Bringing stuff through customs

[lustanovska 0]

Hi,

We received a large painting of Jesus on a piece of wood for our wedding. We got married in Europe and the tree is European. I'm wondering if it'll be a problem to bring it to the US. It's been cut for over a year, but not really 'treated'. For example, paint doesn't cover the whole piece of wood, but rather the artist used the contures of the wood in the painting. I'd rather leave it in Europe than have it confiscated, but when looking at the sample landing card, it seems you only have to mark 'plants' and since it's dead, that doesn't seem to count or 'wildlife products' and that makes me think of something from animals not trees. Maybe I don't even have to declare it. What do you think?

Thanks,

Laura

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I think they're interested in plantlife that would be propagated in the US or things that have soil that might have bugs. That's more of an agricultural protection.

Here's a couple of links to Customs and Border protection pages with more on what is prohibited and allowed.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/clearing...neralGuidelines

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation..._restricted.xml

[Beth/ Paris Heart 2]

Hi,

We received a large painting of Jesus on a piece of wood for our wedding. We got married in Europe and the tree is European. I'm wondering if it'll be a problem to bring it to the US. It's been cut for over a year, but not really 'treated'. For example, paint doesn't cover the whole piece of wood, but rather the artist used the contures of the wood in the painting. I'd rather leave it in Europe than have it confiscated, but when looking at the sample landing card, it seems you only have to mark 'plants' and since it's dead, that doesn't seem to count or 'wildlife products' and that makes me think of something from animals not trees. Maybe I don't even have to declare it. What do you think?

Thanks,

Laura

Laura, Im a Import specialist, I clear international freight thru U.S. Customs, NO its not a problem at all for yu to bring to U.S. Just make sure when you declare it, tell CBP officer it was a wedding gift.

No its not wildlife "dead animals" is what that pertains to, also known as hunting trophies, yuck.

But ither way, declare to CBP and explain you hand carried to keep from being damaged in shipping to USA. Oh they may ask what type of wood it is, so be prepared there. CBP asked me when I purchased a wooden statue from a flea market in Paris, I had no problems.

Edited September 7, 2009 by Paris Heart

[lustanovska 0]

Laura, Im a Import specialist, I clear international freight thru U.S. Customs, NO its not a problem at all for yu to bring to U.S. Just make sure when you declare it, tell CBP officer it was a wedding gift.

No its not wildlife "dead animals" is what that pertains to, also known as hunting trophies, yuck.

But ither way, declare to CBP and explain you hand carried to keep from being damaged in shipping to USA. Oh they may ask what type of wood it is, so be prepared there. CBP asked me when I purchased a wooden statue from a flea market in Paris, I had no problems.

Thank you!

[lenaandbilly 0]

What about a desktop computer? Anyone know whether that's allowed? I've read some stuff about software but nothing directly about a computer. Thanks in advance if anyone knows.

William

[NutMagnet 2]

Hi,

We received a large painting of Jesus on a piece of wood for our wedding. We got married in Europe and the tree is European. I'm wondering if it'll be a problem to bring it to the US. It's been cut for over a year, but not really 'treated'. For example, paint doesn't cover the whole piece of wood, but rather the artist used the contures of the wood in the painting. I'd rather leave it in Europe than have it confiscated, but when looking at the sample landing card, it seems you only have to mark 'plants' and since it's dead, that doesn't seem to count or 'wildlife products' and that makes me think of something from animals not trees. Maybe I don't even have to declare it. What do you think?

Thanks,

Laura

Can you exchange it or get your money back and buy something else? Seems like a problem.

Edited October 29, 2009 by NutMagnet

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

A desktop isn't any different then a laptop I suppose...I've carried parts through customs before (hard drives, video cards etc.) and never had a problem....though I never claim them.

Is it brand new in a box or used?

Edited October 30, 2009 by Sousuke

[Baltar 0]

I carried a desktop over once intenationally and never had any issue - it was a mini tower, small enough to fit in the overhead checking. No one complained, but that was before 9-11 and the TSA/DHS idiots..

With that said, I did carry a 19in LCD monitor intenationally and no one cared, it fit in my huge laptop bag and i took it handluggage.

The only thing that would worry me, is it the desktop wouldn't fit in overhead compartment, then they'll make you check it in.. where it gets treated like a normal piece of lugagge..

styrofoam, just pack lots of styrofoam.. if you're really good with computers, pull the hard-drives out for hand luggage.. if those get dropped or hit really hard then it can get damaged.

I build my own computers, and it was for my uncle who wanted one built, so i got the parts and everything, put it together in a mini tower and took it with me since i wanted to visit them too. I'd worry if its bigger than a Mid-tower though, but i think I'm the only person building computers in full tower server cases these days

Edited October 31, 2009 by Baltar

[lyekka 5]

I carried a desktop over once intenationally and never had any issue - it was a mini tower, small enough to fit in the overhead checking. No one complained, but that was before 9-11 and the TSA/DHS idiots..

With that said, I did carry a 19in LCD monitor intenationally and no one cared, it fit in my huge laptop bag and i took it handluggage.

The only thing that would worry me, is it the desktop wouldn't fit in overhead compartment, then they'll make you check it in.. where it gets treated like a normal piece of lugagge..

styrofoam, just pack lots of styrofoam.. if you're really good with computers, pull the hard-drives out for hand luggage.. if those get dropped or hit really hard then it can get damaged.

I build my own computers, and it was for my uncle who wanted one built, so i got the parts and everything, put it together in a mini tower and took it with me since i wanted to visit them too. I'd worry if its bigger than a Mid-tower though, but i think I'm the only person building computers in full tower server cases these days

Having traveled internationally lots with my computer equipment I wouldnt check any of the hardware. Just remove the individual pieces from the tower, make sure you first put them in a non static bag, and stick into a clear bag that is easily removeable from your carry on. You can then check the empty tower. Video card, sound card, mother board, and your hard drives are easily packed and carried on the plane. As long as you put them through the scanner your fine. Im a photographer so when I travel to Australia to see my fiance I always have a ton of equipment with me. And they let me carry all of that on the plane. Good luck!