What to declare at customs on the way home?

[dvs7310]

Ok, stupid question probably, but I'm not sure what we need to declare to Customs when we come trought the POE? For personal items Denise is bringing into the country, is it just nothing to delcare? Same line I normally go through, or do we actually need to delare her things since she has never lived in the US before?

 

Thanks

[Dean Hall]

Go through the Nothing to Declare (Green Lane)

 

 

 

Don't bring fruits, veggies, or open spices.

 

Anything I bought at the stores in China that was in a sealed bag or container has been allowed.

[mikem]

nothing to declare other then if you bought some gifts such as liquor/gifts and ONLY if over $400.00 value,cost. I have gone through many times with wine and tea andf never questiond of course the value is under the $400 mark., Her clothes are not counted when declaring. and personal items etc do not count.

Mike

[MoonCarolCafe]

IO at POE: "Anything to declare?"

Me: "My undying love for my wife."

[skibum]

That is good Moon. You are a true poet.

 

DVS . You do know you will be given a form to fill out on the plane? I would list the things you are bringing in and then add the values so you can juggle the figures a little if you need to. There is a Customs web site with more info.

[Trigg]

If memeory serves me it is 800$ worth of goodies before you pay duty. This is per family, not per family member. You better make sure but i think it states the amount on the customs form you fill out on the plane.

[JerryL]

Go through the Nothing to Declare (Green Lane)

 

 

 

Don't bring fruits, veggies, or open spices.

 

Anything I bought at the stores in China that was in a sealed bag or container has been allowed.

Also no Peking Ducks, even ones that are vacuum sealed...

 

Jerry

[se_lang]

My customs slips have always been 100% accurate just a little vague to leave room for excuses eg.... Tea/set meaning tea and tea set, so for fruit you could just say ripe ovaries or pre dried seed in natural packing you do not want to lie just remember that.

[mari]

It's funny Jerry, but I almost brought the Peking ducks with me, in the middle of the "chicken illness" last winter, then I realized it would be a terrible error. My bf made me try them and I just love them!!!!

[keelec]

I think we have some people who have shipped significant amounts of stuff. Normally stuff purchased for personal use is not taxed.

 

Someone else had half a household shipped.

 

I have purchased items over the internet for personal use and never had to pay customs (including a new engine for my Fiat which cost 2 or 3 times as much to ship than to purchase )

 

If you do pay customs, it is about 5% or so for most items, thus about the same as a sales tax. I don't know if liquor or Cigs are different.....

 

Somebody said you can by the Cigs very cheaply in China :P

 

----- Clifford -----

[dvs7310]

Yes, you can buy Cigs very cheap in China. My friend asked me to bring him a pack, we paid about 2.6 RMB (about $.30 US)... these were certainly not the most expensive, but not the cheapest either. This was some local Guandong brand.

[skibum]

se lang, if you really brought fruit from China to our country you are taking the chance of ruining a sector of our ag business. This is a no no for a very good reason.

[se_lang]

se lang, if you really brought fruit from China to our country you are taking the chance of ruining a sector of our ag business. This is a no no for a very good reason.

No I have not brought any fruit it is just used as an example. all I ever bring back is tea and gifts.

[JerryL]

On a slightly different tangent, will a non-English speaker have problems getting through customs or luggage inspections? Does anyone have stories they can share?

 

Jerry

[Trigg]

You shouldn't have any problems with language. You will be coming in through an international airport. My wife came through SFO and there was no problem with communication. I have heard that LAX is the same.