What would they ask at POE?

[Vishal Dude 0]

Guys, I'm flying soon.

Could you please help me to understand what should I bring with me (and what should NOT) to USA?

Thanks

[carton025 38]

only bring what you need. i offer as an example, when i visited my gal in the Phil. I only had 2 changings of clothes. The rest I got there. In other words, if you got to have it, bring it. the rest you can get when you get there. i hope this helps. best of luck!

Sid

[Penguin_ie 5,994]

only bring what you need. i offer as an example, when i visited my gal in the Phil. I only had 2 changings of clothes. The rest I got there. In other words, if you got to have it, bring it. the rest you can get when you get there. i hope this helps. best of luck!

Sid

Your visit to the Phils is rather different than immigrating to the USA...

OP: you won't be asked many questions at POE- mostly where you live, and finger prints will be taken. POE doesn't usually take long, just make sure they take the Big Brown Envelope off you, the one you are not allowed to open. YOu need nothing else (well, your passport) for the immigration officers at POE.

There are limitations as to food stuffs you can bring, so be careful with that. You can bring electronics etc as long as they are your own. If you have a lot of stuff or big/ heavy things such as furniture, kids toys etc, you may consider shipping them, it is much cheaper than paying overweight lugage charges.

[carton025 38]

Your visit to the Phils is rather different than immigrating to the USA...

OP: you won't be asked many questions at POE- mostly where you live, and finger prints will be taken. POE doesn't usually take long, just make sure they take the Big Brown Envelope off you, the one you are not allowed to open. YOu need nothing else (well, your passport) for the immigration officers at POE.

There are limitations as to food stuffs you can bring, so be careful with that. You can bring electronics etc as long as they are your own. If you have a lot of stuff or big/ heavy things such as furniture, kids toys etc, you may consider shipping them, it is much cheaper than paying overweight lugage charges.

I don't get it! what info, or lack of info, that I offered was incorrect?\

Regards,

Sid

[Penguin_ie 5,994]

I don't get it! what info, or lack of info, that I offered was incorrect?\

Regards,

Sid

You answered a question he did not ask. He asked what questions would be asked at POE when immigrating, and what he could/ could not bring. You answered what you brought to a vacation. VERY different scenarios- your answer is not incorrect, but simply not applicable in this case.

[carton025 38]

You answered a question he did not ask. He asked what questions would be asked at POE when immigrating, and what he could/ could not bring. You answered what you brought to a vacation. VERY different scenarios- your answer is not incorrect, but simply not applicable in this case.

again, i offered the following, "only bring what you need." I did offer as an example what I did on vacation, as you put it. Please do not play games with me ok?

Regards,

Sid

[Vishal Dude 0]

Thanks Guys!! chill!!

You both answered my questions

I was wondering if I can bring few (may be 4-5) medicines with me for headeck or some.during the flight or after reaching there?

also if I need to declare the electronics I have? they are mine own.

[carton025 38]

Hi,

Queen Penguin has "issues" with me so I will leave it to her to answer this question.

Best of luck!

Sid

[Penguin_ie 5,994]

Are they prescription medicines? If so, you should bring a letter from your doctor but a reasonable amount for yourself should be fine to bring.

Yes, if you bring high end electronics you will need to declare them, but are unlikely to have to pay duty.

[Vishal Dude 0]

Are they prescription medicines? If so, you should bring a letter from your doctor but a reasonable amount for yourself should be fine to bring.

Yes, if you bring high end electronics you will need to declare them, but are unlikely to have to pay duty.

thanks, I'll take few medicines just in case.

For electronics, may be like tablet, handy-cam, phone, etc.

[carton025 38]

It would be in your best interest to not bring meds into the US. Just my educated opinion, bringing electronics into the US can be tricky. I would declare each item as Personal item(s).

Sid

[scienceworks 64]

Since you are coming on an immigrant visa, there shouldn't be much trouble. If you bring prescription medicine, please bring only reasonable amount, not a carton. And also have a doctor's note. You can bring spices ( of course, you are from India). But have it in your luggage. To be honest, try to minimize the stuff in your carry-on. Less the carry-on, less the headache with security. Try not to bring any raw vegetables, fruits, meat products, raw seeds. IF you declare no and you get caught, the fines are in the range of $500 and technically you lied. So better don't bring it. In major airports, they use sniffing-dogs to catch food. You can bring the above stated foods, but you need to declare.

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/82/kw/can%20I%20bring%20in%20spices/session/L3NpZC9oNm0qUDR4bA%3D%3D

Prohibited items that are not declared by passengers are confiscated and disposed of by CBP agriculture specialists. But that’s not all. Civil penalties may be assessed for violations and may range up to $1,000 for a first-time offense. Depending on whether the confiscated, undeclared items are intentionally concealed, or determined to be for commercial use, civil penalties may be assessed as high as $50,000 for individuals. The same fines apply to prohibited agricultural products sent through the international mail.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/clearing/agri_prod_inus.xml

Edited August 6, 2013 by scienceworks

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to General-Immigration-Related Discussion; topic is applicable to more than just one visa type.

[Andrew and Zihui 10]

As far as clothes, especially considering you are from India, I suggest bringing as much as possible. It gets expensive here...

[Morningmist 76]

That depends on what you are buying and where. Clothes 8 years ago was cheaper in India but when I went recently, they were pretty much the same.

Any money you bring to the US needs to be declared too.