US Customs discussion - airports, importing

[880]

Landed in the US on Tuesday with a new Birkin, ~960 USD in other H purchases, and ~480 USD in skincare from City Pharma in Paris. Indicated I had items to declare, and led with the expensive handbag (the customs agent asked DH if it was a Louis Vuitton or something). I then pulled out the receipts for my other items and started to list those out, but he told me he wasn’t concerned about those, only the bag. Gave him the receipt for that purchase and he told me that while the applicable rate was usually 9%, he’d only charge me 3% of the value above our $1600 exemption. He didn’t ask to see the bag, though I was carrying it inside its box in a large white bag so it was pretty obvious I had something large with me in there. He said that while he could technically look through all our bags, he wouldn’t, but asked me if he would find anything else I hadn’t mentioned in there if he were to do so. He seemed pretty pleased I had declared and lectured me a bit on the importance of always doing it. Overall he was pretty pointed about getting across that he was making things easier for us since I had been upfront with him.

similar experiences at Newark and jfk
Thank you for the detailed explanation
Love city pharma too

 

[withsriracha]

similar experiences at Newark and jfk
Thank you for the detailed explanation
Love city pharma too

First time there and I wasn’t expecting the Filene’s Basement experience, but I was into it!

 

[CTLover]

Landed in the US on Tuesday with a new Birkin, ~960 USD in other H purchases, and ~480 USD in skincare from City Pharma in Paris. Indicated I had items to declare, and led with the expensive handbag (the customs agent asked DH if it was a Louis Vuitton or something). I then pulled out the receipts for my other items and started to list those out, but he told me he wasn’t concerned about those, only the bag. Gave him the receipt for that purchase and he told me that while the applicable rate was usually 9%, he’d only charge me 3% of the value above our $1600 exemption. He didn’t ask to see the bag, though I was carrying it inside its box in a large white bag so it was pretty obvious I had something large with me in there. He said that while he could technically look through all our bags, he wouldn’t, but asked me if he would find anything else I hadn’t mentioned in there if he were to do so. He seemed pretty pleased I had declared and lectured me a bit on the importance of always doing it. Overall he was pretty pointed about getting across that he was making things easier for us since I had been upfront with him.

I think they always treat you well if you just declare. I always do these days and have only been pulled aside once, the last time tariffs were imposed, and had a similar experience. I think they're really not interested in charging the fees in general, but just want people to be honest and declare.

 

[withsriracha]

I think they always treat you well if you just declare. I always do these days and have only been pulled aside once, the last time tariffs were imposed, and had a similar experience. I think they're really not interested in charging the fees in general, but just want people to be honest and declare.

One of the agents told me a horror story about a woman who recently came through with $120k of undeclared goods. They supposedly gave her the choice between surrendering the items and paying $30k, and she went with the latter.

I felt a bit like I was in a scared straight program, but they did seem REALLY focused on driving home the “please just declare” message!

 

[CTLover]

One of the agents told me a horror story about a woman who recently came through with $120k of undeclared goods. They supposedly gave her the choice between surrendering the items and paying $30k, and she went with the latter.

I felt a bit like I was in a scared straight program, but they did seem REALLY focused on driving home the “please just declare” message!

That story was reported in the news. I bought a Chanel jacket in London 2 years ago, over 10,000 pounds. We declared it along with a Burberry coat and other high end items. The customs guy looked at our declarations, said "thank you for being honest, " and waived us through not charging us a cent.

 

[bindi178]

Just traveled back from Japan to SFO. Was flagged to secondary customs. I did not have anything to declare and noted that on the mobile passport app. I travel frequently to Europe and have not been in secondary unless I self declare (which I do when I have something).

I was in Japan for the Dior fall show so I had a lot of bags/jewelry/watches/rtw but had receipts for everything. Thank god I had proof of purchase.

I was asked about 1 receipt. The CBP officer thought it was from Paris but it was from the US. He asked me if I had previously paid duty on the item when I brought it back. I declined and said it was from the US. I’m not sure what he would have done if it was from a previous trip and I didn’t pay duty on it. The question did make me raise an eyebrow.

