Roberta Aguirre
When arriving at an airport, you may be asked by customs to declare any items you are bringing into the country. This usually involves filling out a declaration form, which requires you to list any purchased merchandise, agricultural products, or gifts you are carrying. It is important to declare all items honestly and accurately, as customs officers have the authority to search your baggage and vehicle. Failure to declare items may result in forfeiting them or facing other legal consequences. Some items may be prohibited or restricted, so it is essential to be aware of the specific regulations of your destination country.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What to declare | Anything you are bringing that you did not have when you left, including gifts |
| Declaration form | CBP Declaration Form 6059B, listing purchased merchandise and agricultural products |
| Receipts | Keep all purchase receipts in an envelope in your carry-on bag |
| Prohibited items | Check the U.S. Department of the Treasury Cuba Sanctions website for a full list |
| Inspection | Bags go through an X-ray, and there may be a quick interview process at customs |
| Duty-free exemptions | $200, $800, or $1600, depending on the countries visited |
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What You'll Learn
Declare all purchased merchandise and gifts
When travelling, it is important to declare all purchased merchandise and gifts. This includes anything bought or received as a gift in an insular possession country (American Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands) or any Caribbean Basin Initiative country. These items should be shipped directly to your home address. Save your sales receipts, no matter the language or currency, and pack the items you're declaring separately, perhaps in a carry-on bag, in case officials need to inspect them.
You will need to fill out a declaration form, which you will receive on the plane or in the airport before you arrive at customs. This form requires you to list each item and its cost. Keeping all your purchase receipts in an envelope in your carry-on bag will make this process easier. If you are travelling with your immediate family, you can combine your personal exemptions on one form.
It is always best to declare all items. If you do not declare something that should have been declared, you risk forfeiting the item. Officers have the legal authority to search you, your baggage, and your vehicle. Most bags go through an X-ray, and there is a good chance that any undeclared items will be confiscated.
Even if you are unsure whether an item needs to be declared, it is better to be cautious and declare it. This includes food items, which are often subject to restrictions and can be considered agroterrorism.
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Keep sales receipts
When travelling, it is important to keep sales receipts for anything you have bought or received as a gift. This is particularly important when travelling to or from insular possession countries (American Samoa, Guam, the US Virgin Islands) or Caribbean Basin Initiative countries. Sales receipts should be kept in an envelope in your carry-on bag, as you may be asked to produce them by officials. Keeping receipts handy will make it easier to complete the necessary CBP Declaration Form 6059B, which itemises all purchased merchandise and agricultural products. This form can be completed on a flight or cruise, at a Global Entry kiosk, or at an Automated Passport Control kiosk.
The receipts will be used to verify the items you are declaring, which should be packed separately, preferably in a carry-on bag, in case officials want to inspect them. The receipts will also be used to calculate the duties payable on your newly acquired goods. It is important to note that the duty-free exemptions of $200, $800, or $1600 apply only if the items are for personal or household use or are intended to be given as gifts.
Sales receipts should be kept no matter the language or currency. If you are travelling with your immediate family, you may combine your personal exemptions on one form. It is always better to declare an item than risk forfeiting it.
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Complete a CBP Declaration Form
When travelling to the United States, all travellers must complete a CBP Declaration Form 6059B. This form provides basic information about who you are and what you are bringing into the United States. This includes agricultural and wildlife products, and whether you have visited a farm prior to your travel. If you are travelling with your immediate family, you can complete one form for your entire family.
You can complete the CBP Declaration Form 6059B by obtaining a paper form at the port of entry, on the flight or cruise, or by completing the online form at a Global Entry kiosk (for pre-approved members only) or an Automated Passport Control kiosk. The form requires you to itemize all purchased merchandise and agricultural products, including gifts, and list each item and its cost. It is helpful to keep all purchase receipts in an envelope in your carry-on bag.
If you are returning to the United States, you must declare any items that you are bringing back that you did not have when you left. This includes any merchandise that is being shipped directly to your home from an insular possession country (such as American Samoa, Guam, or the US Virgin Islands) or a Caribbean Basin Initiative country. You should pack these items separately, perhaps in a carry-on bag, and save your sales receipts in case you are asked to produce them.
