US Customs discussion - airports, importing
- Thread starter esyee
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This ^^^
I have Global and ALWAYS declare my goods. Even though the Global kiosk does not ask for it sometimes and just prints a receipt, I take it upon myself to immediately let the CBP agents know I have merchandise to declare. It’s not because I’m feeling as though it’s the “right” action to take… it’s legitimately the law.
In ATL, MSP, NYC, & DTW, the CBP agents who handled my declarations were thankful (dare I say impressed or surprised?) I mentioned my purchases to them. Most cases, they did not charge me the full tax rate, but a lower one across all items.
On my most recent trip back from Paris, I shared my purchases with the CBP agent and he expressed his thanks that I disclosed everything.
After a brief chat, he handed my passport back to me and said “It’s your lucky day. Have a nice afternoon.” No payment required.
I feel that I must take a moment to defend myself. I am insulted that my post was interpreted in this manner. I realize that written words among strangers, different communication styles and languages can result in misunderstanding and miscommunication. To clarify, what I meant by the "honor system" is simply to let people know that there may not be an obvious form or question asked but that you are expected to notify an agent. At ORD the only place that an agent was stationed (at my last international arrival in June) was at the EXIT thus this is where one would have to notify the agent that you are declaring. For people who are not accustomed to international travel this can be confusing and unclear. My original post was to inform people that it is possible to exit not because you should (or even meant to )but if you don't understand the system you could leave and not be stopped. (Yes you could still receive a fine later) BUT I AM SURE THAT SOME PEOPLE DIDN'T REALIZE THAT YOU SOMETIMES have to go out of your way to declare. I generally travel through ORD and the system has changed over the past few years. Moreover, its great when the agent is happy that you declared but don't get to use to them always waiving the fee. I have had them thank me and waive the fee completely or thank me and charge me minimal or thank me and charge me fairly. I only wanted tpf members to understand that the process may not be as straightforward or as obvious as one might think. BTW I follow the law because it is the "right action to take". I sincerely hope that my original post did not confuse any tpf members genuinely seeking information about the process.
Oh, I wasn’t even talking about your post / this wasn’t directed at you. I was just agreeing with @QuelleFromage said as a whole blanket statement i.e. the law / GE.
Tbh I didn’t even truly see what you said! Like you said - miscommunication with written words.
Sorry I don’t know how to directly link articles but in light of some of our recent discussions found this article interesting
No they didn't seize her items. Just itemized every single one based on her vat forms.
Please issue a link when posting a photo or news item (tPF rules) TY
Link is blocked outside the US so here's the article:
STERLING, Va. (WBFF) — Customs and Border Patrol officials say a designer handbag led them to discover a Maryland couple trying to dodge duty fees on nearly $100,000 worth of goods they purchased overseas.
The couple was Global Entry trusted traveler members, allowing them quicker clearance at the border after they have been pre-approved.
The couple was arriving at Dulles from Paris on Sunday. They encountered a CPB agent at a kiosk who asked them about purchases they made during their trip.
At first, they said they had nothing to declare. But, when the agent asked them about their Chanel handbag, they declared that they had between $300 and $900 worth of merchandise.
Another officer continued to ask questions and the couple continued to revise the amount of merchandise they had purchased, according to officials. That's when they decided to search their bags.
According to the CPB news release:
CBP officers discovered 41 separate items of new, designer-brand apparel, which officers prepared to seize for failure to declare merchandise. One of the travelers then produced receipts to the total of $96,871. The couple elected to pay a duty fee and penalty, which totaled $27,289, to keep their merchandise.
CPB is in the process of taking away their Global Entry membership.
“Customs and Border Protection places a significant measure of trust in Global Entry members, and trusted traveler status cannot be used as a license to deliberately violate our nation’s laws,” said Daniel Escobedo, CBP’s Area Port Director for the Area Port of Washington, D.C., in a news release.
What's the customs rate in the US for luxury goods? If the $27K (for a total purchase amount of nearly $100k) includes VAT, customs and the fine for not declaring, the monetary penalty is minimal (while losing GE status is significant of course)?
Also if they scored the Birkin and the colourful Bolide in Paris they at least got lucky with the leather appointment system...
here's the link for the US Customs and Border Patrol site to determine fees
here's the link for the harmonized duty schedule
You can see that the rate of duty is usually 8% ( I had thought 9 in the past) for leather hand bags ( get that H dog collar and leash, it's only 2.4%!!). But note, there is ALWAYS leeway for the agent to determine whatever flat fee he/she desires at the time, which is perfectly legal.
Regardless, they lied, then obfuscated and subsequently paid a significantly higher rate, plus losing their Global Entry. I'm sure they are looking forward to the very pleasant and time consuming experience of having their bags scrutinized every time they travel for the foreseeable future.
here's the link for the harmonized duty schedule
You can see that the rate of duty is usually 8% ( I had thought 9 in the past) for leather hand bags ( get that H dog collar and leash, it's only 2.4%!!). But note, there is ALWAYS leeway for the agent to determine whatever flat fee he/she desires at the time, which is perfectly legal.
Regardless, they lied, then obfuscated and subsequently paid a significantly higher rate, plus losing their Global Entry. I'm sure they are looking forward to the very pleasant and time consuming experience of having their bags scrutinized every time they travel for the foreseeable future.
I'm sure the receipts and/or CC records were used in the calcs, but I cannot help but notice Sieste au Paradis in the photo...
I have been charged between 0-5%. One time, I had to ask the officer at the Global entry lane to process it after he waved me through. In the end, I had to wait for 30 minutes for him to hand my passport over to someone else to handle it. there were only one lady from the flight declared. i got charged about 4.5%. Surprisingly, the officer seemed very familiar with Hermse and commented that I would have to wait for a year to get a bag. The funny thing is that most are from the home department like dishes and blankets.