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For those of you who travel a lot usually know what customs will permit you to bring back, but there are some things that they won’t let into the country due to disease, or potential harm it can bring to those here. Customs are working diligently to keep specific things out of the country and to avoid violating any international laws since hunting animals and bringing back their skins and ivory-based products are also among the products that are not allowed in the United States since it violates laws protecting elephants that were on the endangered species list especially from Asia. That’s why it’s ideal to find out from the state department what you’re allowed to bring back from certain Asian countries items that may or may not be allowed here in the States. Some people don’t know that they’re unknowingly violating laws with customs by bringing back things that aren’t allowed in the country since customs are trying to protect people from disease and infestation of things from products that originate from a foreign land.
Customs agents will likely to detain someone if they can’t answer to where they got the items they’re bringing into the country. It’s not just animal based items they’re also stopping those who bring back electronic items like computer related things because they could contain information for illegal activities or things to commit computer espionage. Anyone traveling with medication are advised to leave their medications in their original bottles and containers with the labels in tact with the doctor’s name visible to avoid questioning and possible detainment from customs since drug dealers will hide small shipments in stuff like medicine bottles which usually passes quickly through customs since intact bottles will not draw attention to customs agents. Customs will also inspect any electronic equipment like cameras and computers and will ask that you fill out a form called form 4457 which means you have to show the item to a customs agent for it to be registered so it’s on record that the item was purchased in the states.
Customs agents also advise people to keep their bags with them at all times and to not accept packages or bags from strangers because many people who unknowingly accept these things could be transferring things that is considered contraband. Customs also advise people the same thing when leaving out of a foreign airport because the laws are not the same in other places with their customs agents and in some cases the laws are much more harsher in foreign countries than in the United States so custom agents in the states are saying what they’re saying to save you from being detained in a country that you are not familiar with in terms of their laws and immigration policies. Travelers should be careful and watch their possessions because foreigners who don’t want to get stopped in the states will knowingly trick people into transporting something they believe is harmless, but later find out will get them detained for crossing international boundaries with contraband or other illegal items. Your best bet as a traveler is to basically keep tabs on your own possessions.
To avoid having to pay duty on foreign-made personal items you owned before you left on your trip, bring along a bill of sale, insurance policy, jeweler's appraisal, or receipts of purchase. Or you can register items that can be readily identified by a permanently affixed serial number or marking -- think laptop computers, cameras, and CD players -- with Customs before you leave. Take the items to the nearest Customs office or register them with Customs at the airport from which you're departing. You'll receive, at no cost, a Certificate of Registration, which allows duty-free entry for the life of the item.
Customs regulations on items coming aboard flights
