US Customs: To Declare or Not To Declare, That Is The Questions?

[On on topic, non-political dicussion topic. What is Usenet coming to?]

I am having an ongoing discussion about this topic with business collegues whom
I travel with.

For US Citizens returning to the US, is it required to itemize each item on the
Customs Declaration form if you are below the duty limit?

I read the instructions as saying that you must itemize, no matter what the
dollar amount is. Yet I had a customs agent tell me once that I didn't need to.
I've also had customs agents ask me why I didn't list when below the limit.

Over half the people I've travelled with say you don't need to.

Thoughts, comments, urban legends (ie did you get hauled into a windowless room
for not listing)?

Clark W. Griswold, Jr. wrote:
[On on topic, non-political dicussion topic. What is Usenet coming to?]

I am having an ongoing discussion about this topic with business collegues whom
I travel with.

For US Citizens returning to the US, is it required to itemize each item on the
Customs Declaration form if you are below the duty limit?

I read the instructions as saying that you must itemize, no matter what the
dollar amount is. Yet I had a customs agent tell me once that I didn't need to.
I've also had customs agents ask me why I didn't list when below the limit.

Over half the people I've travelled with say you don't need to.

Thoughts, comments, urban legends (ie did you get hauled into a windowless room
for not listing)?

Given the minuscule space provided it would normally be impossible to
itemize completely even when well below the level where tax is due. On
our last trip the list included things like kitchen tools $xxx. So far
the folks haven't complained or asked for more detail. As I read the
rules you are required to include everything but not itemize everything.

Well there was one idiot a few years ago who was concerned that I didn't
have receipts for each and every one of the books that we had bought on
the trip. There are nutcases everywhere. When it became clear that my
searching was going nowhere and that it was going to take forever to
clear the line he was building despite the fact that even if the
paperbacks we had were hardback first editions we were under the limit
he just quietly gave up.

The secret is to be pleasant, smile, cooperate and be safe on the total
that you declare. As long as there is no chance that the total of the
stuff that you have is over the amount that you have declared you are
safe. In extreme cases it may take a while.

One of my longer delays was in NY where it took 15 minutes for them to
give up trying to find someone to take the 3.50 I was trying to pay them.

Clark W. Griswold, Jr. wrote:
[On on topic, non-political dicussion topic. What is Usenet coming
to?]

I am having an ongoing discussion about this topic with business
collegues whom
I travel with.

For US Citizens returning to the US, is it required to itemize each
item on the
Customs Declaration form if you are below the duty limit?

Yes. No question about it.

I read the instructions as saying that you must itemize, no matter
what the
dollar amount is. Yet I had a customs agent tell me once that I
didn't need to.
I've also had customs agents ask me why I didn't list when below the
limit.

If you have a $20 tie that you bought abroad it looks silly to list it
and most Custom Agents won't care. But the rules are clear and if the
Agent wants to make trouble for you, he can.

Over half the people I've travelled with say you don't need to.

Thoughts, comments, urban legends (ie did you get hauled into a
windowless room
for not listing)?

I've cleared US Customs probably close to 100 times. The only time I've
been asked about the form is when I had items that exceeded the $400.
Other than that they looked and waved me through.

Clark W. Griswold, Jr. wrote:
[On on topic, non-political dicussion topic. What is Usenet coming
to?]

I am having an ongoing discussion about this topic with business
collegues whom
I travel with.

For US Citizens returning to the US, is it required to itemize each
item on the
Customs Declaration form if you are below the duty limit?

Yes. No question about it.

I read the instructions as saying that you must itemize, no matter
what the
dollar amount is. Yet I had a customs agent tell me once that I
didn't need to.
I've also had customs agents ask me why I didn't list when below the
limit.

If you have a $20 tie that you bought abroad it looks silly to list it
and most Custom Agents won't care. But the rules are clear and if the
Agent wants to make trouble for you, he can.

Over half the people I've travelled with say you don't need to.

Thoughts, comments, urban legends (ie did you get hauled into a
windowless room
for not listing)?

I've cleared US Customs probably close to 100 times. The only time I've
been asked about the form is when I had items that exceeded the $400.
Other than that they looked and waved me through.

"Clark W. Griswold, Jr." wrote in message
...
[On on topic, non-political dicussion topic. What is Usenet coming to?]

I am having an ongoing discussion about this topic with business collegues
whom
I travel with.

For US Citizens returning to the US, is it required to itemize each item
on the
Customs Declaration form if you are below the duty limit?

I read the instructions as saying that you must itemize, no matter what
the
dollar amount is. Yet I had a customs agent tell me once that I didn't
need to.
I've also had customs agents ask me why I didn't list when below the
limit.

