What is declaring something at customs?

A Customs Declaration is the process of declaring the items you ship across international borders. Items shipped across international borders are generally subject to import/export taxes, customs duties, and fees. Warning: When declaring items, it is critical that you are not vague in describing your item.



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How the U.S. Customs Service Works
  • Anything you bought (including from duty-free shops or on a ship or airplane)
  • Anything you inherited or received as a gift (you'll have to estimate the fair market price of the gift)
  • Anything you brought home for a friend.
  • Anything you plan to use or sell in your business.


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Merchandise is declared to CBP. If you do not declare something that should have been declared, you risk forfeiting the item. If in doubt, declare it. You are returning from an overseas stay of at least 48 hours.

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You do not have to declare jewelry that you own, travelled with and are returning to the US still carrying/wearing. However, if you bought a watch or jewelry while you were abroad, you must declare it but that doesn't mean you have to pay taxes on it. What is a reasonable amount of jewelry for a man to wear?

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If a passenger says they have nothing to declare, they then risk a fine for failing to declare something which customs officer then identify is liable to tax or is illegal. The fine will be in addition to any customs duty payable. Ignorance is no defence in law.

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International travelers entering the United States must declare if they are carrying currency or monetary instruments in a combined amount over $10,000 on their Customs Declaration Form (CBP Form 6059B) and then file a FinCEN Form 105.

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1. It usually takes less than 20 minutes to get through customs.

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