What goods do I need to declare?


What goods do I need to declare?

How the U.S. Customs Service Works
  • Anything you bought (including from duty-free shops or on a ship or airplane)
  • Anything you inherited or received as a gift (you'll have to estimate the fair market price of the gift)
  • Anything you brought home for a friend.
  • Anything you plan to use or sell in your business.


What are things to declare at airport?

What to declare
  • Purchases made abroad, including gifts for friends and family or something you will use or sell in your business.
  • A gift given to you while abroad.
  • An item that you brought with you but had repaired or altered.


Do I have to declare snacks?

You must declare all food products. If you fail to declare food products, you could face up to $10,000 in fines and penalties. If you declare all agricultural products you are bringing with you, you won't be charged any penalties, even if an inspector determines that they can't enter the country.


Do you pay customs on personal items?

For Customs purposes, clothing, jewelry, photography equipment, portable radios, and vehicles are considered personal effects and cannot be brought in duty-free as household effects. However, duty is usually waived on personal effects more than one year of age. All vehicles are dutiable.


Can I pack jewelry in my personal bag?

Yes. In fact, TSA encourages you to keep your jewelry on. The vast majority of jewelry will not set off the alarms, and if it does an officer can inspect it with you watching. If you do decide to remove your jewelry for whatever reason, put it into your carry-on bag, not on its own in a bin or bowl.


Should I declare everything at customs?

Merchandise is declared to CBP. If you do not declare something that should have been declared, you risk forfeiting the item. If in doubt, declare it. You are returning from an overseas stay of at least 48 hours.