I always travel with my CITES certificates, even with US purchased bags. Note that import restrictions vary by country so be careful and check before traveling abroad with your US bought exotics. The US Dept of Wildlife and Fisheries was very helpful to me when I called their toll free number and asked a bunch of questions about traveling with my exotics... definitely worth the phone call.Does anyone have details on bringing back a croc handbag purchased abroad? What is the full duty rate? Is CITES the certificate you get with the purchase of an exotic? Do I need that? Is the bag ever confiscated?
Separately, has anyone ever been challenged when they traveled back to the US with an exotic bag they already purchased in the US? Should you travel with the CITES certificate?
Re: customs declaration - there's a lot more info on duty rate in the customs thread in the Shopping sub forum.