Declarations Issue

[Bugs 455]

My fiance will be flying here the day before Christmas on a K-1 visa - a direct Manila to Los Angeles flight. She will be bringing a few gifts. Among these will be small wedding favors which include 30 of one item. Will this raise a red flag or cause issues when she goes through customs at the Los Angeles POE?

[Hypnos 6,576]

It would depend upon exactly what it was. Crack cocaine, probably not; teddy bears, you should be fine (unless they are stuffed with crack cocaine).

You can find a list of prohibited items here: http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/kbyg/prohibited_restricted.xml

[David & Diana R 1,005]

My fiance will be flying here the day before Christmas on a K-1 visa - a direct Manila to Los Angeles flight. She will be bringing a few gifts. Among these will be small wedding favors which include 30 of one item. Will this raise a red flag or cause issues when she goes through customs at the Los Angeles POE?

She is arriving on a K-1 visa. I assume the wedding favors are for her/your wedding? I have to guess that if she explains this it should be okay as long as it is not a prohibited item. Like 30 laptops might cause a red flag but 30 styrofoam cups with chocolate kisses should not alarm anyone.

Wow you're gonna have a terific Christmas. God Bless both of you and have a wonderful Christmas.

Aloha Ke Akua

[Bugs 455]

Thanks guys!

[shell20 746]

Congratulations!!! And yes it all depends on what items she is bringing. If its chocolate that's allowed, plants seeds, meat etc are NOT allowed. Whatever she brings she does need to declare it and they do hand out forms on the plane to declare items. I visited my fiance in August and I bought chocolate, cheese and a jar of Heinz beans among other things. . I declared it on the form and they did look at the items and said they were fine. It's when you don't declare or hide items that you find yourself in trouble. Hope that helps.

[Bugs 455]

Congratulations!!! And yes it all depends on what items she is bringing. If its chocolate that's allowed, plants seeds, meat etc are NOT allowed. Whatever she brings she does need to declare it and they do hand out forms on the plane to declare items. I visited my fiance in August and I bought chocolate, cheese and a jar of Heinz beans among other things. . I declared it on the form and they did look at the items and said they were fine. It's when you don't declare or hide items that you find yourself in trouble. Hope that helps.

So she has to declare everything? Including her clothes and toiletries?

[shell20 746]

No, not at all, just any food items or gifts.

[shell20 746]

She will be given a customs form on the plane it will ask her questions about food and gifts and she will have to fill it in. It will ask her the value of her gifts, does she have any meat, plants or food and she just says yes or no. It then asks her the value of any gifts and if they will remain in the country she is taking them too.

[shell20 746]

this looks like a sample form.http://www.**.com/immigration/sample-us-customs-form-6059b.html

[David & Diana R 1,005]

So she has to declare everything? Including her clothes and toiletries?

She does not have to claim her clothes unless "her clothes" are all new in packaging giving the appearance of gifts or items one intends to sell once in the US. I am sure that is not the case so there is nothing to worry about. The customs/declarations form is a little confusing so if she is confused perhaps she can ask one of the stewards to help her? English is my wifes fourth language (she is also from the Philippines) so she had a little trouble understanding the form but then again so did I and all I speak is English! Leave it to the government. hahahaha

Anyway God Bless

Aloha Ke Akua

this looks like a sample form.http://www.**.com/immigration/sample-us-customs-form-6059b.html

Great help!

[Bugs 455]

Okay thanks for clearing that up guys.

this looks like a sample form.http://www.**.com/immigration/sample-us-customs-form-6059b.html

Thanks, I actually snatched a couple of blank ones for her to practice on - brought it to her on my last visit.

[shell20 746]

Not a problem, just hope you have a lovely wedding and Christmas!