For anyone traveling in the upcoming months:
- If you leave the country and have expensive items with you, I would suggest carrying some proof that you had it before the trip.
- If you purchase abroad, I wouldn’t risk it and not declare. With items getting more expensive here, they are expecting people to travel and shop abroad.

The officer told me at the end that they sent me to secondary because I usually have items to declare and I didn’t have any today. (I guess they found me not shopping strange 😂)

 

[Kidney101]

Just got back from Korea and landed to Chicago ORD. I declared bags (Fendi and LV I purchased from the airport) but custom officer sent me to secondary and inspect my bags he opened my luggage and saw another LV and Bvlgari bags , Graft earrings and 3 pairs of LV sunglasses - he asked me if I purchased it from abroad like in a preloved market I said no . I purchased them from the US. Then asked some stupid question if I have receipts to the items I said no but I showed him some old pictures. So I asked about preloved stuff and he told me that they are now nailing those people that purchased prelove items and bringing them to the country as some really cost a lot.

 

[textilegirl]

Just got back from Korea and landed to Chicago ORD. I declared bags (Fendi and LV I purchased from the airport) but custom officer sent me to secondary and inspect my bags he opened my luggage and saw another LV and Bvlgari bags , Graft earrings and 3 pairs of LV sunglasses - he asked me if I purchased it from abroad like in a preloved market I said no . I purchased them from the US. Then asked some stupid question if I have receipts to the items I said no but I showed him some old pictures. So I asked about preloved stuff and he told me that they are now nailing those people that purchased prelove items and bringing them to the country as some really cost a lot.

May I presume that the old photos were acceptable? I haven’t been stopped but was prepared to go with the old photo in the absence of receipts.

 

[Letter]

Just traveled back from Japan to SFO. Was flagged to secondary customs. I did not have anything to declare and noted that on the mobile passport app. I travel frequently to Europe and have not been in secondary unless I self declare (which I do when I have something).

I was in Japan for the Dior fall show so I had a lot of bags/jewelry/watches/rtw but had receipts for everything. Thank god I had proof of purchase.

I was asked about 1 receipt. The CBP officer thought it was from Paris but it was from the US. He asked me if I had previously paid duty on the item when I brought it back. I declined and said it was from the US. I’m not sure what he would have done if it was from a previous trip and I didn’t pay duty on it. The question did make me raise an eyebrow.

For anyone traveling in the upcoming months:
- If you leave the country and have expensive items with you, I would suggest carrying some proof that you had it before the trip.
- If you purchase abroad, I wouldn’t risk it and not declare. With items getting more expensive here, they are expecting people to travel and shop abroad.

The officer told me at the end that they sent me to secondary because I usually have items to declare and I didn’t have any today. (I guess they found me not shopping strange 😂)

Were you traveling with receipts because you anticipated being stopped on return? I don’t even keep my receipts and I certainly don’t travel with them!

 

[Bdbunny]

May I presume that the old photos were acceptable? I haven’t been stopped but was prepared to go with the old photo in the absence of receipts.

Were you traveling with receipts because you anticipated being stopped on return? I don’t even keep my receipts and I certainly don’t travel with them!

There is a CBP form 4457 that one can fill out prior to leaving the country to register your items and allow for duty free reentry of personal items.

I’ve never used this form before but I always declare if I am over my exemption so except for one time, the agents haven’t searched my belongings. That one time was super scary and one of the reasons I always declare every time. Although it’s probably not a bad idea to fill out this form if one is taking a lot of expensive items abroad for a trip.

I recently came back from a short trip to Japan and purposely didn’t shop enough to go over our exemption and truthfully told them nothing to declare and wasn’t flagged for secondary screening. Yay.

 

[bindi178]

Were you traveling with receipts because you anticipated being stopped on return? I don’t even keep my receipts and I certainly don’t travel with them!

No, I wasn’t expecting to be stopped. Every time I travel, I take the receipt of that item(bag, watch, expensive jewelry) because I have heard/read horror stories from other people.

