I read somewhere on here about ORD, cant remember where though. Maybe check the Detaxe thread.
US Customs discussion - airports, importing
- Thread starter esyee
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Thank you! I found it. Here it is for anyone who else might be wondering:
https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/paris-trip-for-hermes.457159/page-1207#post-30962989
My tpf friends and I have talked about my different experiences in Detroit and at JFK, and we wondered if it is because of the difference in the number of travelers entering from outside the US. Detroit probably doesn't have as many international flights and thus would have less people making declarations.
In Detroit, a customs agent walked me to get my luggage, stood with me until I got it, and then accompanied me back to the customs area-- and this took at least 15 minutes of time. We couldn't imagine that every happening at JFK-- you would need so many customs agents.
And I do have to say that it felt very odd to be standing there with an agent. I really wasn't sure where it was all going because it was so different than JFK.
I have a trip booked back through Charlotte in 6 weeks, so will report on Charlotte then but all this makes me think that Charlotte will be more like Detroit. We shall see.
In Detroit, a customs agent walked me to get my luggage, stood with me until I got it, and then accompanied me back to the customs area-- and this took at least 15 minutes of time. We couldn't imagine that every happening at JFK-- you would need so many customs agents.
And I do have to say that it felt very odd to be standing there with an agent. I really wasn't sure where it was all going because it was so different than JFK.
I have a trip booked back through Charlotte in 6 weeks, so will report on Charlotte then but all this makes me think that Charlotte will be more like Detroit. We shall see.
Hi, I tried to search over the internet and couldn't find the answer, i hope someone can help me here. I will be going to Paris and then to the US and then back home to Hong Kong soon. I intend to purchase some Hermes goodies and hopefully a B. If I get a B, do i need to declare the bag at the US customs? I will be staying for about 2 weeks and then fly back home. Thank you =)
I believe the $800 limit only applies to US residents. If u are a visitor and the goods are not staying in the US, then you should not have to declare. Here's a link to the customs form.
https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/sample-declaration-form
One time at Chicago O'Hare I had a small declaration -- maybe around $1,500 -- and they looked me up on a computer and then waved me through. Another time at JFK for about the same amount I was told that it wasn't enough to worry about.
Were your declarations small like these or larger like my recent Detroit declaration (H bag).
Mine were large amounts like around $5k, they just waved me through. I have global entry so not sure if that makes any difference
For US Citizens only. Quick and dirty answer: It is a US traveler identifier that you can apply for. It speeds up your entry back into the US as you are already "prescreened" by customs/immigration. You skip the typical lines and use a computer kiosk to gain entry back into the US.
To expand on this: Global Entry is a separate bank of kiosks, different to the regular immigration kiosks now being implemented at many US airports. Global Entry membership is for US citizens and permanent residents and requires an application fee of $100, an interview with Homeland Security, and fingerprinting. For US Citizens, if you have Global Entry, you will also have Precheck.
Global Entry has a separate Customs line as well as immigration in most airports.
usually, with Global Entry, if you sleect "Yes" on the kiosk that you have purchased above your exemption, the Global Entry officer will ask you the details. Unlike rclimbing, I've never shown my purchased items/receipts at Global Entry. In the rare event when I have had to declare, I have shown them to a separate customs officer. I am sure it varies from airport to airport.
I am a U.S. citizen and so my next question would be is it really worth it? I maybe travel once every couple years or more and this summer will be my very first time out of the country. I probably won't be going out of the country again for at least a couple years after this.
Depends on what airport you use, and how much you ( or your spouse) hates to wait in line. After waiting an hour to get through immigration at SFO, we applied. Next trip we got to a kiosk immediately and made it to baggage carousel before any bags from our flight. I thought it was worth it! Also, we get guaranteed precheck on all domestic flights- that was really a time saver at both SFO and EWR(Newark) for us, multiple times in the last few years.