US customs regulations

Duty-free allowance

US Citizens and Permanent Residents

Tobacco and alcohol may only be imported by travellers 21 years and over.

Returning from a Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI) country

Travellers returning from CBI countries have an allowance of up to US$800 of dutiable items including:

• 2 litres of alcohol, 1 litre of which much be a product of a CBI county.

Returning from the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa or Guam

Travellers returning from these territories have an allowance of up to US$1600 of dutiable items including:

• 1000 cigarettes, 800 of which must be purchased in one of the above territories (receipts are necessary).
• 5 litres of alcohol, 4 litres of which must be purchased one of the above territories, and 1 litre of which much be a product of that territory.

Returning from Cuba

Travellers returning from Cuba have an allowance of up to US$400 of dutiable items including:

• Alcohol and tobacco products with a combined value of up to US$100.

Returning from any other foreign country

Travellers have an allowance of up to US$800 of dutiable items including:

• 200 cigarettes;
• 100 cigars; and
• 1 litre of alcohol.

Returning from a foreign country except Mexico after less than 48 hours or more than once in a 30-day period

Travellers in this situation have an allowance of up to US$200 of dutiable items including:

• 50 cigarettes;
• 10 cigars; and
• 150mL alcohol or 150mL perfume.

Cash limit

• There are no restrictions on the importation of funds into the US.
• Funds of US$10,000 or more must be declared.

Non-Residents

Tobacco and alcohol may only be imported by travellers 21 years and over.

Tobacco limit

• 200 cigarettes;
• 100 cigars.

Bringing alcohol

• 1 litre of alcohol.

Other Goods

• Visitors travelling to the US for over 72 hours have an allowance of up to US$100 of dutiable items intended as gifts for other people. This allowance may be used once every six months, and may include 100 cigars. This gift exemption applies to individuals, and may not be combined in a family group.

Prohibited items

The following are goods which cannot be brought into the country.

• Absinthe containing thujone.
• Products containing dog and cat fur.
• Illegal drug paraphernalia.
• Anything containing meat products, including soup mixes.
• Copies of gold coins are prohibited if not properly marked by country of issuance.
• Certain medications such as rohypnol are prohibited. For further information, please visit the US Food and Drug Administration.
• Merchandise from Cuba, Iran, Myanmar, and Sudan is prohibited. To bring in merchandise from these countries, travellers will need a specific licence from the Office of Foreign Assets Control. For further information on sanctions, please visit the US Department of the Treasury Sanctions Programs and Country Information.
• Film will be examined if it is believed to contain prohibited material such as child pornography.
• Pirated or counterfeit goods are prohibited.

Restricted items

These goods are strictly regulated, and in most cases require a permit to be obtained prior to arrival:

• Alcohol is subject to restrictions depending on which state you are arriving in. For further information, please contact the relevant state's alcohol beverage control board.
• Automobiles must meet American standards. For further information, please visit the United States Environmental Protection Agency Importing Vehicles and Engines into the United States, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Importation and Certification Requirements.
• Permits may be required in order to import biological specimens including bacterial cultures, molluscs, livestock, birds, and plants. For further information, please visit the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Permits and Certifications.
• Certain fish and wildlife, along with derivative products, are subject to import restrictions. For further information, please visit the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
• Importation of certain cultural artifacts may require an export permit from the country of origin. For further information, please visit the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Cultural Property Protection.
• Classified and unclassified items that have military application are considered defence articles, and require a licence before import and export.
• Firearms and ammunition must be imported through a licensed importer. Anything prohibited by the National Firearms Act will be prohibited unless written authorisation is provided by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
• Fruit and vegetables may be allowed in, depending on the country of origin. For further information, please visit USDA Permits and Certifications.
• Game and hunting trophies may require a permit, depending on country of origin. For further information, please visit the US Fish and Wildlife Service Information on Hunting and Fishing.
• Haitian goat hide drums are restricted if they have not been properly processed so that they are not infectious.
• Prescription medication must be in its original container, with the prescription printed on the container. Travellers should bring no more than is required for personal use - usually no more than 90 days' worth. Medical devices should also be accompanied by a doctor's prescription. All medication should be declared.
• All plants and plant products must be declared. Some require permits, and some may be prohibited. For further information, please visit the USDA Plant Health Import Permits.
• Soil is prohibited unless accompanied by an import permit.
• All pets are subject to importation requirements, and some are prohibited. For further information, please visit the Centers for Disease Control Bringing an Animal into the United States.
• Airlines should verify that any dog travelling to the United States has either a valid rabies vaccination certificate, a CDC-issued unimmunized dog permit, or a written statement that the dog has been living in a rabies-free country for the past 6 months or since birth. These requirements apply to dogs travelling in the cabin or the cargo hold of a plane.
• Airlines should also verify that any dog travelling to the United States matches the details on their identifying documentation, such as age, sex, breed, colour, and markings.
• Service dogs are subject to the same controls and restrictions as pet dogs.