Over half the people I've travelled with say you don't need to.

Thoughts, comments, urban legends (ie did you get hauled into a windowless
room
for not listing)?

This is my personal experience, only -- YMMV:

I declare everything, regardless of whether I'm over or under the limit. I
usually prepare a computer spread sheet (I always have my laptop with me),
listing the item, the amount I paid in local currency, the exchange rate I'm
applying and the equivalent US value.

I fax the spread sheet to myself at my hotel on my last day. That way I
have a hard copy to take home with me.

When I go through US customs, I fill out the form using general categories,
e.g. "clothing, books, ceramics, etc." so that everything fits. If my
total is over the limit and I'm directed to an inspector (sometimes I'm just
waved through), I hand him the detailed spread sheet along with the form.
Though I get some amused looks when I do this, I've never once had to open a
bag for inspection, and the Customs officer always takes time to go over the
list so that he or she can find items that are not dutiable -- in my
experience, they've always gone out of their way to do this.

I've been travelling internationally two or three times a year for the last
ten years -- this approach has always worked very well for me.

"Clark W. Griswold, Jr." wrote in message
...
[On on topic, non-political dicussion topic. What is Usenet coming to?]

I am having an ongoing discussion about this topic with business collegues
whom
I travel with.

For US Citizens returning to the US, is it required to itemize each item
on the
Customs Declaration form if you are below the duty limit?

I read the instructions as saying that you must itemize, no matter what
the
dollar amount is. Yet I had a customs agent tell me once that I didn't
need to.
I've also had customs agents ask me why I didn't list when below the
limit.

Over half the people I've travelled with say you don't need to.

Thoughts, comments, urban legends (ie did you get hauled into a windowless
room
for not listing)?

This is my personal experience, only -- YMMV:

I declare everything, regardless of whether I'm over or under the limit. I
usually prepare a computer spread sheet (I always have my laptop with me),
listing the item, the amount I paid in local currency, the exchange rate I'm
applying and the equivalent US value.

I fax the spread sheet to myself at my hotel on my last day. That way I
have a hard copy to take home with me.

When I go through US customs, I fill out the form using general categories,
e.g. "clothing, books, ceramics, etc." so that everything fits. If my
total is over the limit and I'm directed to an inspector (sometimes I'm just
waved through), I hand him the detailed spread sheet along with the form.
Though I get some amused looks when I do this, I've never once had to open a
bag for inspection, and the Customs officer always takes time to go over the
list so that he or she can find items that are not dutiable -- in my
experience, they've always gone out of their way to do this.

I've been travelling internationally two or three times a year for the last
ten years -- this approach has always worked very well for me.

PTravel wrote:

"Clark W. Griswold, Jr." wrote in message
...

[On on topic, non-political dicussion topic. What is Usenet coming to?]

I am having an ongoing discussion about this topic with business collegues

whom

I travel with.

For US Citizens returning to the US, is it required to itemize each item

on the

Customs Declaration form if you are below the duty limit?

I read the instructions as saying that you must itemize, no matter what

the

dollar amount is. Yet I had a customs agent tell me once that I didn't

need to.

I've also had customs agents ask me why I didn't list when below the

limit.

Over half the people I've travelled with say you don't need to.

Thoughts, comments, urban legends (ie did you get hauled into a windowless

room

for not listing)?


This is my personal experience, only -- YMMV:

I declare everything, regardless of whether I'm over or under the limit. I
usually prepare a computer spread sheet (I always have my laptop with me),
listing the item, the amount I paid in local currency, the exchange rate I'm
applying and the equivalent US value.

I fax the spread sheet to myself at my hotel on my last day. That way I
have a hard copy to take home with me.

When I go through US customs, I fill out the form using general categories,
e.g. "clothing, books, ceramics, etc." so that everything fits. If my
total is over the limit and I'm directed to an inspector (sometimes I'm just
waved through), I hand him the detailed spread sheet along with the form.
Though I get some amused looks when I do this, I've never once had to open a
bag for inspection, and the Customs officer always takes time to go over the
list so that he or she can find items that are not dutiable -- in my
experience, they've always gone out of their way to do this.

I've been travelling internationally two or three times a year for the last
ten years -- this approach has always worked very well for me.




In other words you do not itemize the items on the form but provide
summary data.

Clark W. Griswold, Jr. wrote:

[On on topic, non-political dicussion topic. What is Usenet coming to?]

I am having an ongoing discussion about this topic with business collegues
whom
I travel with.

For US Citizens returning to the US, is it required to itemize each item
on the
Customs Declaration form if you are below the duty limit?

