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USA Customs, Currency & Airport Tax regulations

details

Customs

Import regulations:

Articles from certain countries are given special duty preferences when imported into the USA. Contact the US
International Trade Commission or US representations abroad for more information.
Residents :
1. Returning residents of the USA can import up to USD 800.- worth of articles acquired abroad free of duty, if their
stay abroad was at least 48 hours and their duty-free exemption was not used in the preceding 30 days (see 3. below -
"If not entitled").
For arrivals directly from American Samoa, Guam or the US Virgin Islands: duty-free exemption of max. USD 1600.-
(of which max. USD 800.- may be acquired elsewhere than in these islands).
The duty-free allowances may include the following maximum quantities of:
a. Tobacco products: 200 cigarettes, a reasonable amount of tobacco and 100 cigars. For arrivals from the US Virgin
Islands, Guam or American Samoa: 1000 cigarettes, not more than 200 of which may be acquired elsewhere than in
these islands.
b. persons of 21 years or older: 1 US quart of alcoholic beverages . For arrivals from the US Virgin Islands, Guam or
American Samoa: 1 US gallon, not more than 1 quart of which may be acquired elsewhere than on these islands.
c. Perfumes, lotions, Eau de Cologne, etc. if not under a trade mark restriction recorded in the US Treasury
Department (importation of one trademarked article per passenger will usually be allowed, unless the trade mark
owner has authorized a greater number of imports of its article).
d. Other goods for personal use.
Above exemptions are also applicable if shipped as cargo and arriving by same aircraft as owner.
2. Members of a family residing in one household returning together to the USA may group articles acquired, for
application of the flat duty rate. For example, an eligible family of four would have their articles grouped for a total of
USD 3,200.- fair retail value for entry at the flat rate of duty.
3. If not entitled to the USD 600.-, USD 800.- or USD 1200.- exemption (because the exemption was previously used
within the past 30 days or stay outside the USA was less than 48 hours), articles with max. value of USD 50.- may be
imported, including max. 50 cigarettes or 10 cigars or 4 ounces of alcoholic beverages (age: 21 years or older) or 4
ounces of alcoholic perfume. This USD 50.- exemption may not be grouped together for members of a family. If the
USD 50.- value is exceeded, the whole quantity is dutiable.
4. Non-commercial import of goods with max. value of USD 800.- from Cambodia, Cuba, Korea (Dem. People's
Rep.) and Viet Nam is allowed if:
- the USD 800.- allowance is used max. once per 6 months;
- the goods are purchased in that country;
- they are for personal use and not for resale; and
- carried by the traveler.
Note: Articles from Cambodia, Cuba, Korea (Dem. People's Rep.) and Viet Nam imported from other countries may
still be restricted.
Import of Cuban alcohol and/or tabacco products acquired in Cuba for personal use is allowed in accompanied
baggage.
5. USA residents returning from American Samoa, Guam or the Virgin Isl. (USA) may apply their personal duty-free
exemption to articles acquired in, and sent directly from, these islands.

Persons returning to resume residency in the USA after travel, work or studies abroad are considered returning
residents by the US Customs.

Mexico and the Virgin Isl. (USA) are exempt from the 48-hour minimum time requirements.

State restrictions: Quantities in excess of one US quart of alcoholic beverages per person imported into certain states
are subject to local state taxes. For more information, contact the Distilled Spirits Council of the USA.

Non-residents can import the following articles for personal use free of duty:
a. 100 cigars or 200 cigarettes or 4.4 lbs.(2 kg) of smoking tobacco (persons of 21 years or older), or combination

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IATA - USA Customs, Currency & Airport Tax regulations details https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/US-USA-customs-currency-airport-ta...

thereof;
b. 1 US quart of alcoholic beverages (persons of 21 years or older);
In addition, each non-resident (incl. minors) can import gifts of max. value of USD 100.- free of duty, once per 6
months, if their stay in the USA is not less than 72 hours.

State restrictions: Quantities in excess of one US quart of alcoholic beverages per person imported into certain states
are subject to local state taxes. For more information, contact the Distilled Spirits Council of the USA.

Alcoholic beverages and cigarettes may not be included in the USD 100.- gift exemption. If not entitled for the USD
100.- gift exemption, articles not exceeding a value of USD 50.- may imported, including max. 100 cigars or 3 lbs. of
tobacco. The USD 50.- exemption may not be grouped together for members of a family.

