Customs and what I'll be bringing through

[Shub 78]

So I'm in the process of getting a K-1, and while all is going well in that department so far, I'm starting to be concerned by customs and what I'm bringing into the US.

You see, I've been dabbling with computers for 15 years, and in that time I've accrued a rather large amount of pirated material, namely movies, music, and software. It's not stuff I need, actually I could do without a lot of it, but there's still a fair quantity that will or, ideally, should be coming with me. Naturally my concern is that the box(es) may be inspected by customs and that may get me into trouble. As the beneficiary of a K-1 petition, I'd hate (to say the least) to be deported a mere few hours or days after my arrival.

The thing is that, right now, I don't know how my stuff will be brought over to the U.S. I will be taking some of it with me on the plane, but most of the stuff I will be bringing will be clothes and documents and small electronics. My hard drives will come with me. The computers will have to be shipped separately, I guess; I still need to figure out/decide how to make that happen. I'll keep the whole "how to move" discussion for another topic another time.

So anyway, and to cut this post short, who here has personally dealt with a similar situation and would like to share their experience?

[Dan J 277]

I doubt they will actually care. Its a secuirty risk (virii, malware, or whatever) to check your cds or plug in your hard drives. So I doubt they actually will. Plus how are they suppose to know that you do or dont own the material. You should be fine.

[Shub 78]

I doubt they will actually care. Its a secuirty risk (virii, malware, or whatever) to check your cds or plug in your hard drives. So I doubt they actually will.

True, but the CDs are all labeled, it only takes a quick look at any of them to know what's on them.

I'm not concerned about the hard drives, just the (hundreds of) discs I'll be bringing.

Plus how are they suppose to know that you do or dont own the material.

Well... if the box is labeled with my name and address, isn't it safe on their part to assume that it's mine, especially with me being a new immigrant and all?

What do you think?

[lucyrich 20]

For the rules, see this page from the CBP.gov website.

As to details of how they're enforced, or whether you can get through on the "personal use exemption", I don't know.

[akdiver 3]

It seems to me that somewhere in the many forms along the whole process to naturalization is a question that says something to the effect of, "have you ever committed any crime for which you have not been caught?" Be sure to answer "yes".

personal use exemption

Certainly doesn't apply to illegal goods.

Ahoy, Matey!

AKDiver

Edited April 10, 2007 by akdiver

[john_and_marlene 162]

The risk may be small, but the penalty is not. Toss it all.

[DeadPoolX 9]

I have to agree with the sentiment in this thread... while it might be nice to hang onto the material you've collected, if it is pirated, it's illegal and that's not going to look good. I'd get rid of it if I were you. The same goes for any "unsavory" items, such as porn or whatever. CBP doesn't look favorably on anything of the sort -- at least to my knowledge.

After you're in, then you could go about re-collecting your stuff (granted, that might be a pain and might take a while, but it's better than not being allowed in) since you'll have made into the country, safe and sound. I'd still be careful though, since there seems to be a crackdown happening on pirated material.

[Kez/JWolf 6]

Rip all the discs onto hard drives and toss the disks... I brought back my PC in bits (just the insides) and then bought a new case here in the US... none of my 8 hard drives were checked for anything at customs...

Kez

[zyggy 9]

Pirated or counterfit material is not importable into the US even if it is part of your used personal effects. There can be severe penalties if it is attempted to be imported...

Anything that is not importable into the US (ivory for example) cannot be brought with your used personal effects... and it is true that CBP is taking a more of an interest in pirated and counterfeit material, especially if you are travelling from a country that has been having problem with it (China for instance)

Edited April 11, 2007 by zyggy

[lucyrich 20]

personal use exemption

Certainly doesn't apply to illegal goods.

Then what exactly do you think it applies to? From the above-linked CPB website:

However, travelers arriving in the United States may be permitted an exemption and allowed to import one article of each type, which must accompany the person, bearing a counterfeit, confusingly similar or restricted gray market trademark, provided that the article is for personal use and is not for sale.

...

In regard to copyright infringement, articles that are determined by CBP to be clearly piratical of a protected copyright, i.e., unauthorized articles that are substantially similar to a material protected by a copyright, are subject to seizure. A personal use exemption for articles, similar to that described above also applies to copyrighted articles for the personal, non-commercial use of the importer and are not for sale or distribution.

[zyggy 9]

personal use exemption

Certainly doesn't apply to illegal goods.