I read the instructions as saying that you must itemize, no matter what
the
dollar amount is. Yet I had a customs agent tell me once that I didn't
need to.
I've also had customs agents ask me why I didn't list when below the
limit.

Over half the people I've travelled with say you don't need to.

Thoughts, comments, urban legends (ie did you get hauled into a windowless
room
for not listing)?


If you are honest and declare everything you've nothing to fear...

Because of the Federal Paperwork Reduction Act US Customs is not going to
ding you for bringing in an extra few bottles of booze or cigs....in fact
you could probably bring in a case of booze or whatever...so long as you
declare it...

IOW be honest...and let them know in an "eager beaver" way...

--
Best
Greg

"Frank F. Matthews" wrote in message
...


PTravel wrote:

"Clark W. Griswold, Jr." wrote in message
...

[On on topic, non-political dicussion topic. What is Usenet coming to?]

I am having an ongoing discussion about this topic with business
collegues

whom

I travel with.

For US Citizens returning to the US, is it required to itemize each item

on the

Customs Declaration form if you are below the duty limit?

I read the instructions as saying that you must itemize, no matter what

the

dollar amount is. Yet I had a customs agent tell me once that I didn't

need to.

I've also had customs agents ask me why I didn't list when below the

limit.

Over half the people I've travelled with say you don't need to.

Thoughts, comments, urban legends (ie did you get hauled into a
windowless

room

for not listing)?


This is my personal experience, only -- YMMV:

I declare everything, regardless of whether I'm over or under the limit.
I
usually prepare a computer spread sheet (I always have my laptop with
me),
listing the item, the amount I paid in local currency, the exchange rate
I'm
applying and the equivalent US value.

I fax the spread sheet to myself at my hotel on my last day. That way I
have a hard copy to take home with me.

When I go through US customs, I fill out the form using general
categories,
e.g. "clothing, books, ceramics, etc." so that everything fits. If my
total is over the limit and I'm directed to an inspector (sometimes I'm
just
waved through), I hand him the detailed spread sheet along with the form.
Though I get some amused looks when I do this, I've never once had to
open a
bag for inspection, and the Customs officer always takes time to go over
the
list so that he or she can find items that are not dutiable -- in my
experience, they've always gone out of their way to do this.

I've been travelling internationally two or three times a year for the
last
ten years -- this approach has always worked very well for me.




In other words you do not itemize the items on the form but provide
summary data.

More or less. I use the available space. If we've bought sweaters, shirts,
a dress and ties, and nothing more, I'll list each separately. If we've
bought a lot of other things and there isn't room on the form, I'll just say
"clothing." The instructions say to use an extra form if there's no room.
I did that once, and the Customs people didn't know what to do with it.

"Frank F. Matthews" wrote in message
...


PTravel wrote:

"Clark W. Griswold, Jr." wrote in message
...

[On on topic, non-political dicussion topic. What is Usenet coming to?]

I am having an ongoing discussion about this topic with business
collegues

whom

I travel with.

For US Citizens returning to the US, is it required to itemize each item

on the

Customs Declaration form if you are below the duty limit?

I read the instructions as saying that you must itemize, no matter what

the

dollar amount is. Yet I had a customs agent tell me once that I didn't

need to.

I've also had customs agents ask me why I didn't list when below the

limit.

Over half the people I've travelled with say you don't need to.

Thoughts, comments, urban legends (ie did you get hauled into a
windowless

room

for not listing)?


This is my personal experience, only -- YMMV:

I declare everything, regardless of whether I'm over or under the limit.
I
usually prepare a computer spread sheet (I always have my laptop with
me),
listing the item, the amount I paid in local currency, the exchange rate
I'm
applying and the equivalent US value.

I fax the spread sheet to myself at my hotel on my last day. That way I
have a hard copy to take home with me.

When I go through US customs, I fill out the form using general
categories,
e.g. "clothing, books, ceramics, etc." so that everything fits. If my
total is over the limit and I'm directed to an inspector (sometimes I'm
just
waved through), I hand him the detailed spread sheet along with the form.
Though I get some amused looks when I do this, I've never once had to
open a
bag for inspection, and the Customs officer always takes time to go over
the
list so that he or she can find items that are not dutiable -- in my
experience, they've always gone out of their way to do this.

I've been travelling internationally two or three times a year for the
last
ten years -- this approach has always worked very well for me.




In other words you do not itemize the items on the form but provide
summary data.

More or less. I use the available space. If we've bought sweaters, shirts,
a dress and ties, and nothing more, I'll list each separately. If we've
bought a lot of other things and there isn't room on the form, I'll just say
"clothing." The instructions say to use an extra form if there's no room.
I did that once, and the Customs people didn't know what to do with it.