You must declare all items you purchased and are carrying with you upon return to the United States, including gifts for other people as well as items you bought for yourself. This includes duty-free items purchased in foreign countries, as well as any merchandise you intend to sell or use in your business.

When entering the U.S., you must declare all items you acquired abroad that you are bringing back into the country. This includes all food items (even packaged snacks, fruits, or meats), which is the most common reason for fines. You must also declare currency exceeding $10,000 (including cash, traveler's checks, and money orders); while there is no limit on how much money you can bring, failing to report it can result in seizure. Other mandatory declarations include commercial merchandise intended for resale, alcohol (usually limited to 1 liter duty-free), and tobacco (up to 200 cigarettes). You must also mention if you have been in close proximity to livestock or farm animals, as this poses a biosecurity risk. In 2026, most of this is handled via the "Global Entry" kiosk or the "Mobile Passport Control" (MPC) app. It is always better to over-declare than under-declare; if an officer finds an undeclared apple in your bag, you could face an immediate $300 to $500 fine and lose your "Trusted Traveler" status forever.