Prohibited:
1. Narcotics, marijuana, dangerous drugs, absinthe (and any other liquor containing artemisia absinthium).
2. Fresh, dried or canned meat or meat products, plants , seeds (incl. rice, soybeans and chickpeas), vegetables, fruits,
soil, live insects, snails and other living plant or animal pests.
3. Unprocessed pork products and pork byproducts from the Dominican Rep. and Haiti.
4. Fish - unless certified as disease-free - including salmon and trout, or their eggs, if not canned, pickled or smoked
may not be imported from anywhere except North America.
5. Goods from Iran and leather souvenirs from Haiti (e.g. drums).
6. Wildlife, fish and their products are subject to restrictions. Articles manufactured from wildlife such as clothing
(i.e. leopard skin coats, crocodile shoes etc.), purses, carvings, etc. are prohibited.
7. Dairy products and eggs from certain countries.
For more information contact the US Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife or US representations overseas.
8. Lighters without fuel are permitted in checked baggage or max. 2 lighters with fuel if properly enclosed in a
Department of Transportation (DOT) approved case.
9. Matches in checked baggage. One book of safety (non-strike anywhere) matches is permitted as carry-on items.

Small quantities of pest-free cut flowers without soil are generally allowed. Certain plants, plant products and seeds
are admissible with an import permit. For more information contact the US Dept. of Agriculture, Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service (APHIS), National Center for Import and Export.

Arms and Ammunition regulations:

Import permit is required. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) regulates the importation
of firearms. For further details please refer to www.atf.gov.
If importing arms and/or ammunition into the US Virgin Isl.: passengers must contact the Firearms Unit of the US
Virgin Isl. Police Department prior to arrival at www.vipd.gov.vi. Tel: 1-340-776-1525.

Wild Fauna and Flora:

For detailed information see https://www.fws.gov/ .

Export regulations:

Free export of an unlimited quantity of tobacco products and alcoholic beverages.

Pets:

Cats and dogs must be healthy on arrival and are inspected by quarantine officer at port of arrival. If they appear to be
sick, the owner must pay for the veterinarian for further examination of the animal.
Cats must older than 7 weeks on arrival.

Dogs arriving from rabies free countries or countries with low risk:
- must be older than 7 weeks;
- must have a written or verbal statement that the dogs have lived in a rabies free country or in a low risk country for
at least 6 months or since birth if under 6 months of age. The written statement must be in English or have a certified
English translation;
- rabies vaccination is not required.

Dogs arriving from rabies high-risk countries:

CDC’s temporary suspension for dogs imported from rabies high-risk countries has been extended through 31 July,
2024.
During the temporary suspension, options for bringing dogs that have been in a high-risk country for rabies within the
past 6 months will depend on where the dogs’ rabies vaccinations were administered, and the number of dogs being
imported.

All dogs from high-risk countries must:

- appear healthy on arrival;
- be at least 6 months or older;
- have a valid CDC Rabies Vaccination and Microchip Record (RVMR) or U.S.-issued rabies vaccination certificate.
First rabies vaccine must be obtained between 12 weeks and 28 days of age before arrival in the USA. Rabies booster
vaccines received after 15 months of age are valid immediately;
- have an ISO-compatible microchip for identification listed on their U.S. rabies vaccination certificate or CDC
Rabies Vaccination and Microchip record;
- meet the requirements of either option A., B. or C. below.

Option A:
Dogs vaccinated in the USA must:

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- have a U.S.-issued rabies vaccination certificate or a CDC Rabies vaccination and Microchip;
- arrive at one of the following airports with a CDC quarantine station: Anchorage (ANC), Atlanta (ATL), Boston
(BOS), Chicago (ORD), Dallas (DFW), Detroit (DTW), Honolulu (HNL), Houston (IAH), Los Angeles (LAX),
Miami (MIA), Minneapolis (MSP), New York: John F Kennedy Intl (JFK) and Newark Liberty Intl (EWR),
Philadelphia (PHL), San Francisco (SFO), San Juan (SJU), Seattle (SEA) or Washington-Dulles (IAD).

Option B:
Dogs vaccinated outside the USA must:
- have a CDC Dog Import Permit;
- have a CDC Rabies vaccination and Microchip Record;
- have a rabies serologic titer from an approved laboratory;
- arrive at one of the following airports with a CDC quarantine station: Anchorage (ANC), Atlanta (ATL), Boston
(BOS), Chicago (ORD), Dallas (DFW), Detroit (DTW), Honolulu (HNL), Houston (IAH), Los Angeles (LAX),
Miami (MIA), Minneapolis (MSP), New York: John F Kennedy Intl (JFK) and Newark Liberty Intl (EWR),
Philadelphia (PHL), San Francisco (SFO), San Juan (SJU), Seattle (SEA) or Washington-Dulles (IAD).

