- 1). Complete a customs declaration form for all items that were acquired on your trip. This includes souvenirs, gifts or anything else you acquired after you left the United States. You will typically be provided with a customs declaration form while still in flight, around one hour prior to landing in the United States.
- 2). Calculate import duty due. In most cases, import duty is a percentage of the overall value (declared value) of the item. Import duty fees will be listed by item type on the customs declaration form. Some items have no import duty, while others have duty that is equal to the declared value of the item. As of 2010, people entering the United States may generally bring up to $800 worth of imported goods into the country without paying import duty (the personal exemption). Amount of import duty should be calculated after the personal exemption has been deducted. Family members who are traveling together may combine exemptions as long as they share the same physical address in the United States. Children, including infants, are allowed the full exemption amount that adults are given, but alcohol and cigarette products may not be counted toward a child's exemption.
- 3). Pay the amount of calculated import duty to a licensed customs broker, or directly to the U.S. customs office, upon arriving in the United States. The calculated import duty, which is called the "estimated import duty," is based on your calculations. The amount may be changed later should customs review your import duty, and the amount may be adjusted to a "liquidated import duty." Payment to customs or a licensed customs broker must be made by personal check, money order, traveler's check or bank draft.
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -