US Customs discussion - airports, importing

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#556
Here’s my experience coming into SEA from CDG:

CDG detaxe was super easy and fast - the machines worked for a couple of receipts but rejected the receipt for a Kelly, so I had to line up. The wait was maybe 10 minutes and the guy at the desk was super nice - asked to see the bag and then scanned the forms. He said I didn’t need to mail anything in and I was all set (hopefully he’s right :shocked:). Unrelated - the security line at CDG was a nightmare and took over an hour. I got to the airport 2.5 hours in advance and between checking bags (with status), detaxe, and security, I barely made it (and mind you, I travel a ton and was solo, so I was moving fast).

I declared my purchases coming home through Seattle. The folks in customs were super nice and thanked me for my honesty. I declared a bunch of stuff, but was only asked to pay taxes on my handbag and one clothing receipt. They did it all by the book ($800 free, $1000 at 3%, balance at 9%). They didn’t search my bags or question me, besides asking for a receipt for the bag and a bit about my profession ha (I’m a lawyer).

Could I have probably gotten away with not declaring? Yes. Was it worth the risk to me? No. I had a great trip and got a bag I totally wasn’t expecting that I couldn’t get in Seattle. It would have ruined an otherwise amazing trip having to deal with fines or worse.
 
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#558
benjinito said:
You said that you were “honest and helpful” in the duty process - what does that mean? Did you already declare your purchase when you used the Global Entry machine? Because if you did, then it’d make sense that you got an X…
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The global entry machine didn’t even ask for those questions. I was flagged with “X” on it with “See CBP officer” (not verbatim). No questions asked.
 
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#560
Flew from St. Barths to EWR through Puerto Rico. Global Entry machine did not ask us if we had anything to declare but when we brought the form to the customs agents, she asked questions about what we had purchased etc. I had bought a few high ticket items and was prepared with the items in my carry on and the receipts in my wallet. Truthfully declared the items. They were most interested in a necklace made of South Sea pearls and leather (if you’ve been to St. Barths, you know the kind I am talking about). Four agents were trying to look up how to tax the item. In the end, they thanked me for my honesty and I payed nothing. I have found in my experience that when returning to the US from the islands and the customs entry is in a territory rather than mainland US, you are more likely to pay duty on what you have purchased. Mind you that I always declare my purchases but I do think that they are on the look out for shiny pieces of jewelry or watches that people think they can wear and claim they owned before the trip. One time purchased a Rolex watch in St. Thomas and paid duty on it at the airport. A few months later we were coming back from St. Thomas again and I declared a Cartier watch that I purchased. (Yes,I have a thing for watches amongst other things.) Agent looked at my wrist and asked if it was the watch I was wearing. I truthfully told her no, this was a Rolex I had previously purchased. She asked to see my passport and swiped it through the computer again. I am sure she was checking whether I had or had not previously claimed the Rolex. She smiled, satisfied with what she has seen on the screen and handed me back my passport and then nicely escorted me to the area where I was to pay duty on the Cartier. The agents there “worked with me” and gave me a lower duty amount. My advice to anyone traveling and thinking about declaring or not declaring is to always declare. If you could afford to buy it, you can afford to pay the duty. If you end up not having to pay the duty then that’s a bonus. If they catch you, you have opened yourself to a lifetime of misery every time you return home to the states. We have friends that we travel with who have never indicated a past “situation” with customs and perhaps it’s just his bad luck but our one friend literally gets stopped at every security checkpoint and customs agent whenever we have traveled out of the country together. Not sure it’s just coincidence but who knows. Better him than me.
 
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#561
lmac408 said:
Here’s my experience coming into SEA from CDG:

CDG detaxe was super easy and fast - the machines worked for a couple of receipts but rejected the receipt for a Kelly, so I had to line up. The wait was maybe 10 minutes and the guy at the desk was super nice - asked to see the bag and then scanned the forms. He said I didn’t need to mail anything in and I was all set (hopefully he’s right :shocked:). Unrelated - the security line at CDG was a nightmare and took over an hour. I got to the airport 2.5 hours in advance and between checking bags (with status), detaxe, and security, I barely made it (and mind you, I travel a ton and was solo, so I was moving fast).

