Houston - Importing your goods

Duty exemptions for household and personal effects
You may import furniture, dishes, linens, libraries, artwork and similar household furnishings for your personal use free of duty. To be eligible for duty-free exemption, the articles must have either been available for your use, or used in a household, where you were a resident for one year. The year of use does not need to be continuous, nor does it need to be the year immediately before the date of importation.

Personal and household effects entitled to duty-free entry need not accompany you to the United States; you may have them shipped to your U.S. address at a later time if you choose.

Your shipment of personal and/or household goods must be cleared through Customs at its first port of arrival, unless you have made arrangements with a foreign freight forwarder to have your effects sent in Customs custody in-bond from the port of arrival to a more convenient port of entry for clearance (ask your moving company if they offer this service). 

Customs will not notify you that your goods have arrived. It is essential that the carrier notify you that your goods have arrived in port - otherwise after 15 days, they will be taken to a general order warehouse and may be sold at auction after six months. 

When you come to Customs to enter your goods, you must complete Customs Form 3299, "Declaration for Free Entry of Unaccompanied Articles", to give to the Customs officer. If you cannot come to the Customs office yourself, you may designate a friend or relative to represent you in Customs matters. You must give that person a letter addressed to "Officer in Charge of Customs"authorizing that individual to represent you as your agent on a one-time basis to clear your shipment through Customs.

Goods that accompany you  - Household and personal effects that arrive in the U.S. on the same vessel, vehicle or aircraft and on the same day that you do, are considered to accompany you. Articles that are shipped as freight on a bill of landing or airway bill are also considered to accompany you when the baggage arrives in the US on the same conveyance that you arrive on. You must complete Customs Form 6059B - "Customs Declaration" -  listing all  items with their value that you are bringing into the United States with you. Identify those you believe are entitled to duty-free entry, based on the information in  this publication. Explain your status to the Customs Inspector and ask any questions that you may have before the inspection of your belongings begins.

Goods shipped separately - Household effects entitled to duty-free entry do not need to accompany you to the United States; you may have them shipped to your US address at a later time if you choose. Your shipment of personal and/or household goods must be cleared through Customs at their first port of arrival unless you have made arrangements with a foreign freight forwarder to have your effects sent in Customs custody in-bond from the port of arrival to a more convenient port of entry for clearance (ask your moving company if it offers this service).

Customs will not notify you that your goods have arrived. It is the responsibility of the shipper to notify you of the arrival of your goods. After receiving this notification, you must enter the merchandise. Failure to enter the merchandise within 15 days after its arrival in port may result in the merchandise
being moved to a general order warehouse. Failure to obtain that merchandise from the general order warehouse within six months may result in its sale. 

When you come to Customs to enter your goods, you must complete Customs Form  3299, "Declaration for Free Entry of Unaccompanied Articles", to give to the Customs officer. If you cannot come to the Customs office yourself, you may designate a friend or relative to represent you in Customs matters. 
You must give that person a letter addressed to "Officer in Charge of Customs"authorizing that individual to represent you as your agent on a one-time basis to clear your shipment through Customs.

Vocabulary 

Household effects  - Household effects are furniture, dishes, linens, libraries, artwork and similar household furnishings for your personal use. The articles must have either been available for your use or used in a household where you were a resident for at least one year, and are not intended for any other  person or for sale. The year of use does not need to be continuous, nor does it need to be the year immediately before the date of  importation.

Personal effects - Personal effects are items that belong to - and are used by - one person, such as wearing apparel, jewelry, photographic equipment and tape recorders. They cannot be entered as household effects.

Inherited goods - Inherited goods imported into the United States cannot be brought in duty-free as household or personal effects unless they meet the following criteria:
- they are antiques (over 100 years old) and you have documentation to  prove this.
- they were available for your use in a household where you resided for at least a year prior to your moving to the United States, for example, they were in your parents' house while you were growing up.
Even if the above conditions do not apply to your inherited goods, because most inherited goods are used, the amount of duty assessed will most likely be small.

