Our Blog

BANNISTER TRAVEL BLOG

ACCORDING TO HOMELAND SECURITY

Duty-Free Exemption

(08/21/2009)The duty-free exemption, also called the personal exemption, is the total value of merchandise you may bring back to the United States without having to pay duty. You may bring back more than your exemption, but you will have to pay duty on it. In most cases, the personal exemption is $800, but there are some exceptions to this rule, which are explained below.

 

Joint Declaration
Family members who live in the same home and return together to the United States may combine their personal exemptions. This is called a joint declaration. For example, if Mr. and Mrs. Smith travel overseas and Mrs. Smith brings home a $1,000 piece of glassware, and Mr. Smith buys $600 worth of clothing, they can combine their individual $800 exemptions on a joint declaration and not have to pay duty.

 

Children and infants are allowed the same exemption as adults, except for alcoholic beverages and tobacco products.

 

Don't forget that the best way to travel is to contact your professional travel consultant before you make your plans so that you can be aware of all of the changes that are coming your way.   Our agents are constantly in training to keep up with the industry trends, so call us today.

Patricia Bannister, owner of Bannister Travel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exemptions
Depending on the countries you have visited, your personal exemption will be $200, $800, or $1,600. There are limits on the amount of alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, cigars, and other tobacco products you may include in your duty-free personal exemption. The differences are explained in the following section.

 

The duty-free exemptions ($200, $800, or $1,600) apply if:

 

 

  • The items are for your personal or household use or intended to be given as gifts.
  • They are in your possession, that is, they accompany you when you return to the United States. Items to be sent later may not be included in your $800 duty-free exemption. (Exceptions apply for goods sent from Guam or the U.S. Virgin Islands.)
  • They are declared to CBP. If you do not declare something that should have been declared, you risk forfeiting it. If in doubt, declare it.
  • You are returning from an overseas stay of at least 48 hours. For example, if you leave the United States at 1:30 p.m. on June 1, you would complete the 48-hour period at 1:30 p.m. on June 3. This time limit does not apply if you are returning from Mexico or from the U.S. Virgin Islands.
  • You have not used all of your exemption allowance, or used any part of it, in the past 30 days. For example, if you go to England and bring back $150 worth of items, you must wait another 30 days before you are allowed another $800 exemption.
  • The items are not prohibited or restricted as discussed in the section on Prohibited and Restricted Items. Note the embargo prohibitions on products of Cuba.

  • Information About New Orleans and Carnival Cruise Lines

    5/14/20081:33:41 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment

    We have just learned that Carnival Cruise Lines is going to pull the Fantasy which is based out of New Orleans. 

    In August of this year, Carnival is going to put the Fantasy into dry dock for major renovations.  In October, they will return the Fantasy to New Orleans where she will resume the 4 and 5 day schedule that she is running at this time.  You need to book right away if you want to be the first to sail onboard the newly renovated Fantasy out of New Orleans going to Cozumel, MX and Playa del Carmen.

    Although the Fantasy will not be in New Orleans for 3 months, you will still be able to take advantage of the Holiday which is sailing out of Mobile, AL with 4 and 5 day itineraries.

Add Comment
Name
Comment

Archives

According to Homeland Security: Duty-Free Exemption The duty-free exemption, also called the personal exemption, is the total value of merchandise you may bring back to the United States without having to pay duty. You may bring back more than your exemption, but you will have to pay duty on it. In most cases, the personal exemption is $800, but there are some exceptions to this rule, which are explained below. Exemptions Depending on the countries you have visited, your personal exemption will be $200, $800, or $1,600. There are limits on the amount of alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, cigars, and other tobacco products you may include in your duty-free personal exemption. The differences are explained in the following section. The duty-free exemptions ($200, $800, or $1,600) apply if: The items are for your personal or household use or intended to be given as gifts. They are in your possession, that is, they accompany you when you return to the United States. Items to be sent later may not be included in your $800 duty-free exemption. (Exceptions apply for goods sent from Guam or the U.S. Virgin Islands.) They are declared to CBP. If you do not declare something that should have been declared, you risk forfeiting it. If in doubt, declare it. You are returning from an overseas stay of at least 48 hours. For example, if you leave the United States at 1:30 p.m. on June 1, you would complete the 48-hour period at 1:30 p.m. on June 3. This time limit does not apply if you are returning from Mexico or from the U.S. Virgin Islands. You have not used all of your exemption allowance, or used any part of it, in the past 30 days. For example, if you go to England and bring back $150 worth of items, you must wait another 30 days before you are allowed another $800 exemption. The items are not prohibited or restricted as discussed in the section on Prohibited and Restricted Items. Note the embargo prohibitions on products of Cuba. For more information, please see the Types of Exemptions page. ( Types of Exemptions ) Joint Declaration Family members who live in the same home and return together to the United States may combine their personal exemptions. This is called a joint declaration. For example, if Mr. and Mrs. Smith travel overseas and Mrs. Smith brings home a $1,000 piece of glassware, and Mr. Smith buys $600 worth of clothing, they can combine their individual $800 exemptions on a joint declaration and not have to pay duty. Children and infants are allowed the same exemption as adults, except for alcoholic beverages and tobacco products.
  
Online Agency Travel Websites