The following is information in relation to the most frequently asked questions in regards to U.S. Customs regulations. For additional information please use thekeyword search engineon theU.S. Customs website, or contact the nearest U.S. Customs office (located in Frankfurt), tel. +49 69 7535 3876, fax +49 69 7535 3780. Office hours are between 9AM and 6PM.
Alcohol
Residents and non-residents over 21 years of age may bring no more than one liter of alcoholic beverages (beer, wine or liquor) to the U.S. duty free.You may not mail alcoholic beverages to the U.S.
Dogs/Cats
No special documentation or vaccinations are required for dogs or cats traveling directly from Sweden to the United States. A “Health Certificate” from your veterinarian is recommended. Always check with your airline before departure. For further information we refer to theDepartment of Agriculture.Note: Different rules may apply to Hawaii.
Firearms
It is prohibited for Nonimmigrant aliens to import firearms and ammunition to the U.S. There are, however, certain exceptions, e.g. in regards to hunting and government officials. For more detailed information and the downloading of the application for the permit, please visit theBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms’ website.
Food
When traveling to the U.S. you may be able to bring in food such as fruits, meats or other agricultural products, depending on the region or country from which you are traveling. Restrictions are placed on these products to protect community health, preserve the environment and prevent the introduction of devastating diseases to domestic plants and animals. Read about which food products are generally admissible on theU.S. Customs website.
Because regulations concerning meat and meat byproducts change frequently, travelers should contact the consulate or local agricultural office in the country of origin for up-to-date information on the disease status of that country. You can also read more about bringing agricultural products into the U.S. on theU.S. Customs website.
Mailing Food, Candy, etc. to the U.S.
If you are a private individual who wishes to send beverage and food items to the U.S., you should be aware that some items are highly restricted, particularly food items with meat products, including soup mixes, bullion, sausages, tinned meats, etc., and fresh produce. As a general rule, candies, condiments, spices, coffee and teas that are commercially packaged are okay; however, bulk teas or spices, etc. are subject to inspection and if they are found to have insects, they may be seized and destroyed.
Food that is sent to an individual in the U.S. for personal use (i.e. not for resale) by a business is subject to special requirements of the Food and Drug Administration. Businesses that send goods to the U.S. must fileprior notice. Prior notice may be filed on-line if the goods are being sent through the postal service. (Foods sent from an individual to an individual for personal use or as a bona fide gift are not subject to the Prior Notice requirement.) Read more at theU.S. Customs website.
Gifts
A non-resident may bring gifts totaling $100 in value to the U.S. duty free. Any gift items over that amount will be dutiable at the same rates as gifts exceeding $800 for a returning resident (see next paragraph).
As a returning resident, you are entitled to a duty-free exemption for newly purchased goods up to the value of $800 if the goods accompany you when you arrive in the U.S. Goods in excess of $800 that accompany you are dutiable at a flat rate of 3 percent for the next $1000 in value, goods that are not covered by the personal exemption or flat rate of duty (anything over $1800) are assessed duty in accordance with the item’s Harmonized Tariff Schedule classification number. (Schedule available on theU.S. Trade Commission’s website.)
Medication
Prescription medications should be in their original containers with the doctor’s prescription printed on the container. It is advised that you travel with no more than personal use quantities, a rule of thumb is no more than a 90 day supply. If your medications or devices are not in their original containers, you must have a copy of your prescription with you or a letter from your doctor.A valid prescription or doctors note is required on all medication entering the U.S.
The FDA is responsible for pharmaceutical admissibility determinations. If you have any questions as to whether a specific pharmaceutical may be imported into the United States, please contact the FDA,Division of Import Operations and Policy,at(301) 796–0356.Contact FDA.
If you are traveling with medical devices such as needles or oxygen tanks that could pose a security or safety concern to others, be sure to have a copy of the prescription for those items from your doctor. You should also contact theTransportation Security Administrationabout any additional requirements they may have.
There is no limit on the total amount of monetary instruments that may be brought into or taken out of the U.S. However, if you transport more than $10.000 in monetary instruments on any occasion into or out of the U.S., a report must be filed with U.S. Customs. Download theform FinCEN 105(PDF 222 KB) (Report of International Transportation of Currency or Monetary Instruments), or obtain it when entering or leaving the US from a customs official. Failure to declare currency in amounts over $10,000 may be subject to forfeiture and could result in civil and criminal penalties.
Motor Vehicles
A vehicle registered in another country may be imported for personal use for a period not to exceed one year. The vehicle cannot be sold and it must be exported within one year from the date of entry. Aform HS-7(PDF – 193 KB) (also available at ports of entry) must be completed as well asForm 3520-1(PDF – 141 KB).
For more information about importing motor vehicles and conforming cars to U.S. standards, please visit theU.S. Customs website, the website of theU.S. Department of Transportationand the website of theNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration(NHTSA).
More information may be obtained from the U.S. Customs website “Importing a Motor Vehicle.”
Tobacco / Snuff (“Snus”)
You are permitted to bring 100 cigars or 200 cigarettes (one carton) into the US duty free, or one roll (“stock”) of snuff into the US duty free.
Moving to the U.S.
Duty Exemptions for Household and Personal Effects
You may import furniture, dishes, linens, libraries, artwork and similar household furnishings for your personal use free of duty. To be eligible for duty-free exemption, the articles must have either been available for your use, or used in a household where you were a resident for one year. The year of use does not need to be continuous, nor does it need to be the year immediately before the date of importation. Personal and household effects entitled to duty-free entry need not accompany you to the United States; you may have them shipped to your U.S. address at a later time if you choose. Your shipment of personal and/or household goods must be cleared through Customs at its first port of arrival.
Professional Equipment/Tools of Trade
Your professional equipment or tools of trade are entitled to duty-free consideration if they are for your personal use. They do not have to have been in your household for more than one year to qualify for this exemption.
