After passing through the immigration area, you will collect your
baggage and then, with your baggage, pass through customs. A customs
inspector will ask you to declare what you have brought into the
country, inspect your bags, and review the customs form you filled
out on the airplane. Penalties for concealing declarable items can
be very severe, so be honest and make a full declaration.
Items for your personal use may be brought into the United States
without paying duty. As a nonresident, you are also allowed to bring
in gifts with a total value up to $100 duty free. If the total value
of such items exceeds $100, you will need to pay duty.
You must declare the amount of money you have with you, but you do
not have to pay duty on it. Money in any amount may be brought into
and taken out of the United States, but anyone bringing more than
$10,000 into the country must file a report with the customs
official.
Certain articles are forbidden or restricted. These include plants,
fruits, meats, vegetables, clothing made from the skins of
endangered animals, ivory, lottery tickets, obscene articles or
publications, and switchblade knives. Drugs without a doctor's
prescription or narcotics, such as barbiturates, amphetamines, and
marijuana, are strictly prohibited. |
