself with US customs regulations to avoid fines or seizure of items. Keep receipts and declare gifts, purchases, and inherited items upon return. Customs officials may search baggage and persons to prevent illegal items from entering the country. Respect officials.
One of the best things about traveling abroad is that you get the opportunity to visit foreign markets, shops and shopping malls and peruse goods that are not available or easy to find at home. While many travelers revel in the treasures they’ve found while shopping overseas, it’s important to understand customs regulations before making any purchases. There are some items that, upon entering the United States, could incur heavy fines or even be seized from the traveler based on United States customs regulations.
Before making any overseas purchases, be sure to familiarize yourself with US customs regulations. You can find all the information you need at: www.customs.ustreas.gov. Here you can read about mandatory declarations, duty-free items, and information about prohibited and restricted goods. Many travelers have their items shipped home from their hotel or directly to the shops where they purchase their items.
There are also customs regulations on this process which you can read about on the above website. A very useful page within that site is the “Know Before You Go” page: www.customs.treas.gov/travel/know.htm. Also, make sure you’re just using your common sense. Anything potentially dangerous, unsafe, or illegal in the US will likely get you in trouble with a customs officer upon your return home.
Upon your return home, your airline or cruise ship will provide you with a customs declaration form to complete and present to customs officials when you re-enter the country. It’s helpful to keep all of your receipts and sales slips in one place so that you can fill out this document accurately. You will be asked to declare the following types of items:
1. Gifts given to you during your trip, as well as any gifts you have received.
2. Anything you purchased and shipped to your home or business on your trip.
3. Items purchased in duty free shops.
4. Anything you intend to resell in the US.
5. All the items you have inherited during your journey.
In addition to understanding the regulations on what you can and can’t take with you from vacation, it’s also helpful to know a little about US customs procedures. While not always the most convenient of procedures, customs officials have the right to search both your baggage and your person upon return to the United States. These searches are intended to stop, or at least decrease, the flow of illegal drugs and other contraband items into the country. Many people on regular international trips are never searched. However, it’s important to know that being searched is a possibility. It is also important to respect customs officials.
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