Customs declaration forms
Most countries require arriving passengers to declare goods, currency, food, and restricted items. The form is either paper (distributed on the aircraft or at the airport), electronic (completed through an app or website before departure), or replaced by automated systems for eligible travelers.
What declaration forms are for
Customs declaration forms serve two distinct functions that are sometimes combined on a single card. The first is a duty declaration: identifying goods you are importing above the duty-free allowance so that customs duty and tax can be assessed. The second is a biosecurity or restricted-goods declaration: identifying food, plant material, animal products, currency, medications, and other regulated items regardless of their commercial value.
If the total value of goods you are bringing in exceeds the duty-free allowance — commonly US$800 (US), AU$900 (Australia), €430 (EU) — you must declare them and may pay import duty. The threshold applies per traveler. Family members cannot normally pool allowances.
Food, plant material, animal products, and soil must be declared regardless of value in countries with strict biosecurity rules (notably Australia and New Zealand). The question is not whether the items will be confiscated — an officer will assess that — but whether you declared them honestly. Failure to declare carries penalties; honest declaration does not.
Country-by-country guide
| Country | Form name | Electronic option | Key declarations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | CBP Form 6059B | No (paper at most ports; MPC app at 30+ airports for eligible passports) | Goods over US$800, food, plant material, currency over US$10,000, firearms, commercial goods; all family members may use one form | Being replaced by Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app for eligible travelers; Global Entry members use automated kiosks |
| Australia | Incoming Passenger Card (IPC) | Yes — must complete before landing | All food, plant material, and animal products (strong biosecurity focus); currency over AU$10,000; goods over AU$900 (or AU$450 per family member) | Biosecurity declaration is mandatory and taken very seriously; failing to declare carries fines up to AU$420 on the spot or prosecution |
| New Zealand | Passenger Arrival Card | Yes — must complete before or on arrival | All food, plant material, animal products, outdoor equipment; currency over NZ$10,000; goods over NZ$1,000 | Biosecurity focus similar to Australia; X-ray and detector dog inspections at arrival; digital card (NZTC) being rolled out |
| Japan | Customs Declaration (Form C) | Yes — one form per family | Dutiable goods, currency over ¥1,000,000 equivalent, restricted items, unaccompanied goods; a second form covers unaccompanied baggage | Visit Japan Web app allows digital submission; paper form still used at most entry points; one family can share a single form |
| Singapore | SG Arrival Card | Yes — mandatory electronic submission within 3 days before arrival | Health declaration, personal details, travel history; replaces paper Disembarkation/Embarkation Card | Fully electronic — no paper form issued; complete via SG Arrival Card website or app; no separate customs form for most travelers |
| Canada | E311 Declaration Card | Paper form still used; ArriveCAN now optional | Goods over CA$800 (or CA$200 for under 24 hours, CA$800 for 48+ hours), food, plants, alcohol, tobacco, currency over CA$10,000 | ArriveCAN was mandatory 2020–2023 (COVID measures); now optional; paper E311 form accepted at all land and air ports of entry |
| Thailand | TM6 Arrival/Departure Card | Varies by entry point | Customs form required for goods over THB 20,000 in value or restricted items; TM6 is immigration card not a customs declaration | TM6 was temporarily suspended at most entry points then reintroduced; confirm current requirements at your specific entry point |
| United Kingdom | No standard arrival card | No for most travelers | Customs channel selection (Red / Green / Blue lanes); goods over £390 duty-free allowance must be declared; restricted goods declaration separate | ePassport gates handle immigration automatically for eligible nationalities; no customs declaration form for most travelers unless bringing dutiable goods |
| EU / Schengen Area | Varies by entry country | No for intra-Schengen arrivals | First Schengen entry point is customs clearance for entire Schengen area; non-Schengen arrivals declare dutiable goods at first entry country | No single EU customs form — each Schengen country issues its own form for non-Schengen arrivals; currency over €10,000 must be declared |
| India | Customs Declaration Form | Yes for dutiable goods or restricted items | Currency over INR 25,000 or USD 5,000 equivalent; goods over INR 50,000 duty-free allowance; prohibited/restricted items | Most passengers completing the Green Channel (no dutiable goods) do not fill a form; Red Channel travelers complete a written declaration |
Declaration thresholds and form types change. Verify current requirements with the destination customs authority or official government travel guidance before travel.
When to use the Red Channel
Most airports operate a channel system for customs clearance. The Red Channel (or Red Lane) is for passengers who have dutiable goods, restricted items, or items they are unsure about. The Green Channel is for passengers with nothing to declare above the allowance and no restricted goods.
Use the Red Channel if you are carrying: goods above the duty-free threshold; food, plant material, or animal products (in countries where this is required); currency above the declaration threshold; medications that may be restricted; or goods you are unsure about. It is always preferable to voluntarily declare than to be stopped and found with undeclared goods.
Legal status of declarations
A customs declaration is a legal statement. Selecting "nothing to declare" or leaving items undeclared on the form is a formal assertion to the customs authority that you are not carrying goods above the threshold or on the restricted items list. False declarations are treated as customs fraud in most jurisdictions.
Penalties for false declarations range from on-the-spot fines and confiscation of goods to criminal prosecution. Australian border force officers issue on-the-spot infringement notices of AU$420 for undeclared biosecurity items — this is distinct from prosecution. In the US, intentional false customs declarations can result in goods seizure and civil or criminal penalties.
Honest declaration does not mean automatic confiscation. An officer assesses declared items. Food, plant material, and animal products may be inspected and cleared, treated, or confiscated depending on what they are. Declaring them honestly is always the correct approach.
For destination-specific import rules — duty allowances, prohibited and restricted goods, and category-specific rules — see the individual country profiles.