Prohibited restricted goods

The importation of certain classes of merchandise is prohibited or restricted, in order to protect community health, to preserve domestic plant and animal life and for other reasons.
Should you attempt to bring in merchandise that is prohibited by law, it will be seized and you may be liable for a personal penalty.

Office of Foreign Assets Control
Tel: + 1 (202) 622 2490
Contact the Office of Foreign Assets Control with specific questions or concerns, or visit OFAC's website.

Prohibited articles include:
- liquor-filled candies
- absinthe
- lottery tickets
- narcotics and dangerous drugs
- drug paraphernalia
- obscene articles and publications
- seditious and treasonable materials
- hazardous articles (e.g. fireworks, dangerous toys, toxic or poisonous substances)
- products made by prison convicts or forced labor
- knives or any sharp objects
- Cuban cigars  are generally prohibied

Merchandise that is prohibited from entry into the United States will be seized. Merchandise that is restricted from entry into the United States may be released after inspection by the Government Agency that imposed the restrictions, or detained until the conditions attached to the restrictions are met. The importer of prohibited or restricted merchandise may be liable for a personal penalty, and the merchandise may be confiscated.

U.S. trade sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) generally prohibit the importation into the United States (including U.S. territories), either directly or indirectly, of most goods, technology or services (except information and informational materials) from, or which originated from these countries. Due to a constant change in the international political scenario to have the updated list of the countries check the OFAC website

Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control has amended the Iranian Transactions Regulations, 31 CFR part 560, to authorize the importation into the United States of, and dealings in, certain Iranian-origin foodstuffs and carpets and related transactions. 

Section 560.534(a) of this final rule authorizes the importation of Iranian-origin foodstuffs intended for human consumption that are classified under chapters 2-23 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS). Items that are classified in chapters 2-23 of the HTS that are not foodstuffs intended for human consumption are not authorized for importation into the United States by this section.

This final rule also authorizes the importation into the United States of Iranian-origin carpets and other textile floor coverings and carpets used as wall hangings that are classified under chapter 57 or heading 9706.00.00.60 of the HTS.  Items that are classified under heading 9706.00.00.60 ("Antiques of an age exceeding one hundred years/Other") that are not carpets and other textile floor coverings or carpets used as wall hangings are not authorized for importation into the United States by this section.Import restrictions imposed against sanctions targets vary by program. 

Biological materials  - Biological materials of public health or veterinary importance (disease organisms and vectors for research and educational purposes) require import permits. 
Write to the Foreign Quarantine Program, U.S. Public Health Service, Center for Disease Control, Atlanta, Ga. 30333.

Firearms and ammunition  
Firearms and ammunition are subject to restrictions and import permits. The importation of fully automatic weapons and semi-automatic assault-type weapons is prohibited. Generally, firearms and ammunition acquired abroad may be imported, but only under permit. For complete information, write to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Department of the Treasury, Firearms and Explosives Import Branch, Washington, DC 20226. That agency will furnish permit applications and answer inquiries about the Gun Control Act of 1968. 

Firearms and ammunition previously taken out of and returned to the United States by the same person may be released upon presentation to U.S. Customs of adequate proof of prior possession, i.e. bill of sale, household goods inventory showing serial number or Customs registration forms 4455 or 4457.

Food and dairy products  
Bakery items and all cured cheeses are admissible. The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) leaflet, Travelers' Tips, provides detailed information on bringing food, plant and animal products into the United States. Imported foods are also subject to requirements of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Foods not approved by the FDA may not be entered into the United States.

Fruits, plants, vegetables, cuttings, seeds, unprocessed plant products and certain endangered species of plants are either prohibited from entering the country or require an import permit. Canned or processed items are admissible.

Gold 
Gold coins, medals and bullion - formerly prohibited - may be brought into the United States. However, copies of gold coins are prohibited if not properly marked. Since the importation of counterfeit coins is prohibited.