I started traveling with receipts in 2019 after a trip from Monaco. I declared the items I had and the customs officer asked me about the other designer items. I said I bought them in the US. His response was well the burden of proof is on you. Otherwise, we will assume you bought them on the trip.

 

[bindi178]

There is a CBP form 4457 that one can fill out prior to leaving the country to register your items and allow for duty free reentry of personal items.

I’ve never used this form before but I always declare if I am over my exemption so except for one time, the agents haven’t searched my belongings. That one time was super scary and one of the reasons I always declare every time. Although it’s probably not a bad idea to fill out this form if one is taking a lot of expensive items abroad for a trip.

I recently came back from a short trip to Japan and purposely didn’t shop enough to go over our exemption and truthfully told them nothing to declare and wasn’t flagged for secondary screening. Yay.

I’ve never used the form 4457 because of having to get it stamped by CBP before you leave. You have to attempt to enter the customs/immigration hall and get the form stamped and I’ve never been able to enter. Every airport is different but I haven’t been able to figure it out.

 

[Kidney101]

May I presume that the old photos were acceptable? I haven’t been stopped but was prepared to go with the old photo in the absence of receipts.

I have no proof to show the officer that I purchased those items in the US aside from having those old photos. He checked the date stamped. So he only taxed me for the 2 bags I purchased from Incheon airport. I am glad I got those pictures to be honest because I cannot argue with them without getting arrested. From now on if I am going out the country I will take pictures of the expensive stuff I will be bringing on my trip just incase they pull me on the side.

 

[Bdbunny]

I’ve never used the form 4457 because of having to get it stamped by CBP before you leave. You have to attempt to enter the customs/immigration hall and get the form stamped and I’ve never been able to enter. Every airport is different but I haven’t been able to figure it out.

At EWR, it’s pretty accessible. Same place where they do the Global Entry interviews. Although I’ve never used the form either.

Oh one more thing the agent told me last time I declared. He said for new purchases that need to be declared, if people say they lost the receipt and can’t prove the value, they go online and look for the cost. And I said well if it’s a Birkin bag, the online cost will be more expensive because it’s a reseller and not from the store. And he said if there’s a dispute over the value then they will confiscate the item until the dispute is settled! 😱 I imagine this is probably rare because the VAT form would have the value of the item on it. It probably happens when people are really trying to hide their purchases and don’t even submit for VAT refund and get pulled for secondary screening. Anyway we were just having a friendly conversation after I already declared my items and showed him all the documentation.

 

[textilegirl]

At EWR, it’s pretty accessible. Same place where they do the Global Entry interviews. Although I’ve never used the form either.

Oh one more thing the agent told me last time I declared. He said for new purchases that need to be declared, if people say they lost the receipt and can’t prove the value, they go online and look for the cost. And I said well if it’s a Birkin bag, the online cost will be more expensive because it’s a reseller and not from the store. And he said if there’s a dispute over the value then they will confiscate the item until the dispute is settled! 😱 I imagine this is probably rare because the VAT form would have the value of the item on it. It probably happens when people are really trying to hide their purchases and don’t even submit for VAT refund and get pulled for secondary screening. Anyway we were just having a friendly conversation after I already declared my items and showed him all the documentation.

I honestly don’t understand why people bother trying to avoid paying what they owe. I mean I guess I do get it, but all it takes is one agent having a bad day and things can go so wrong.

It’s not like there’s any dispute about the facts, if you’re bringing in more than the allowance, duty is owed. And while it may be complicated, there’s a big fat book that contains all of the necessary information to perform the calculations. Your connecting flight could be long gone while you wait for the displeased officer to complete those calculations, and three more potential flights to your ultimate destination will have gone while you argue with Officer Displeased about exactly which sections of the code are applicable. And this, over an amount that is likely a fraction of the price you paid for the item that you knew or should have known would be subject to duty charges. (To be sure, current circumstances may change all of that but I think it’s only likely to be more difficult rather than less should there be a problem.) It’s all about risk, but to my mind it’s not even close to worth it. Of course, YMMV