I declared my purchases coming home through Seattle. The folks in customs were super nice and thanked me for my honesty. I declared a bunch of stuff, but was only asked to pay taxes on my handbag and one clothing receipt. They did it all by the book ($800 free, $1000 at 3%, balance at 9%). They didn’t search my bags or question me, besides asking for a receipt for the bag and a bit about my profession ha (I’m a lawyer).

Could I have probably gotten away with not declaring? Yes. Was it worth the risk to me? No. I had a great trip and got a bag I totally wasn’t expecting that I couldn’t get in Seattle. It would have ruined an otherwise amazing trip having to deal with fines or worse.
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Is it 3% on 1000 after the initial 800?
 
#562
MM19 said:
Is it 3% on 1000 after the initial 800?
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Yes, and it is per person.

If you are traveling with a group, my experience is that they will work with you to spread it out. When I travel with my husband and 2 kids...it is $800 x 4 personal exemption ($3200) and then 3% on the next $4000 ($1000 x 4) and then the remaining balance at 9%.
 
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#563
hopiko said:
Yes, and it is per person.

If you are traveling with a group, my experience is that they will work with you to spread it out. When I travel with my husband and 2 kids...it is $800 x 4 personal exemption ($3200) and then 3% on the next $4000 ($1000 x 4) and then the remaining balance at 9%.
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Thanks! There are 3 of us, but I’m planning on visiting the new Dior store. So…
 
#565
Hi ladies! Thankfully I found this thread, I am not a US resident and I will move to work. I have some jewelry and handbags I did not purchase more than one year ago, should I have duty free in this case?
 
#568
Maragal13 said:
Hi, have you had any experience like that? Could I ask how I can declare the items?
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You cannot decare the items as these are now your personal possessions.

The answer is no, because if you didn't live in the States when you bought the items, you can't claim for them as though you did now. It's law, not personal experience. This is why people show their passports/proof of address at PoS (depending on brand/country/state law).

I also see you've written similar posts in different forums (Cartier, Chanel, Handbags and H) which is not allowed. if this turns into a personal discussion in several threads in different forums about a multitude of brands I will delete further questions/replies in this thread.
 
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#569
Dear moderator, sorry for the other posts! Thank you for your advice, perhaps I was not clear I did not ask any tax refund for any item, I just wanted to know how to pay any tax or duty in the entry, as some items are not as old as one year. Thank you for the clarification and sorry for any disturbance! :)
 
#570
Help @hopiko - I’m sorry if my question was taken out of context - I was just curious- but I can confirm (my own very recent experience) we flew back into the US from visiting Paris (non-US citizen- but a green card holder ).

Upon arrival - we did declare everything we bought (DH pointed out how was it possible that in a full plaine back from Paris how were we - and 2 other ladies- the ONLY ones to have gone shopping in Paris?) . It is Not in my nature to be deliberately dishonest- I would have been a stammering, sweaty mess … and the overall tax was 3%…gold jewelry and leather goods were the lowest - BUT- the tax on painted canvas (Goyard/LV)
Was a staggering 18.5% !

I agree- it’s not worth the embarrassment or the future flagging -When you complete the tax free forms - they ask for your Country of Residence- and your credit cards domicile country is also flagged- please- do not risk it- it’s not worth it…
On a side but still relevant issue- Samaritaine does offer a higher tax back amount once you go over 10,000 Euro …and if you join their customer scheme you can earn 4% back (not cash - but applied to future transactions) …if anybody is interested- that 4% is available on Gucci (DD bought gold jewelry) / Cartier pieces /Moncler (DH purchased a jacket) / not sure about VCA…BUT, it’s not available for any LVMH products , including Dior …even though Samaritaine is owned by LVMH- FYI- I picked up a few Dior pieces and was able to get more back on my tax return - when you factor in the import duties- still way ahead …
 
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