Meats, livestock, poultry 
Meats, livestock, poultry and their by-products, such as paté and sausage are either prohibited or restricted from entering the United States, depending upon the animal disease conditions in the country of origin. This includes fresh, frozen, dried, cured, cooked or canned items. Commercially labeled, cooked, canned meats, that do not require refrigeration and are hermetically sealed, may be brought into the United States.

Medicine/narcotics  
Narcotics and dangerous drugs are prohibited entry and there are severe penalties if  imported. A traveler requiring medications containing habit-forming drugs or narcotics (e.g. cough medicines, tranquilizers, sleeping pills, depressants, stimulants etc.) should:

• Have all drugs, medicinals, and similar products properly identified. Carry only the quantity that an individual having  some sort of health problem might normally carry.
• Have either a prescription or written statement from his personal physician,  that the medicinals are being used under a doctor's direction and are necessary for the traveler's physical well being while traveling. 

Drugs not approved by the Food and Drug Administration may not be imported into the United States.

Money  
There is no limitation in terms of total amount of monetary instruments which may be brought into or taken out of the United States. 
Monetary instruments include U.S. or foreign coins, currency, traveler's checks, money orders and negotiable instruments or investment securities in bearer form. 
If you do transport, or cause to be transported, by mail or other means, more than  $10,000 in monetary instruments on any occasion into or out of the United States, or if you receive more than that amount, you must file a report (Customs Form 4790) with U.S. Customs (Currency & Foreign Transactions Reporting Act, 31 U.S.C. 1101, etseq.). 
Failure to do so can result in civil and criminal penalties.

Pets  
There are controls, restrictions and prohibitions on the entry of animals, birds, turtles, wildlife and endangered species.  Cats and dogs must be free of evidence of diseases communicable to man. 
Vaccination against rabies is not required for cats or for dogs arriving from rabies-free countries. 
Personally owned pet birds may be entered (limit of two if of the Psittacine family), but Animal & Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS) and Public Health Service requirements must be met, including quarantine at any APHIS facility at specified  locations, at the owner's expense. 

Reservations in advance are required.  Primates, such as monkeys, apes and similar animals, may not be imported.  If you plan to take your pet abroad or import one on your return, obtain a copy the  brochure 'Pets and Wildlife'.

To download the Form for import, export and re-export of your pet click here

Wildlife, fish, plants 
Wildlife, fish and plants are subject to certain import and export restrictions, prohibitions, permits or certificates and quarantine requirements. This includes:
- Wild birds, mammals (including marine mammals), reptiles, crustaceans, fish and mollusks
- Any part or product, such as skins, feathers, eggs
- Products and articles manufactured from wildlife and fish. 
- Endangered species of wildlife and plants, including products made from them,  may be prohibited from being imported or exported, as appropriate. If you are considering purchasing articles made from wildlife, such as tortoise shell jewelry, leather goods, articles made from whalebone, ivory, skins or fur.

If you have a question that is not answered by the information here you may write to:

U.S. Customs Service
PO Box 7407
Washington
D.C.  20044
USA

For additional information, contact the

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Department of the Interior
Washington
D.C. 20240
USA

Professional equipment/tools of trade  
If your professional equipment or tools of trade were acquired abroad they are not entitled to duty-free consideration, unless they were in your possession for one year prior to your return to the United States. 

If they were in your possession when you moved abroad, and are being brought back in connection with your return to the U.S. they are exempt from duty.

Liquor, tobacco
You may bring in one liter of alcoholic beverages, free of duty and internal revenue tax if you are at least 21 years of age, it is for your own use or for a gift and it is not in violation of the laws of the state in which you arrive. Alcoholic beverages beyond the one-liter limitation are subject to duty and Internal
Revenue tax. 

Up to 100 cigars and 200 cigarettes (one carton) may be included in your exemption. Tobacco products of Cuban origin are prohibited unless acquired in Cuba by persons authorized by the State Department to travel to Cuba.

