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It's been a while since I re-entered the U.S., and I'm returning with a bunch of books, CDs, and CD-ROM dictionaries; not sure off the top of my head what they're worth. What is the current exemption when filling out that form they give you on the way in? Is it still U$400? How closely do they audit the value of items? How much tax do they charge on items over the exempt amount? Does the tax have to be paid in USD? Anyone have recent experience bringing things home and declaring them?

... in response to U.S. re-entry: customs question, posted by Bueller on Apr 23, 2005

I think your fine on that stuff.
How is the Burrrito business? I hope its working and somebody is running it when you are gone.

Pete

... in response to Re: U.S. re-entry: customs question, posted by Pete E on Apr 23, 2005

Actually, I decided to close it and come back to the States for a while. I alluded to this possibility a few weeks ago, and will probably write more about it later.

 So what is Customs looking for on that disclosure form? I'll be paying extra to carry two additional bags full of books, etc., plus a huge dog carrier. If I pick the "nothing to declare" line, won't that look a little suspicious?

... in response to Re: Re: U.S. re-entry: customs question, posted by Bueller on Apr 23, 2005

Hope this helps:

$800 Exemption
If you are arriving from anywhere other than a U.S. insular possession (U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, or Guam) you may bring back $800 worth of items duty free, as long as you bring them with you. This is called accompanied baggage.
For Caribbean Basin or Andean countries, your exemption is also $800:
Antigua and Barbuda   Ecuador   Panama
Aruba   El Salvador   Peru
Bahamas   Grenada   Saint Kitts and Nevis
Barbados   Guatemala   Saint Lucia
Belize   Guyana   Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Bolivia   Haiti   Trinidad and Tobago
British Virgin Islands   Honduras   
Colombia   Jamaica   
Costa Rica   Montserrat   
Dominica   Netherlands Antilles   
Dominican Republic   Nicaragua   
You may include two liters of alcoholic beverages with this $800 exemption, as long as one of the liters was produced in one of the countries listed above

Go to:

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/kbyg/dutyfree_exemption.xml

... in response to Re:  U.S. re-entry: customs question, posted by MarkNJ on Apr 23, 2005

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