It is important to declare all items that are required to be declared. If you do not declare something that should have been declared, you risk forfeiting the item. If you are unsure, it is best to declare it.
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Food items and restrictions
When travelling, it's important to be aware of any food-related restrictions or requirements, especially when going through airport security and customs. Here are some key points to keep in mind:
Restrictions on Food Items:
- Fresh fruits and vegetables: Passengers flying from certain locations, such as Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands, may be restricted from carrying most fresh fruits and vegetables. These items must be properly packaged and completely frozen during screening.
- Creamy and liquid foods: Certain creamy or liquid foods, such as peanut butter, olive oil, and salsa, must comply with specific regulations. For carry-on bags, these foods must adhere to the TSA's 3-1-1 rule (3.4 ounces or 100ml container size), or they should be placed in checked luggage.
- Alcoholic beverages: Drinks containing alcohol, including wine, that are over 24% but under 70% alcohol are permitted only in checked luggage, with a limit of five litres per passenger. Mini bottles under 3.4 ounces are allowed in carry-on luggage but cannot be consumed onboard unless served by a crew member.
- Cheese: Soft and creamy cheeses are allowed in carry-on bags if they weigh less than 3.4 ounces.
- Spices: Dried spices are generally permitted in carry-on or checked luggage. Ensure they are clearly labelled and remain unopened to avoid confusion with other substances.
- Other pantry items: Dry items such as pasta, beans, and grains that contain no liquid are allowed in carry-on or checked luggage.
It's important to note that even if a food item is generally permitted, it may still be subject to additional screening or may not be allowed through the security checkpoint if it raises security concerns, appears tampered with, or triggers an alarm during screening. The final decision rests with the TSA officer.
Additionally, when returning from international travel, you must declare any food items or agricultural products you are bringing with you. This includes items purchased, received as gifts, or shipped directly to your home from certain countries. You may need to fill out a customs declaration form and itemize your food purchases, providing details such as cost and quantity. Keeping receipts handy can facilitate this process. Failure to declare items may result in forfeiting them.
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Search procedures and your rights
When entering the United States, travellers must complete a CBP Declaration Form 6059B, itemising all purchased merchandise and agricultural products. This can be done by completing a paper form, obtained at the port of entry, on the flight, or cruise, or by completing an online form at a Global Entry or Automated Passport Control kiosk.
At the border, travellers are likely to encounter Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, and they may encounter Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents. CBP officers have the authority to search travellers, their baggage, and their vehicles, and travellers are required to comply with their requests. If travellers are unhappy with their treatment, they can ask to speak to a CBP supervisor or call the CBP INFO Center.
Officers are not permitted to select travellers for a personal search or secondary inspection based on their religion, race, national origin, gender, ethnicity, or political beliefs. Travellers have the right to wear religious head coverings and, if asked to remove them, they can request to do so in a private area. If travellers do not want a TSA officer to touch their religious head covering, they can request to pat it down themselves under the supervision of a TSA officer.
Travellers may be subjected to additional screening of their property and personal electronic devices, such as laptops and cell phones. While this is a contested legal issue, travellers should be aware that their devices may be searched or confiscated if they do not provide passwords or unlock their devices. U.S. citizens cannot be denied entry for refusing to provide passwords, but visa holders and tourists from visa waiver countries may be denied entry. If a device is confiscated, travellers should obtain a receipt for their property.
If a traveller's property is lost or damaged during the screening process, they may file a claim with the TSA.
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Frequently asked questions
When arriving at your destination airport, you will be asked if you have 'anything to declare'. This means that you need to inform customs of any goods you are bringing into the country that you did not have when you left.
If you do not declare something that should have been declared, you risk forfeiting the item. Officers have the legal authority to search you, your baggage, or your vehicle.
You should declare anything you are bringing into the country that you did not have when you left. This includes gifts and purchased merchandise. Food items are also subject to declaration, although there are some restrictions on bringing food across borders.
You can declare items by filling out a customs declaration form, which is usually provided on the airplane or in the airport 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, along with its cost.