Gifts
Bona fide gifts may be mailed to friends and relatives in the U.S. free of duty and tax as long as the same person does not receive more than $100 (or $200 if from American Samoa, U.S. Virgin Islands, or Guam) in gift shipments per day. 
If you are bringing gifts with you, the exemption is
- $400 in merchandise acquired abroad
- $600 from Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act countries
- $1200 from American Samoa, U.S. Virgin Islands or Guam. 
The exemption includes both gifts and other items for personal use. Gifts must be included in the declaration of the donor when he returns to the United States. 
Gifts are not considered as part of household and personal effects.
Alcoholic beverages, cigars, and cigarettes are not included in this exemption from duty. 
Gifts that exceed the $100 or $200 retail value will be subject to Customs duty based on the entire value of the gift or gifts. There is no exemption.

Part-time residents  
Part-time residents are usually students attending school in one country and spending the rest of the year in another, "snowbirds" (seasonal residents), or residents who maintain a household in a foreign country as well as one in the United States. 

If you are a part-time resident, any goods you wish to import into your U.S. residence must have been in your foreign residence for at least one year prior to their importation into the U.S. to qualify for duty-free importation. 

Since part-time residents are either returning residents or nonresidents, please see the requirements for returning residents starting on page X and for nonresidents starting on page X.

General Procedures for Importing Household and Personal Effects  
When completing the Customs Form (CF) 6059B - "Customs Declaration" - for accompanying goods, or the CF 3299 - "Declaration For Free Entry of Unaccompanied Article information.
The complete inventory of imported goods will be treated as the packing list and must be provided to Customs upon request.

The following is an example of an invoice description:

Furniture: Tables, chairs, sofas, bedroom, home/office and living room furniture,desks, lamps, mirrors etc.

Kitchenware: Silverware, glassware, chinaware, pots, pans, utensils, electrical kitchen appliances etc.

Household goods: Linens, towels, rugs, toiletries, cleaning products, decorative articles, art, framed pictures, toys, strollers, crafts, holiday decorations, fans, washers, dryers, VCR's, TV's, stereos, records, collectibles etc.

Sport equipment: (NO FIREARMS!) Bicycles, weights, stationary equipment, skis, skates, surfboards etc. 

Clothes: For women, men, boys, girls, and infants

Books/printed materials: Books, calendars, personal records, photo albums etc.

Home/office equipment/tools of trade: Computers (CPU, monitor, printer, software etc.), filing cabinets, shredders, fax machines, telephone equipment, calculators, books etc.

Other personal effects : Item(s) not covered by previous categories should be individually described

The quantity on the invoice must, at minimum, provide the count in boxes, crates or pieces. This information is required for the efficient completion of Customs document review and examination.

    NOTE: To safeguard against the importation of dangerous pests, the U.S. Department
    of Agriculture prohibits solid wood packing materials from China unless they have
    been fumigated and have appropriate documentation.

Report Drug Smuggling to the

• U.S. Customs Service
  Tel: 1-800-BE-ALERT
  website: http://www.custom.ustreas.gov/

Books, video tapes, computer programs and cassettes
Pirated copies of copyrighted articles (unlawfully made reproductions or articles produced without the copyright owner's authorization, e.g. music CD's, toys, clothing with cartoon characters etc.) are prohibited from importation into the United States.
Pirated copies will be seized and destroyed.

General rules for liquor and tobacco

For further information contact:

• Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms
  Alcohol Import-Export Branch
  650 Massachusetts Ave, NW
  Washington
  DC 20226
  USA
  Tel:  + 1 (202) 927 8110
  Fax: + 1 (202) 927 8605
• U.S. Customs Service
  Commercial Rulings Division
  Office of Regulations and Ruling
  1300 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
  Washington
  DC 20229
  USA
  Tel: + 1 (202) 927 2244

Difference between Nonresidents/First-Time Immigrants and Returning Residents

The requirements for the importation of alcohol, tobacco, automobiles and gifts by nonresidents/first-time immigrants are different from those for returning residents. Please see the following sections for specific details.