Then what exactly do you think it applies to? From the above-linked CPB website:

However, travelers arriving in the United States may be permitted an exemption and allowed to import one article of each type, which must accompany the person, bearing a counterfeit, confusingly similar or restricted gray market trademark, provided that the article is for personal use and is not for sale.

...

In regard to copyright infringement, articles that are determined by CBP to be clearly piratical of a protected copyright, i.e., unauthorized articles that are substantially similar to a material protected by a copyright, are subject to seizure. A personal use exemption for articles, similar to that described above also applies to copyrighted articles for the personal, non-commercial use of the importer and are not for sale or distribution.

Exactly... For instance.. a tie that looks exactly like a Christian Dior tie but doesn't have a false Christian Dior or anything else insinuating that it is Christian Dior label on it is perfectly fine... Having a knock-off Louis Vuitton bag that is significantly like the original could bring problems...

For music or a video.. you can't do that... it is copyrighted material...

[lucyrich 20]

personal use exemption

Certainly doesn't apply to illegal goods.

Then what exactly do you think it applies to? From the above-linked CPB website:

However, travelers arriving in the United States may be permitted an exemption and allowed to import one article of each type, which must accompany the person, bearing a counterfeit, confusingly similar or restricted gray market trademark, provided that the article is for personal use and is not for sale.

...

In regard to copyright infringement, articles that are determined by CBP to be clearly piratical of a protected copyright, i.e., unauthorized articles that are substantially similar to a material protected by a copyright, are subject to seizure. A personal use exemption for articles, similar to that described above also applies to copyrighted articles for the personal, non-commercial use of the importer and are not for sale or distribution.

Exactly... For instance.. a tie that looks exactly like a Christian Dior tie but doesn't have a false Christian Dior or anything else insinuating that it is Christian Dior label on it is perfectly fine... Having a knock-off Louis Vuitton bag that is significantly like the original could bring problems...

For music or a video.. you can't do that... it is copyrighted material...

Sure, it's copyrighted material. But the last sentence quoted above from the CBP seems to say that the personal use exemption applies to it.

And the first paragraph says that the personal use exemption applies to one knock-off Louis Vuitton bag, even bearing a clearly counterfeit trademark.

[akdiver 3]

Well, I tell you what - when you get to customs, be sure to tell them all about the collection of pirate items you want to bring into the country and see what happens. If it is all good and legal like people on here are suggesting, then it will not be any problem. Go ahead, do it. See what happens.

Cheers!

AKDiver

[zyggy 9]

personal use exemption

Certainly doesn't apply to illegal goods.

Then what exactly do you think it applies to? From the above-linked CPB website:

However, travelers arriving in the United States may be permitted an exemption and allowed to import one article of each type, which must accompany the person, bearing a counterfeit, confusingly similar or restricted gray market trademark, provided that the article is for personal use and is not for sale.

...

In regard to copyright infringement, articles that are determined by CBP to be clearly piratical of a protected copyright, i.e., unauthorized articles that are substantially similar to a material protected by a copyright, are subject to seizure. A personal use exemption for articles, similar to that described above also applies to copyrighted articles for the personal, non-commercial use of the importer and are not for sale or distribution.

Exactly... For instance.. a tie that looks exactly like a Christian Dior tie but doesn't have a false Christian Dior or anything else insinuating that it is Christian Dior label on it is perfectly fine... Having a knock-off Louis Vuitton bag that is significantly like the original could bring problems...

For music or a video.. you can't do that... it is copyrighted material...

Sure, it's copyrighted material. But the last sentence quoted above from the CBP seems to say that the personal use exemption applies to it.

And the first paragraph says that the personal use exemption applies to one knock-off Louis Vuitton bag, even bearing a clearly counterfeit trademark.

I have taken away quite a few counterfeit articles from people who have come from China and elsewhere... we let them choose one and took the rest..

Read above that it says that you can have "one" article.. One song (not an entire CD), one tie, one purse, one etc... Not an entire library of pirated stuff like the OP is suggesting....

Edited April 13, 2007 by zyggy

[Shub 78]

I appreciate the answers so far, people, thank you. Don't be startin' an argument over my case =P

I have taken away quite a few counterfeit articles from people who have come from China and elsewhere... we let them choose one and took the rest..

Read above that it says that you can have "one" article.. One song (not an entire CD), one tie, one purse, one etc... Not an entire library of pirated stuff like the OP is suggesting....

zyggy, if I'm to understand that you work for US customs, I'd like to ask you what you imagine would happen to me specifically if I got caught with this stuff, if you don't mind answering?