Roberta Aguirre
When travelling internationally, it is important to be aware of what items need to be declared at customs to avoid fines or other legal consequences. The declaration process doesn't have to be complicated, but it is crucial that it is done correctly. Each country has its own specific rules and regulations regarding what needs to be declared, and it is the responsibility of the traveller to be aware of these.
What to Declare at Airport Customs
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Monetary instruments | Traveller's cheques, money orders, gold coins, cash, cheques, promissory notes, securities or stocks |
| Amount of money | No limit to the amount of money that can be brought across the US border, but if it is more than $10,000, it must be reported |
| Items | Purchases made abroad, including gifts for friends and family, items for personal or household use, or anything else obtained abroad |
| Agricultural products | Fruits and vegetables |
| Alcohol and tobacco | More than one litre of alcohol, 200 cigarettes or 100 cigars |
| Prohibited items | Varies by country; check official government resources for the latest information |
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What You'll Learn
Monetary instruments, including traveller's cheques, cash, and stocks
When travelling to the US, you must declare all monetary instruments, including travellers' cheques, cash, money orders, gold coins, checks, promissory notes, securities, or stocks. This is done by filling out a CBP Declaration Form 6059B, which you will receive on the plane or in the airport before you arrive at the customs area. You can also complete the form at a Global Entry kiosk if you are a pre-approved member, or at an Automated Passport Control kiosk.
There is no limit to the amount of money that can be brought across the US border. However, if you are carrying 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, or by filling out and printing Form FinCen 105 before your trip and presenting it to a CBP officer when you enter or exit the US. Alternatively, you can ask a CBP officer for a paper copy and fill it out at customs.
If you fail to declare more than $10,000 to a CBP officer, you risk confiscation of all currency or monetary instruments. CBP officers are authorised to search you, your baggage, or your vehicle, and they will ask you questions about your trip and your personal background.
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Gifts, including repairs and alterations
When it comes to gifts, repairs, and alterations, there are a few key things to keep in mind when passing through airport customs. Firstly, it is important to understand the difference between dutiable and non-dutiable items. Dutiable items are those on which customs duty may have to be paid, and this includes gifts. The duty rate varies depending on the item's country of origin, place of manufacture, and composition. For instance, if you are entering the United States, you must declare alterations made in a foreign country to a suit you already owned, and any gifts acquired outside the US. American Goods Returned (AGR) are exempt from declaration, but proof of AGR status must be provided to avoid paying duties.
Additionally, if you are travelling to the US and have any repairs, alterations, or additions made to your vehicle, vessel, or aircraft outside of the country, you must declare this work upon your return. This is also true for those entering Canada, where you may have to pay duties and/or taxes on the work done. In some cases, the duties and/or taxes may be levied on the entire value of the vehicle, vessel, or aircraft. To be eligible for a special provision, you must declare the value of all repairs and replacement parts, as well as provide supporting documentation such as insurance or police reports.
It is always better to declare items if you are unsure. Failure to declare items that should have been declared can result in forfeiting them. To facilitate the declaration process, keep all your purchase receipts in an envelope in your carry-on bag. This will allow you to itemize all your purchased merchandise and agricultural products on the necessary customs form. For example, if you are entering the US, you will need to fill out the CBP Declaration Form 6059B, which can be completed online or on paper.
It is worth noting that duty-free exemption limits vary depending on the country or countries visited and the length of stay. These exemptions typically apply to items for personal or household use or intended as gifts. To determine the specific rates that apply to your purchases, it is recommended to contact the relevant customs authority, such as the CBP attaché at the country's U.S. embassy.
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Agricultural products
When travelling, it is important to declare agricultural products at airport customs. This is to ensure that foreign pests and diseases are not introduced into the country. All agricultural items must be declared and are subject to inspection by a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Agriculture Specialist at ports of entry. This includes items such as meats, fresh fruits and vegetables, plants, seeds, soil, and products made from animal or plant materials. Live animals and birds may also be allowed entry, subject to certification, permits, inspection, and quarantine rules.
The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service determines which agricultural products are allowed into the country and which ones are prohibited or restricted. CBP Agriculture Specialists will inspect the items to ensure they are free of pests and diseases. Prohibited items that are not declared will be confiscated and can result in civil penalties for the traveller. These penalties can be up to $1,000 for a first-time offence for non-commercial quantities.
To declare agricultural products, travellers must complete a CBP Declaration Form 6059B and check "Yes" on Question 11. It is recommended to keep receipts and original packaging for agricultural products as proof of their country of origin. Depending on the country of origin, some fruits, vegetables, and plants may be brought in without advance permission, provided they are declared, inspected, and found to be free of pests. However, certain plants and any plant parts intended for growing require a foreign phytosanitary certificate in advance.
