POE Item declaring? Is 10,000 the limit?

[LouisePaul 0]

Hello everyone!

So being the optimists we are, we're assuming Paul will get his visa and now have a question or two about POE.

How much can you declare on the form you need to fill out at POE? Is the limit 10,000? If you have more than 1,000 will you be pulled aside?

He'll be bringing with him:

Android Smart Phone

Iphone

Ipad

Wedding rings, (he doesn't have them yet, this question will help us decide weather or not to get them in the UK)

Clothing

Drawing tablet

Electric shaver

Some books

Home videos (in DVD form)

What of these things does he need to declare? And will this cause him any problems?

Any extra information about this will be greatly appreciated!!

Thank you for all your help!

Louise

[Pinkrlion 2,611]

Hello everyone!

So being the optimists we are, we're assuming Paul will get his visa and now have a question or two about POE.

How much can you declare on the form you need to fill out at POE? Is the limit 10,000? If you have more than 1,000 will you be pulled aside?

He'll be bringing with him:

Android Smart Phone

Iphone

Ipad

Wedding rings, (he doesn't have them yet, this question will help us decide weather or not to get them in the UK)

Clothing

Drawing tablet

Electric shaver

Some books

Home videos (in DVD form)

What of these things does he need to declare? And will this cause him any problems?

Any extra information about this will be greatly appreciated!!

Thank you for all your help!

Louise

You are only declaring cash or anything that you purchased at duty free store. The 10,000 dollar limit refers to cash, and yes they will pull you into a room and talk to you about why you have more than 10,000.

[LouisePaul 0]

You are only declaring cash or anything that you purchased at duty free store. The 10,000 dollar limit refers to cash, and yes they will pull you into a room and talk to you about why you have more than 10,000.

What's a duty free store? So nothing above has to be declared? At all? When I came back to USA I declared my engagement ring, was that not a good idea? I didn't have any trouble with it though.. humm

[cathy2904 97]

I can't see a reason for declaring any of those items unless they were bought at the airport duty free (ie no tax was paid on them) or you are bringing them in to the US to sell. If they are your own personal possessions then there is no issue as far as I can see.

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

Hello everyone!

So being the optimists we are, we're assuming Paul will get his visa and now have a question or two about POE.

How much can you declare on the form you need to fill out at POE? Is the limit 10,000? If you have more than 1,000 will you be pulled aside?

What of these things does he need to declare? And will this cause him any problems?

Any extra information about this will be greatly appreciated!!

The rules are--

Unlimited amount of household goods and personal effects for an immigrant. Those are defined as items you have owned or had access to for at least one year.

Brand new wedding rings by definition would be declared and could have duty imposed because you have not owned them a year. Best to mingle in carry on with other valuable items or jewelry.

Any gifts (new items) are declared, as is any merchandise bought in the airport. Nonresidents are allowed up to $100 worth of merchandise, free of duty and internal revenue tax, as gifts for other people. These gifts must be included in your declaration and must accompany you. Gifts are not considered as part of household and personal effects.

Cash in your wallet or bag over $10,000 is reported or travellers checks, or any money nstrument. There is no limit or tax to pay. Bring $100,000 if you want. But a report must be filed because the US government keeps a paper trail of large sums of money entering the US. It is for tracking illegal activities like funding terrorism, drugs, and money laundering schemes. If you move more than $10k from one US bank to another US bank, it will be reported by the bank. It is part of the requirements of the Patriot Act following 9/11.

Edited November 23, 2012 by Nich-Nick

[LouisePaul 0]

The rules are--

Unlimited amount of household goods and personal effects for an immigrant. Those are defined as items you have owned or had access to for at least one year.

Brand new wedding rings by definition would be declared and could have duty imposed because you have not owned them a year. Best to mingle in carry on with other valuable items or jewelry.

Any gifts (new items) are declared, as is any merchandise bought in the airport. Nonresidents are allowed up to $100 worth of merchandise, free of duty and internal revenue tax, as gifts for other people. These gifts must be included in your declaration and must accompany you.  Gifts are not considered as part of household and personal effects.

Cash in your wallet or bag over $10,000 is reported or travellers checks, or any money nstrument. There is no limit or tax to pay. Bring $100,000 if you want. But a report must be filed because the US government keeps a paper trail of large sums of money entering the US. It is for tracking illegal activities like funding terrorism, drugs, and money laundering schemes. If you move more than $10k from one US bank to another US bank, it will be reported by the bank. It is part of the requirements of the Patriot Act following 9/11.

