When and How to Declare Your Spends Before Going Through Customs | Ally (2024)

FAQs

How do you answer "Do you have anything to declare?"? ›

If they ask if you have anything to declare you can say: “I declare that I have…” and then tell them anything important that you have with you. Here are a few examples of things you may wish to declare… Anything from the aforementioned list that you think you can bring.

(a) On your declaration form (CBP Form 6059B), list everything you acquired on your trip that is accompanying you. You must also complete a separate Declaration of Unaccompanied Articles form (CBP Form 255) for each package or container that will be sent to you after you arrive in the United States.

You may bring large sums of money with you in the form of cash, money order, or traveler's checks. There is no maximum limit, however, any amount exceeding $10,000 USD must be declared upon arrival on both the Form 6059B and FinCEN 105. All forms must be filled in completely and truthfully.

C. Travelers— Travelers carrying currency or other monetary instruments with them shall file FinCEN Form 105 at the time of entry into the United States or at the time of departure from the United States with the Customs officer in charge at any Customs port of entry or departure.

The law states that “any article which is not included in the passenger's declaration and is not mentioned [by the passenger] before examination of the baggage begins” then the article “shall be subject to forfeiture and [the] person shall be liable for a penalty . . . equal to the value of the article.” A list of what ...

The declaration form helps the customs to control goods entering the country, which can affect the country's economy, security or environment. A levy duty may be applied. Travellers have to declare everything they acquired abroad and possibly pay customs duty tax on goods.

Duty-free exemptions

In most cases, travelers are permitted to bring up to $800 worth of merchandise back to the United States without having to pay duty. (Numerous exceptions apply.) Keep in mind that only one liter of alcohol, 200 cigarettes, and 100 cigars may be included in this exemption.

Members of a family residing in one household must declare if the members are collectively carrying over $10,000. If you and your wife are each carrying $6,000, you'd need to report that. Pocket change matters if you're close to the limit. Let's say you have exactly $10,000 in your carryon.

As a general rule of thumb, anything you obtained abroad needs to be declared.

The criminal consequences of failing to report cash are severe. Failing to make a report or making an inaccurate report by omitting or misstating a material fact in a report includes not only forfeiture of the money, but a fine ranging from $250,000 to $500,000 and jail time from 5 to 10 years.

Why declare $10,000 or more when travelling? ›

If you are stopped by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer and more than $10,000 are found on your person or in your belongings, and this money was not declared, you run the very real risk of CBP taking all of the money you were carrying and keeping it.

International travelers entering the United States must declare if they are carrying currency or monetary instruments in a combined amount over $10,000 on their Customs Declaration Form (CBP Form 6059B) and then file a FinCEN Form 105.

Originally Answered: When an airport customs official asks, "Do you have anything to declare?", what exactly do they mean? They are giving you a last chance to tell them about anything that you might have to pay duty on, or to enquire about the status of items which might be dutiable or illegal.

Remember to declare all goods you bring into the United States, including gifts and souvenirs. Even if an item is intended for someone else or has sentimental value, it must be declared. A detailed description and estimated value for each item will facilitate the customs process.

verb (used with object)

, de·clared, de·clar·ing. to make known or state clearly, especially in explicit or formal terms: to declare one's position in a controversy. to announce officially; proclaim: to declare a state of emergency; to declare a winner.