It is important to note that the rules and regulations regarding agricultural products may vary depending on the country of entry. Travellers should always check the specific requirements of their destination country before bringing any agricultural products.
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Alcohol and tobacco
When travelling with alcohol and tobacco, it is important to be aware of the regulations and restrictions that apply to your destination country. Here is some information regarding the declaration of alcohol and tobacco at airport customs:
Alcohol:
In the United States, federal regulations allow travellers returning from abroad to bring up to one litre of alcoholic beverages for personal use duty-free. However, quantities exceeding this amount may be brought in, but they will be subject to applicable customs duty and Internal Revenue Tax (IRT). It is important to note that unusual quantities may raise suspicions of commercial use, and travellers may be required to obtain a permit and file a formal entry for the alcohol.
For the European Union, the total allowance for alcoholic drinks can be split according to personal preference. For example, travellers can bring up to four litres of still wine, 16 litres of beer, and either a half-litre of spirits or one litre of fortified wine. Alternatively, they can bring four litres of still wine, 16 litres of beer, and two litres of sparkling wine. It is worth noting that different EU countries may have lower or higher limits, and travellers are advised to check the specific regulations of their destination country.
Tobacco:
In the United States, tobacco products are typically purchased in duty-free stores or foreign stores and are marked as "Tax Exempt. For Use Outside the United States" or "U.S. Tax Exempt For Use Outside the United States". Returning residents are eligible for a duty-free personal exemption, which includes up to 200 cigarettes and 100 cigars, with a frequency of once every 31 days.
For the European Union, each country sets its own guideline values for the quantities of tobacco products that can be brought in. Therefore, travellers are advised to check the specific regulations of their destination country within the EU.
General Advice:
When in doubt about what to declare, it is always best to declare it. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers are authorised to search travellers and their baggage. Failure to declare items that should have been declared may result in forfeiting them. Additionally, keeping purchase receipts handy can ease the declaration process, and travellers may need to provide evidence of the items' origin.
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Duty-free items
Duty-free shops are retail outlets that sell goods without certain local or national taxes and duties. The goods are purchased by travellers who will take them out of the country, and the travellers will then pay the duties and taxes in their destination country.
The types of duty-free items available vary by jurisdiction. Typically, duty-free shops are known for indulgent items such as alcohol, cigarettes, chocolates, and perfumes. However, other items like pricey face serums, luxury goods, and certain foods are also available. For example, the duty-free allowance for alcohol, such as Scotch whisky, from the EU is one litre. It is important to note that some products, mainly certain foods, are illegal to bring into certain countries, such as the United States. For instance, Serrano ham from Spain and soft cheese from France are prohibited from entering the US.
The duty-free exemption limit depends on the country or countries visited and the length of stay. Personal exemptions in the US range from $200 to $1600, while other countries may have different thresholds. In the EU, products purchased between countries are taxable, but items bought while travelling to or from an EU country are eligible for a duty refund, which travellers can apply for.
Some countries have specific duty-free arrangements. For example, some nations, including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, and China, have inbound duty-free facilities, allowing arriving passengers to purchase duty-free items before clearing customs. The European Union does not permit arrival duty-free shops, but some EU airports sell "tax-free" goods in the baggage claim area, which are tax-paid sales with the local sales tax discounted.
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Frequently asked questions
Declaring goods at customs is a way of ensuring the security of a nation's borders. It is also a way of ensuring that the correct taxes and duties are paid on items brought into a country.
As a general rule, anything obtained abroad needs to be declared. This includes purchases, gifts, and anything you inherited. You must also declare any foreign currency and monetary instruments, such as traveller's cheques, money orders, gold coins, cash, cheques, promissory notes, securities or stocks. In some countries, you can bring in an unlimited amount of cash without paying duty, but you must declare amounts over a certain threshold (e.g. $10,000 in the US). Certain goods, such as alcohol and tobacco, may be subject to duty charges if you bring in more than a certain amount. Some items, such as prohibited or restricted goods, may not be allowed in the country at all.
You can declare goods online before you arrive in some countries, or you may receive a declaration form to fill out on the plane or in the airport before you reach the customs area. You will need to list each item and its cost, and you may need to provide receipts as proof of purchase. Keep all the items you are going to declare in one easily accessible place to speed up the process.
If you do not declare something that should have been declared, you may risk forfeiting the item or facing fines.
