Skip to content
GOODS ACROSS BORDERS

US / USA

United StatesUnited States

VERIFIED · 2026-04-25
CODEUS
ISO3USA
REGIONAMERICAS
VAT0%
DE MINIMISUS$800
CASH THRESHOLDUS$10000

Customs authority

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)Official site

Duty-free allowances (arriving travelers)

CategoryAllowance
Alcohol1L
Cigarettes200
Personal goods valueUS$800
800 USD duty-free exemption for returning residents after 48+ hours abroad. Alcohol allowance (1 L) applies to travelers 21+. Up to 200 cigarettes (1 carton) or 100 cigars. Additional goods up to $1,600 are taxed at flat 4% rate.

De minimis import threshold

USD EQUIVALENT

US$800

LOCAL CURRENCY

800 USD

AS OF

2016-02-24

Raised from $200 to $800 by the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015. Shipments at or below $800 enter duty-free and tax-free with minimal documentation. Section 321 exemption.

Cash declaration

THRESHOLD (USD)

US$10000

LOCAL AMOUNT

USD

Restricted categories

  • RESTRICTEDFirearms and ammunition (requires permits/licenses)
  • RESTRICTEDCertain agricultural products (fruits, vegetables, meats — inspection required)
  • RESTRICTEDTrademarked goods (limited personal-use quantities)
  • RESTRICTEDPrescription medications (personal-use quantities only)
  • RESTRICTEDAlcohol (state regulations apply; requires importer license for commercial quantities)
  • RESTRICTEDCultural artifacts and antiquities

Prohibited categories

  • PROHIBITEDNarcotics and controlled substances
  • PROHIBITEDCounterfeit goods
  • PROHIBITEDObscene material
  • PROHIBITEDProducts made with forced or child labor
  • PROHIBITEDEndangered species products (CITES)
  • PROHIBITEDAbsinthe containing thujone above 10 ppm
  • PROHIBITEDCuban cigars exceeding personal-use quantities (pre-2016 restrictions mostly lifted but commercial import still restricted)

Special notes

  • FinCEN Form 105 required for cash or monetary instruments over $10,000.
  • CBP Form 6059B (Customs Declaration) must be completed on arrival.
  • Goods from certain sanctioned countries (Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria) face severe import restrictions.
  • USDA APHIS regulates plant and animal product imports.
  • Section 232 tariffs apply to steel and aluminum imports; Section 301 tariffs apply to many Chinese goods.
  • Global tariff increases announced in 2025 affect many trading partners — verify current rates at cbp.gov.

Import documentation

  • —CBP Form 6059B (Customs Declaration) — all arriving travelers
  • —CBP Form 7523 (Entry and Manifest of Merchandise) — informal entry
  • —CBP Form 3461 (Entry/Immediate Delivery) — commercial formal entry
  • —Commercial Invoice
  • —Packing List
  • —Bill of Lading or Airway Bill
  • —Certificate of Origin (where applicable for FTA preference)
  • —Importer Security Filing (ISF 10+2) for ocean freight

Posting restrictions

Postal imports follow the same $800 de minimis threshold. USPS international parcels are subject to CBP examination. Commercial shipments via post require formal entry if over $2,500.

Top documented rules

10 of 80
See all prohibited →See all restricted →

Related trade routes & FTAs

Active Free Trade Agreements

Airports

  • JFKJohn F. Kennedy International Airport

    All terminals route arriving international passengers through CBP. Mobile Passport Control supported for eligible nationalities.

  • LAXLos Angeles International Airport

    Tom Bradley International Terminal handles most non-US carrier arrivals. Global Entry kiosks at all terminals.

Land borders

  • Canada — Trusted-traveler programs (NEXUS / Global Entry); USMCA Form simplifies commercial.
  • Mexico — USMCA + SENTRI; cartel-corridor enforcement varies by port.

Leaving United States

Export of certain goods (controlled technology, dual-use items, defence articles) requires authorisation from BIS, DDTC, or OFAC depending on commodity. Personal effects of departing residents are generally unrestricted. Cash above US$10,000 must be declared on FinCEN Form 105 outbound as well as inbound.

PROHIBITED EXPORT

  • exports-to-comprehensively-sanctioned-jurisdictions

RESTRICTED EXPORT

  • controlled-technology-eccn
  • defense-articles-itar
  • sanctioned-destinations
  • cultural-property-pre-columbian

Pre-arrival apps

  • ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization)

    Visa Waiver Program nationals before boarding to the US

    Official site

  • Mobile Passport Control

    US citizens, lawful permanent residents, and select visitors at participating airports

    Official site

Regulatory timeline

  • Section 321 de minimis $800 limit reaffirmed in CBP guidance; e-commerce parcels stay duty-free under threshold. cbp.gov
  • Executive order suspends de minimis treatment for shipments from China and Hong Kong; reinstated 30 days later pending CBP processing capacity. cbp.gov
  • FDA personal-importation policy clarified for GLP-1 medications (Ozempic, Wegovy) — 90-day supply with prescription. fda.gov

Known scams

  • Fake ESTA submission websites that charge inflated fees ($50-$100 instead of the official US$21). Always use the official esta.cbp.dhs.gov domain. cbp.gov
  • Phishing 'CBP refund' emails or texts claiming a customs payment is owed. CBP does not collect duty by email link. Verify any notice through the official portal. cbp.gov

DECLARATION FORM LANGUAGES

en, es, fr, zh, ja, ko, vi

Top item rules for United States

PROHIBITED

RESTRICTED

COMMONLY ALLOWED

Source: rules indexed for United States. See full rule list under the relevant traveling, posting, and importing hubs.

