Keep in mind U.S. Department of Agriculture regulations: No flowers, fresh fruit, vegetables, or meats are allowed into the country.
Think twice about the things you buy. If they're made from the hides, shells, feathers, or teeth of endangered species, you risk their seizure by government inspectors, and you may face a substantial fine.
For a free copy of Facts About Federal Wildlife Laws, a pamphlet listing restrictions on wildlife products write the Publications Unit, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240, or call (703) 358-1711.
When you re-enter the U.S., you must declare all articles in your possession that you bought or acquired overseas. Flight attendants usually hand out customs forms for passengers to fill out before landing.
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If you have been out of the country for 48 hours or more, the first $400 worth of goods that you bought are exempt from duty and federal tax. (There are exceptions. If you are returning from the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, or Guam, you're entitled to a $1,200 exemption; most Central and South American and Caribbean countries have a $600 exemption.)
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If you have not exceeded the limit, you need not list every item purchased. Beyond the exemption, you must list every item. The next $1,000 worth of goods will be taxed at a flat rate of 10%. All further purchases are taxed at variable rates.
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The U.S. Customs Service publishes the booklet Know Before You Go, Customs Hints for Returning U.S. Residents. Single copies are available free from any local Customs Office, or you may obtain a copy by writing to U.S. Customs Service, P.O. Box 740 7, Washington, D.C. 20044.
Value Added Tax is a national sales tax on retail goods and services.
Each country sets its
own VAT rates, so they differ from country
to country. The average rate is approximately
18%.
Take your passport with you when you shop, so that you can verify your status as a foreign citizen.
Before making a purchase,
ask the sales clerk for a VaT refund form.
Find out if the store charges a fee for making
VaT refunds.
On leaving the country,
go to the airport earlier than usual. Don't
check any luggage containing VaT purchases
until a customs officer has inspected them
and stamped the VaT forms or invoices.
Duty-free stores sell merchandise free of sales taxes and import fees on items made outside the country where they are sold. Remember that duty-free purchases count towards the limit in foreign merchandise that can be brought into the U.S. without paying customs fees.
Whenever possible, carry your purchases with you on your return flight. This will avoid shipping costs, delays, and damage to your merchandise.
If you find you must ship large or bulky items, remember to obtain a shipping agreement in writing that states insurance fees, the total shipping fees, method of shipping, carrier, and port of entry into the U.S. (Shipping charges often apply only to delivery to the port of entry, not directly to your home or office. If so, you will have to arrange for a freight forwarder to pick up your merchandise from the port and deliver it to you.)
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