Declaring Airport Items: A Traveler's Guide To Stress-Free Clearance

Declaring items at the airport is a necessary step to ensure a smooth travel experience. While it may seem daunting, especially for first-time travellers, understanding the process can help ease anxiety and prevent unnecessary delays or fines. The key principle to remember is that any items acquired or altered during your trip must be accurately declared. This includes purchases, gifts, food, medication, and even repairs to items you already owned. By being organised, honest, and cooperative with customs officers, you can efficiently navigate the declaration process and continue on your way.

Declare all items, including gifts and food

When travelling, it's important to know what you must declare on an official CBP declaration form before re-entering your country by plane. As a general rule of thumb, anything you obtained abroad needs to be declared. This includes gifts and food items. For example, if you bought gifts for friends and family, or food to bring back home, you must declare these items.

It's also important to declare any repairs or alterations made to items you already had. For example, if you had a suit tailored in Hong Kong, you must declare the tailoring when you return. It's always better to be safe than sorry—if in doubt, declare the item. You may waste a little time, but it's better than facing fines or other bureaucratic issues.

You can fill out the customs form on the plane before you arrive at the customs area. The form asks for basic information about your trip and requires you to list each item you are declaring and its cost. You can also combine personal exemptions on one form if you are travelling with your immediate family.

Keep your receipts, even if they are in a foreign language or currency, in case you are asked to produce them. It's also a good idea to pack the items you're declaring separately, perhaps in a carry-on bag, in case officials need to inspect them.

Fill out the CBP Declaration Form 6059B

When returning from a trip, all travellers must complete a CBP Declaration Form 6059B. This form must include a detailed list of all purchased merchandise and agricultural products. You can obtain a paper copy of the form at the port of entry, on the flight or cruise, or fill it out online at a Global Entry kiosk (if you are a pre-approved Global Entry member) or an Automated Passport Control kiosk.

To fill out the CBP Declaration Form 6059B, you will need to provide basic information related to your trip, including the countries you visited. You must list each item you are declaring and its cost. This includes anything you bought, inherited, or received as a gift, anything you brought for a friend, anything for your business, and any alterations or repairs to items you took abroad. You must also declare all monetary instruments, including traveller's cheques, money orders, gold coins, cash, cheques, promissory notes, securities, or stocks. If you are carrying more than $10,000, you must report it.

You can now fill out the CBP Form 6059B prior to or during your travel, and it can be typed instead of handwritten. Then, print and take the form with you as your official Customs Declaration. Keeping your purchase receipts handy in an envelope in your carry-on bag will make it easier to fill out the form.

It is important to declare all items accurately to avoid delays or fines. If you do not declare something that should have been declared, you risk forfeiting the item.

Keep receipts for everything

When travelling, it's always a good idea to keep receipts for everything you buy. Even if you don't think you'll need to declare an item, it's better to be safe than sorry. Keep your receipts in an envelope in your carry-on bag, so they're easily accessible when you go through customs. That way, if you're asked about any of the items you're bringing into the country, you can quickly produce the receipt. This is especially important for items such as alcohol, luxury goods, or anything else that is expensive or could pose a biosecurity risk.

It's worth noting that you should also keep receipts for any repairs or alterations made to items you already owned and took abroad with you. For example, if you took a suit to Hong Kong to be tailored, you'll need to declare that when you return. Keeping the receipt for the tailoring service will make it easier for you to declare the suit and move through customs efficiently.

In addition to keeping receipts, it's a good idea to keep all the items you plan to declare in one place. This could be your carry-on bag or a separate bag that you can easily access. This will make it easier for you to locate the items if customs officials want to inspect them.

By keeping receipts for everything and staying organized, you can help ensure a smooth and stress-free experience when going through customs. It's always better to be over-prepared, and you'll avoid any potential fines or delays that could sour your trip.

Remember, if in doubt, declare the item. A little extra time spent declaring something that may not need to be declared is better than the alternative of not declaring something you should have and potentially facing fines or other consequences.

Declare foreign currency over $10,000

When travelling, it is important to know what you must declare on an official CBP declaration form (also known as a "customs form") before re-entering a country by plane. While you may bring foreign currency back into the United States, you must declare all monetary instruments, including traveller's cheques, money orders, gold coins, cash, cheques, promissory notes, securities or stocks.

There is no limit to the amount of money that can be brought across the U.S. border, but if you have more than $10,000, you must report it to the CBP on your declaration form. This can be done by filling out the Currency Reporting Form (FinCen 105) online, filling out and printing Form FinCen 105 before you travel and presenting it to a CBP officer, or asking a CBP officer for a paper copy and filling it out at customs. Failure to declare currency in amounts more than $10,000 can result in its seizure, as well as a fine of up to $500,000 and up to 10 years of imprisonment.

When declaring foreign currency over $10,000, you will likely be questioned about the source of the funds, so it is important to have documentation that shows where the money came from. You may also be asked about your visa status, as carrying large sums of cash can be interpreted as "intent to immigrate". It is also recommended that you keep your cash in a safe place, such as a carry-on bag, to prevent theft.

In addition to declaring your cash, you must also declare anything else you are bringing back that you did not have when you left the country. This includes anything you purchased (including from duty-free shops), anything you inherited or received as a gift, anything you brought home for a friend, and anything you plan to use or sell in your business. It is also a good idea to save your sales receipts and pack the items you're declaring separately in case officials want to inspect them.

Be aware of prohibited and restricted items

When travelling, it is important to be aware of prohibited and restricted items. These vary depending on the country you are entering or leaving, so it is always best to check the relevant government websites for the most up-to-date information. In the US, for example, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) restrict many common items to prevent in-flight danger. These include:

• Alcoholic beverages over 70% by volume (over 140 proof)
• Opened containers of alcohol
• Lithium batteries with more than 100 watt hours
• Firearms or ammunition
• Flammable liquids or solids
• Gasoline-powered tools
• Explosives
• Marijuana
• Stun guns/shocking devices

If you are entering the US, you must declare all monetary instruments, including traveller's cheques, money orders, gold coins, cash, cheques, promissory notes, securities or stocks. There is no limit to the amount of money that can be brought across the US border, but amounts over $10,000 must be reported.

Other items that must be declared include anything you bought, inherited or received as a gift, anything you plan to sell, and anything you brought for a friend. It is always better to declare something if you are unsure.

Frequently asked questions