Frequently asked questions

How much alcohol can I bring into United States duty-free?

Travellers arriving in United States may bring 1 L of alcohol duty-free. Anything above the allowance must be declared at the red channel. 800 USD duty-free exemption for returning residents after 48+ hours abroad. Alcohol allowance (1 L) applies to travelers 21+. Up to 200 cigarettes (1 carton) or 100 cigars. Additional goods up to $1,600 are taxed at flat 4% rate.

How many cigarettes can I bring into United States?

200 cigarettes per traveller (or proportionally less in cigars / tobacco). Above-limit tobacco must be declared.

Do I need to declare cash entering United States?

Yes. Cash and equivalent bearer instruments above USD 10000 (USD) must be declared on arrival.

What is United States's de minimis import threshold?

800 USD (~USD 800). Raised from $200 to $800 by the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015. Shipments at or below $800 enter duty-free and tax-free with minimal documentation. Section 321 exemption.

Is VAT or GST charged on imports into United States?

United States sets its own indirect tax rules; check U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Can I bring prescription medication into United States?

Prescription medicines for personal use are generally allowed in reasonable quantities (typically 30-90 days' supply), accompanied by the original prescription and ideally a doctor's letter. Some controlled substances need import authorisation. Verify with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for your specific medicine.

Can I send gifts by post to United States?

Gifts are accepted by post but are still subject to United States's import rules. Tax-relief gift thresholds (where they exist) are typically much lower than commercial thresholds. Declare honestly on the CN22/CN23 — undervaluation is treated as fraud.

What documents do I need to import commercially into United States?

A customs declaration filed with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), a commercial invoice, packing list, and transport document (AWB or B/L). Add a Certificate of Origin to claim FTA preferential duty. Sector-specific imports (food, plants, animals, medicines, electronics, dangerous goods) need additional permits.

What happens at United States's red and green channels?

The green channel is for travellers with nothing to declare. The red channel is for travellers carrying anything above allowances or any restricted goods. Spot checks happen at both. Lying or hiding goods can lead to seizure plus penalties.

What items are prohibited in United States?

Narcotics and controlled substances; Counterfeit goods; Obscene material. See the full prohibited list on this page.

What items are restricted into United States?

Firearms and ammunition (requires permits/licenses); Certain agricultural products (fruits, vegetables, meats — inspection required); Trademarked goods (limited personal-use quantities). Restricted items typically need a permit, certificate, or declaration. See the full restricted list on this page.

How do I declare goods on arrival in United States?

Use the red channel at the airport. Most ports of entry into United States accept either a paper declaration or, increasingly, an electronic declaration via an app or kiosk. Be ready to show receipts, prescriptions, or permits.

Can I bring food into United States?

Most countries restrict animal-origin food (meat, dairy) for biosecurity reasons; sealed commercial packaged food is sometimes permitted. Verify with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)'s agricultural / biosecurity authority before bringing food.

Can I bring vape devices or e-cigarettes into United States?

Vape rules are changing fast worldwide; United States may have specific restrictions, age limits, or outright bans. Verify on the current U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) guidance before travel — bans have grown markedly since 2023.

Can I bring medicines containing controlled substances into United States?

Many countries require advance import authorisation for opioids, stimulants, and certain psychiatric medicines. Carry the original prescription, doctor's letter, and original packaging. For controlled substances, contact United States's health authority before travel.

Are duty-free purchases on arrival counted in my allowance?

Yes. Duty-free purchases at the destination airport on arrival count toward your alcohol and tobacco allowance, even though they were purchased after immigration. Buying duty-free at departure rather than arrival does not bypass the allowance.

What happens if a parcel arrives over United States's de minimis?

Above the de minimis, customs assesses duty and VAT/GST on the goods value (plus, in some regimes, freight + insurance). The carrier or postal operator usually clears it and bills the recipient. Recipients can refuse delivery if they don't want to pay.

Can I refuse to pay duties and return a parcel?

Yes. If you don't want to pay duties or taxes, you can refuse the parcel and the carrier will return it to sender or destroy it. This does not affect your tax record but means the goods don't enter United States.

How long does customs clearance take in United States?

Standard clearance for compliant parcels is typically same-day to a few days. Holds for incomplete declarations, biosecurity inspection, sanctions screening, or anti-counterfeit checks can take longer. Provide complete declarations to avoid delays.

Who do I contact if my parcel is held by United States customs?

Your carrier (DHL, FedEx, UPS, postal operator) is the first contact — they handle clearance on your behalf. If you need to deal directly with the authority, contact U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) via the contact route on their official site.

What are common customs scams to watch for in United States?

Watch for: fake "customs fees" demands by SMS or email; impostor officials at airports; unsolicited phone calls about a "stuck parcel"; payment requests by gift card. Real customs authorities do not ask for payment via SMS link or gift cards. See our scams page for documented patterns.

Verify against U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) before acting on any answer. Customs rules change frequently.

More for United States

Duty-free allowances

TRAVELING

Medication rules

TRAVELING

Cash declaration

TRAVELING

Importing into United States

IMPORTING

Prohibited post items

POSTING

Top inbound origins

Countries whose travelers most often arrive at United States.

VERIFIED · 2026-04-25
RULES5,339COUNTRIES85ITEMS111CARRIERS28GUIDES37UNIQUE SOURCES614LATEST VERIFICATION2026-05-13MethodologyChangelog