First-time immigrants to the United States are considered to be nonresidents the first time they enter the United States. Every time thereafter, they are considered to be returning residents as long as they have their Immigration and Naturalization Service form I-551, residency visa, a.k.a. "Green Card".

Duty exemptions for household and personal effects
You may import furniture, dishes, linens, libraries, artwork and similar household furnishings for your personal use free of duty. To be eligible for duty-free exemption, the articles must have either been available for your use, or used in a household, where you were a resident for one year. The year of use
does not need to be continuous, nor does it need to be the year immediately before the date of importation. 

Personal and household effects entitled to duty-free entry need not accompany you to the United States; you may have them shipped to your U.S. address at a later time if you choose.

Your shipment of personal and/or household goods must be cleared through Customs at its first port of arrival, unless you have made arrangements with a foreign freight forwarder to have your effects sent in Customs custody in-bond from the port of arrival to a more convenient port of entry for clearance (ask your moving company if they offer this service). 

Household effects from the country where these effects were used, and meeting the above criteria, may be entered into the United States duty-free within 10 years after your initial arrival in the United States as a legal resident. 

Personal effects may be shipped or mailed to you at a later date. The package should be marked "Used Personal Effects" and must have been in your possession prior to your entry into the United States. Anything included in the package that is new may be dutiable.

Professional equipment
A person emigrating to the United States may enter professional books, implements  instruments and tools of trade, occupation or employment free of duty, if the articles were owned and used abroad. These items do not need to have been in your possession for one year prior to importation, but they must be imported for your use and not for sale. Theatrical scenery, properties or apparel and articles for use in any manufacturing establishment are not eligible for this exemption.

Importing your automobile or other vehicle 
Nonresidents/first-time immigrants may temporarily import a vehicle duty-free for personal use if the vehicle is imported in connection with the owner's arrival. Vehicles do not need to accompany the owner, but should arrive in the U.S. at approximately the same time, at least within a few weeks. If a delay of more than a few weeks should occur, the importer must prove that the delay was justified. Vehicles are defined as an automobile, trailer, airplane, motorcycle, boat or similar vehicle. Vehicles that don't conform to U.S. safety and emission standards must be exported within one year and may not be sold in the United States.  There is no exemption or extension of the export requirement.  Conforming vehicles imported under the duty-free exemption are dutiable if sold within one year of importation. Duty must be paid at the most conveniently located Customs office before the sale is completed.  Conforming vehicles imported that way may remain in the U.S. indefinitely, once a formal entry is made for EPA purposes. 

Foreign-made vehicles not in your possession before you leave your foreign residence and imported into the U.S., whether new or used, (i.e. ordered for direct delivery to your U.S. residence, either for personal use or for sale) are generally dutiable at the following rates:

    Autos......................................2.5% 
    Trucks....................................25% 
    Motorcycles, mopeds
    up to 700 cc...........................Free
    700 to 970 cc.........................2.4%
    over 970 cc............................Free
    Trailers...................................Free. 

Duty rates are based on the market value of the vehicle and those rates are subject to change on an annual basis.

Liquor, tobacco
You may bring in one liter of alcoholic beverages, free of duty and internal revenue tax if you are at least 21 years of age, it is for your own use or for a gift and it is not in violation of the laws of the state in which you arrive. Alcoholic beverages beyond the one-liter limitation are subject to duty and Internal
Revenue tax. 
You may also include in your personal exemption not more than 200 cigarettes (one carton) or 50 cigars or 2 kilograms (4.4 lbs.) of smoking tobacco or proportional amounts of each. Cigars of Cuban origin are prohibited. 

Firearms and Ammunition
Firearms and ammunition are subject to restrictions and import permits. The importation of fully automatic weapons and semi-automatic assault-type weapons is prohibited. Generally, firearms and ammunition acquired abroad may be imported, but only under permit. For complete information, write to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Department of the Treasury, Firearms and Explosives Import Branch,  Washington, DC 20226. That agency will furnish permit applications and answer inquiries about the Gun Control Act of 1968. 

