USA
Articles from certain countries are given special duty preferences when imported into the USA. Contact the US International Trade Commission or US representations abroad for more information.
Residents:
Persons returning to resume residency in the USA after travel, work or studies abroad are considered returning residents by the US Customs.
1. Returning residents of the USA can import up to USD 800.- worth of articles acquired abroad free of duty, if their stay abroad was at least 48 hours and their duty-free exemption was not used in the preceding 30 days (see 3. below – “If not entitled”).
Mexico and the Virgin Isl. (USA) are exempt from the 48-hour minimum time requirements.
For arrivals directly from American Samoa, Guam or the US Virgin Islands: duty-free exemption of max. USD 1600.- (of which max. USD 800.- may be acquired elsewhere than in these islands).
The duty-free allowances may include the following maximum quantities of:
a. Tobacco products: 200 cigarettes, a reasonable amount of tobacco and 100 cigars.
For arrivals from the US Virgin Islands, Guam or American Samoa: 1000 cigarettes, not more than 200 of which may be acquired elsewhere than in these islands.
b. persons of 21 years or older: 1 US quart of alcoholic beverages.
State restrictions: Quantities in excess of one US quart of alcoholic beverages per person imported into certain states are subject to local state taxes. For more information, contact the Distilled Spirits Council of the USA.
For arrivals from the US Virgin Islands, Guam or American Samoa: 1 US gallon, not more than 1 quart of which may be acquired elsewhere than on these islands.
c. Perfumes, lotions, Eau de Cologne, etc. if not under a trade mark restriction recorded in the US Treasury Department (importation of one trademarked article per passenger will usually be allowed, unless the trade mark owner has authorized a greater number of imports of its article).
d. Other goods for personal use.
Above exemptions are also applicable if shipped as cargo and arriving by same aircraft as owner.
2. Members of a family residing in one household returning together to the USA may group articles acquired, for application of the flat duty rate. For example, an eligible family of four would have their articles grouped for a total of USD 3,200.- fair retail value for entry at the flat rate of duty.
3. If not entitled to the USD 600.-, USD 800.- or USD 1200.- exemption (because the exemption was previously used within the past 30 days or stay outside the USA was less than 48 hours), articles with max. value of USD 50.- may be imported, including max. 50 cigarettes or 10 cigars or 4 ounces of alcoholic beverages (age: 21 years or older) or 4 ounces of alcoholic perfume. This USD 50.- exemption may not be grouped together for members of a family. If the USD 50.- value is exceeded, the whole quantity is dutiable.
4. Non-commercial import of goods with max. value of USD 800.- from Cambodia, Cuba, Korea (Dem. People’s Rep.) and Viet Nam is allowed if:
– the USD 800.- allowance is used max. once per 6 months;
– the goods are purchased in that country;
– they are for personal use and not for resale; and
– carried by the traveler.
Note: Articles from Cambodia, Cuba, Korea (Dem. People’s Rep.) and Viet Nam imported from other countries may still be restricted.
Import of Cuban alcohol and/or tabacco products acquired in Cuba for personal use is allowed in accompanied baggage.
5. USA residents returning from American Samoa, Guam or the Virgin Isl. (USA) may apply their personal duty-free exemption to articles acquired in, and sent directly from, these islands.
Non-residents: can import the following articles for personal use free of duty:
a. 100 cigars or 200 cigarettes or 4.4 lbs.(2 kg) of smoking tobacco (persons of 21 years or older), or combination thereof;
b. 1 US quart of alcoholic beverages (persons of 21 years or older).
State restrictions: Quantities in excess of one US quart of alcoholic beverages per person imported into certain states are subject to local state taxes. For more information, contact the Distilled Spirits Council of the USA.
In addition, each non-resident (including minors) can import gifts of maximum value of USD 100.- free of duty, once per 6 months, if their stay in the USA is not less than 72 hours.
Alcoholic beverages and cigarettes may not be included in the USD 100.- gift exemption. If not entitled for the USD 100.- gift exemption, articles not exceeding a value of USD 50.- may imported, including max. 100 cigars or 3 lbs. of tobacco. The USD 50.- exemption may not be grouped together for members of a family.
Prohibited:
1. Narcotics, marijuana, dangerous drugs, absinthe (and any other liquor containing artemisia absinthium).
2. Fresh, dried or canned meat or meat products seeds (incl. rice, soybeans and chickpeas), vegetables, fruits, soil, live insects, snails and other living plant or animal pests.
3. Plants. Small quantities of pest-free cut flowers without soil are generally allowed. Certain plants, plant products and seeds are admissible with an import permit. For more information contact the US Dept. of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), National Center for Import and Export.
4. Unprocessed pork products and pork byproducts from the Dominican Rep. and Haiti.
5. Fish – unless certified as disease-free – including salmon and trout, or their eggs, if not canned, pickled or smoked may not be imported from anywhere except North America.
6. Goods from Iran and leather souvenirs from Haiti (e.g. drums).
7. Wildlife, fish and their products are subject to restrictions. Articles manufactured from wildlife such as clothing (i.e. leopard skin coats, crocodile shoes etc.), purses, carvings, etc. are prohibited.
8. Dairy products and eggs from certain countries.
For more information contact the US Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife or US representations overseas.
9. Lighters without fuel are permitted in checked baggage or max. 2 lighters with fuel if properly enclosed in a Department of Transportation (DOT) approved case.
10. Matches in checked baggage. One book of safety (non-strike anywhere) matches is permitted as carry-on items.
Local currency (United States Dollar-USD) and foreign currencies: no restrictions, passengers must report to US customs any money or other monetary instruments exceeding USD 10,000.-. Gold: Importation of gold coins or small, non-commercial quantities of gold must be declared upon arrival.
For detailed information see https://www.fws.gov/.