Option C:
Dogs without a U.S.-issued rabies vaccination certificate or a CDC Dog Import Permit must:
- have a CDC Rabies Vaccination and Microchip record;
- have a rabies serologic titer from an approved laboratory;
- have a reservation at one of the CDC-approved animal care facilities;
- arrive at the port of entry where the CDC-approved animal care facility is located.

For more information, see www.cdc.gov/importation (bringing an animal into the U.S.). Questions may be sent to
CDCanimalimports@cdc.gov .

Dogs arriving from countries affected with screwworm, see www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel/bring-pet-into-

the-united-states/dog-import-pets :
must be accompanied by a certificate issued by an official veterinarian of the country of origin stating:
- the dog has been inspected for screwworm within 5 days prior to shipment to the United States; and
- the dog is either free from screwworm OR
- the dog was infected with screwworm, held in quarantine, and treated until free from screwworm prior to leaving the
region.

Pets entering Hawaii (including special aid dogs) and cats must undergo a mandatory 120 day quarantine period in the
State Animal Quarantine Station. Only if specific requirements are met, animals can qualify for a 30-day quarantine
period or the "5-days-or-less" quarantine program (for details see website: http://hawaii.gov/hdoa).
The Dog and Cat Import Form AQS-279 must have been submitted to the Animal Quarantine Station more than 10
days prior to arrival.
Pets entering Hawaii on direct flights from the British Islands, Australia, Guam or New Zealand may be exempt from
quarantine requirements. Pets transiting Hawaii must be quarantined at the state facility for the transit period. The
Animal Quarantine Station must be notified of the complete itinerary at least 72 hours prior to departure from Hawaii.
All dogs and cats entering Hawaii are required to have:
- microchip, implanted before the rabies anti blood test is performed;
- at least 2 rabies vaccinations. The most recent vaccination must have been administered by a licensed veterinarian
more than 30 days before arrival;
- original Health Certificate in English or a certified English translation issued within 14 days prior to arrival;
- a Neighbor Island Inspection Permit (NIIP) if flying directly to Kona International Airport at Keahole (KOA),
Kahului Airport (OGG) or Lihue Airport (LIH). Refer to the “Checklist for Requesting Direct Airport Release at
Kona, Kahului and Lihue Airports" No permit is required to fly into Honolulu at the Daniel K. Inouye International
Airport (HNL), island of Oahu.
More information about import of pets in Hawaii can be obtained from the Dept. of Agriculture, Animal Quarantine
Branch, 99-951 Halawa Valley Street, Aiea, Hawaii 96701-5602. Tel: 808 483 7151. Fax: 808 483 7161.
Further information regarding importation of pets may be obtained from US Dept. of Agriculture (for birds) or US
Public Health Service (for other pets).

Birds: Entry and transit of birds is strictly controlled. Max. 5 personally owned pet birds may be brought into the
USA. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal Import Centers that contain quarantine facilities for pet
birds are located only at the following special ports: Alaska (transit only); Los Angeles, CA; Miami, FL; Mission, TX
(only for abandoned or smuggled birds); New York JFK, NY. Note that the US laws restrict the entry of psittacine
birds (parrots, parakeets, cockatoos, etc.) to 5 pet birds per family per year.
All pet birds (with certain exceptions for Canadian-origin birds) must be accompanied by:
1. USDA Import permit;
2. Health Certificate issued within 30 days prior to entry by the national government veterinary office of the country
of export;
3. An advanced reservation from the quarantine facility for a minimum of 30 day isolation period at a USDA operated
quarantine facility.
For details contact the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, www.aphis.usda.gov.

Pet birds originally obtained in the USA and returning to the USA with the owner can re-enter without a USDA
import permit. The bird may be quarantined in the owner's home for the 30-day quarantine period.

Baggage Clearance regulations:

Baggage is cleared at the first point of entry in the USA.

Exempt: At some US airports, passengers making an international transfer are not required to collect their bags.
Passengers should check with their carrier if they need to pick up baggage before transferring.

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Currency

Currency Import regulations:

and

Currency Export regulations:

local currency (United States Dollar-USD) and foreign currencies: no restrictions, if arriving and departing passengers
must report to US customs any money or other monetary instruments exceeding USD 10,000.-. Gold: Importation of
gold coins or small, non-commercial quantities of gold must be declared upon arrival.

Airport Tax

No airport tax is levied on passengers upon embarkation at the airport.

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