Luz is coming here in 2 weeks and I have a question. Luz and Robin will each have 2 large suitcases full of their clothes and other personal belongings. Do they have to list all that on the customs card or can the just say "nothing to declare"? Everything they will be bringing is used and personal.

<koff> In this forum!
Moving to the US & Bringing Your Stuff, US Customs Regs. for the move

It would be "nothing to declare" in her case. You can find an example form under "gallery".
Good luck.

As long as they don't bring anything made of shells (that need permit to take out of the Philippines), "nothing to declare" should suffice.

When we came back in from our vacation in the Philippines, we brought back some food (baked products) ... native delicacies. I forgot to indicate that in our customs declaration. The customs officer asked me if I had any of such and that's when I realized duh...I did have them. He just corrected our form and waved us through.

Nothing to Declare for us also when my fiancee now wife came on the K1 through JFK>

Thanks Meauxna, I read the brochure and I understand that her personal stuff is duty free. That leaves the question of how to fill out the form. Since everything is personal, used and exempt does that mean she does not need to list it on the form? I.E. leave the back of the form blank? I already told her to make a list of everything in her suitcase in case the ask.

Ahhh. I see your question now, d'oh!
The brochure explains the difference between household and personal goods; I suspect she's bringin more of the latter than former.
The Canadians used to always have to do the inventory, but I have not read of *anyone* else completing this form with an inventory.

I'm going to ask zyggy to drop by here--maybe he can enlighten us (I looked all through cbp.gov and couldn't find the answer, grrr).

good luck to you both gary...all the best

I went through the cbp site also and didn't see the answer so I decided to call them. The nice lady on the phone said that personal effects were exempt and need not be listed. They are only interested in things that are bought overseas and brought over as gifts or to be resold.
Thanks!!

Super! Thanks for passing along the official word.

I disagree...

One should be completely open and declare everything that they are bringing into the US... it is up to the CBP officer to make the determination on whether the goods are dutiable or not or whether they are permissible into the US or not... not the immigrant or the importer...

I'd hate to see a CBP officer getting rather upset at you because you didn't declare what you brought into the US even though it was perfectly free of duty...

I think it would be brtter to list the clothing as "Used Personal Effects" and "two suitcases" with a value of 0 than to list nothing at all... but I'm anal that way...

Ok, I am getting conflicting information here. When I called the US Customs Agency I asked them directly if she needed to list her clothing on the back of the form. She said no. I also got a reply from some in the Manila Embassy thread that recently came in and they said that they said "Nothing to Declare" with no problems. I have no problem with whatever is the correct answer, I just need to know what to tell Luz to do.
So it is your opinion that she should declare her clothing with a value of zero? Do you think she should have a detailed list of everything or just lump it all together as 2 suitcases full of used clothing? I am running out of time here. She leaves for Manila in 1 day.

I would just place "2 suitcases - used personal effects" on the line with a value of 0... if they have any questions about it, they will ask, but I have a feeling that no questions will be asked...

You 're a little different than most people going through the POE... you're immigrating and everything that you're bringing is an importation of goods since they were purchased outside of the US and will remain here to be used... However, they're non-dutiable... However, in your case, they should be declared since you are importing goods, but give them the value of 0 to show that they are non-dutiable...

Ok, it's better err on the side of caution. I will tell her to do that. Would that mean she should go through the "something to declare" line or the "nothing to declare" line.
Thank you for your help.

I didn't know there was such a line... I was at a land POE, but the DTW POE doesn't segregate in that manner... there's only one line...does yours?..

Ah, that all makes even more sense--I think I used the term 'nothing to declare' incorrectly, Gary.

I think that MSP (Minneapolis) has 2 different officers that take the forms. I could be wrong because I always say "nothing to declare".

Yep, we've got two lines. And it's a bit of a pain going through the "something to declare" side. I'd never do it, especially when all I had was clothes. Others here know more than me, but that's what I would do 100% of the time. I don't think they expect immigrants to have everything to declare.

When I came to the US I brought only personal belongings (my used clothing), and I didnt declare anything. I dont think it's necessary. You dont declare your clothes or luggage when travelling abroad. Like someone mentioned before, it applies only if you're bring goods as gifts or to be resold.

And frankly, I think that declaring your used clothes and luggage might create confusion when entering the country. Keep it simple.

Ana