Oh right thank you for the break down! This was so helpful, but I have another question lol - so if you bring it carry on do you still have to declare it? Or is it just what you put in your suit case not carry on?

[LouisePaul 0]

Android Smart Phone (Over a year)

Iphone (I think 11 months to maybe a year - i'll need to ask him)

Ipad (4 months)

Wedding rings (it'll be 2 weeks at POE)

Clothing (Over a year except a few things)

Drawing tablet (Over a year)

Electric shaver (9 months)

Some books (over a year)

Home videos (in DVD form) (he burnt them to disk about 8 months ago, still declare?)

So this means he'll need to declare:

Iphone (maybe)

Ipad

Wedding Rings

Electric Shaver

Home videos (these too?)

Thank you for your help!

Louise

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

Android Smart Phone (Over a year)

Iphone (I think 11 months to maybe a year - i'll need to ask him)

Ipad (4 months)

Wedding rings (it'll be 2 weeks at POE)

Clothing (Over a year except a few things)

Drawing tablet (Over a year)

Electric shaver (9 months)

Some books (over a year)

Home videos (in DVD form) (he burnt them to disk about 8 months ago, still declare?)

So this means he'll need to declare:

Iphone (maybe)

Ipad

Wedding Rings

Electric Shaver

Home videos (these too?)

Thank you for your help!

Louise

It doesn't matter if in carry on or checked. The reference is because checking valuables is stupid because they will be stolen.

Louise. You are thinking too literally. How do they know when he bought his shaver? Or iPad? Or jewelry? Well let's see....packed in a brand new box with tags still on the item would be a clue. They aren't going to necessarily open his bags and ask when he bought each item. Everybody has an iPhone. Quite normal. But what if he had 20 iPhones all packed with the boxes and instructions? That might look like he was importing to sell and not likely his personal effects. Or what if he had things all gift wrapped? Probably will be considered a gift. If I bought sunglasses at the airport, I would peel off the labels, throw away the receipts , and put the glasses on my face. Voila...my "old" sunglasses. Just saying'.

[LouisePaul 0]

It doesn't matter if in carry on or checked. The reference is because checking valuables is stupid because they will be stolen.

Louise. You are thinking too literally. How do they know when he bought his shaver? Or iPad? Or jewelry? Well let's see....packed in a brand new box with tags still on the item would be a clue. They aren't going to necessarily open his bags and ask when he bought each item. Everybody has an iPhone. Quite normal. But what if he had 20 iPhones all packed with the boxes and instructions? That might look like he was importing to sell and not likely his personal effects. Or what if he had things all gift wrapped? Probably will be considered a gift. If I bought sunglasses at the airport, I would peel off the labels, throw away the receipts , and put the glasses on my face. Voila...my "old" sunglasses. Just saying'.

Thank you so much! That cleared up a lot lol Your right I was over thinking it, I *was* picturing them asking when you got things if you were over the limit so thank you so much for easing that worry!!

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

Thank you so much! That cleared up a lot lol Your right I was over thinking it, I *was* picturing them asking when you got things if you were over the limit so thank you so much for easing that worry!!

There is no "over the limit" on household goods or personal effects for an immigrant and they cant prove when you bought the shaver anyway. Dont bring new clothing with tags. We came together and had 6 bags, mostly with his stuff. Houston CBP told me to use one form (handed out on the plane) for the both of us. He said just write "household goods" on it with no valuation

So our one form turned in said something like:

Household goods

Cheese $10

Harrods bear $20

I declared the bear because I bought it at the airport and it wasn't going to put us over the allowed duty free limit anyway. I wasn't sure of the rules on cheese and asked the first officer (immigration) if bringing cheese was a problem (thinking cheese> milk> mad cow disease). He answered, "why not? it's only cheese." Nobody looked in the luggage.

Of course they can look in your luggage if they decide to. They are mostly worried about contraband. Pirated DVDs and fake designer items is another. Seems like I read one fake Lois Vuitton is okay for personal use but no more than one fake handbag or they will be confiscated.

[Darnell 8,478]

Also, please remember -

what ever 'limits' you read about ?

90 percent of the time that's for non-immigrants, tourists,

and that's only the thresh-hold.

past the thresh-hold? expect to pay a duty tax.

Seriously, counts and limits not matter - what matters is whether you can pay the tax at customs.

OTOH, immigrants (like you) can bring entire household stuff through, the thresh-holds are different (if any) ..

Good Luck !