Gifts
Nonresidents are allowed up to $100 (or $200 if from American Samoa, U.S. Virgin Islands, or Guam) worth of merchandise, free of duty and internal revenue tax, as gifts for other people. These gifts must be included in your declaration and must accompany you.  Gifts are not considered as part of household and personal effects.  Nonresidents can include cigars in their $100 gift exemption, but may not include
cigarettes or alcohol. 
Gifts originating from countries currently under sanctions with the U.S. (see Prohibited and Restricted Importation's section on page X) may not be eligible for the $100 gift exemption (example: Iraq).  To ensure that gifts are eligible for the $100 exemption, questions should be referred to the Office of Foreign Assets Control at: Tel. 202-622-2480.

Trademarked articles 

U.S. Customs enforces laws relating to the protection of trademarks and copyrights. Articles that infringe a trademark or copyright, which is use of the protected right, without authorization of the trademark or copyright owner, are subject to detention and seizure.

Additionally, the importation of articles bearing counterfeit marks may subject an individual to a civil monetary penalty. Articles bearing marks that are confusingly similar to a registered trademark and gray market articles (genuine articles not intended for importation into the Unites States) may be subject to detention and seizure.

Passengers arriving into the United States are permitted to import an article, which must accompany the person, bearing a counterfeit, confusingly similar, or restricted gray market trademark, provided that the article is for personal use and not for sale.

The arriving passenger may retain an article of each of the above types, accompanying the person. If the article imported under the personal exemption provision is sold within one year after the date of importation, the article or its value is subject to forfeiture.

With regard to copyright infringement, articles that are determined to be clearly piratical of a registered copyright are subject to seizure. Articles that are determined to be possibly piratical may be subject to detention and possible seizure. 

The types of articles usually of interest to travelers are:  
- Lenses, cameras, binoculars, optical goods 
- Tape recorders, CD players, musical instruments
- Jewelry, precious metalware 
- Perfumes 
- Watches and clocks 
- Clothing

Cultural artifacts and cultural property  
Most countries have laws that protect their cultural property (art/artifacts/antiquities; archaeological and ethnological material are also terms that are used).  Such laws include export controls and/or national ownership of cultural property. Even if purchased from a business in the country of origin or in another country, legal ownership of such artifacts may be in question if brought into the United States. 

Make certain you have documents such as export permits and receipts - although these do not necessarily confer ownership.  While foreign laws may not be enforceable in the U.S., they can cause certain U.S. laws to be invoked. For example, as a general rule, under the U.S. National Stolen Property Act, one cannot have legal title to art/artifacts/antiquities that were stolen, no matter how many times such items may have changed hands. Articles of stolen cultural property (from museums or from religious or secular public monuments) originating in any of the countries party to the 1970 UNESCO Convention may not be imported into the United States.

Forbidden Items

In addition, U.S. law may restrict importation into the U.S. of specific categories of art/artifacts/antiquities. U.S. law specifically restricts the importation of any Pre-Columbian monumental and architectural sculpture and murals from Central and South American countries.
- Native American artifacts from Canada
- Maya pre-Columbian archaeological objects from Guatemala
- Pre-Columbian archaeological objects from El Salvador and Peru
- archaeological objects (such as terracotta statues) from Mali
- Colonial period objects such as paintings and ritual objects from Peru
- Byzantine period ritual and ecclesiastic objects (such as icons) from Cyprus
- Khmer stone archaeological sculptures from Cambodia

The Importation of items such as those above is permitted only when the items are accompanied by an export permit issued by the country of origin (where such items were first found), or if you came into possession of them before the treaties were signed. Purveyors of such items have been known to offer phony export certificates. As additional U.S. import restrictions may be imposed in response to requests from other countries, it is wise for the prospective purchaser to visit the State Department's Cultural Property website: http://e.usia.gov/edu/education/culprop/ . This website also has images representative of the categories of cultural property for which there are specific U.S. import restrictions.