What things should be declared on flight into the US (to get married)?

[AlbertVII 1]

Hi! My fiancée recently just got her K-1 visa approved (WOOOO!) and we have scheduled dates to have her fly over to the US on 2-17. 

 

She brought up talking about what she can take with her - she’s bringing some basic things with her like clothes, toiletries, and I’ll be helping supply everything else when she arrives, but she was also going to bring things like her PS4 console, Nintendo Switch (we’re a couple of dorks XD), as well as Japanese yen that was given to her by her family as a wedding gift (in hard currency - all bills).

 

As she’s doing a trip into the US on a fiancée visa are there different conditions that apply on what she can take with her over the border? She’s bringing some Japanese snacks into the US as some additional gifts for me and my family when she arrives so I can see her declaring that on customs but as the trip is going to be indefinite with her entering the country would she need to declare her electronics and anything else she’s carrying with her?

 

The currency she’s taking with her won’t exceed $10000, but it’s still a large amount (more than $1000). As the CBP PoE is the final check before entry into the US I want to make sure there’s no issues.

 

I might be overthinking things but I had difficulty finding a direct answer to this anywhere else. Any information will certainly help! 

[SalishSea 17,841]

8 minutes ago, AlbertVII said:

Hi! My fiancée recently just got her K-1 visa approved (WOOOO!) and we have scheduled dates to have her fly over to the US on 2-17. 

 

She brought up talking about what she can take with her - she’s bringing some basic things with her like clothes, toiletries, and I’ll be helping supply everything else when she arrives, but she was also going to bring things like her PS4 console, Nintendo Switch (we’re a couple of dorks XD), as well as Japanese yen that was given to her by her family as a wedding gift (in hard currency - all bills).

 

As she’s doing a trip into the US on a fiancée visa are there different conditions that apply on what she can take with her over the border? She’s bringing some Japanese snacks into the US as some additional gifts for me and my family when she arrives so I can see her declaring that on customs but as the trip is going to be indefinite with her entering the country would she need to declare her electronics and anything else she’s carrying with her?

 

The currency she’s taking with her won’t exceed $10000, but it’s still a large amount (more than $1000). As the CBP PoE is the final check before entry into the US I want to make sure there’s no issues.

 

I might be overthinking things but I had difficulty finding a direct answer to this anywhere else. Any information will certainly help! 

Personal belongings, including electronics, should not need to be declared.  That amount of cash won't need to be declared.  Commercially packaged snacks are okay, although if her POE is Hawaii, they do have additional restrictions.

 

As long as she fills out the customs declaration form honestly, she shouldn't run into any trouble at all, and it doesn't sound to me like she will incur a duty charge for any of it.

 

Good luck and best wishes!

Edited February 15, 2020 by Jorgedig

[payxibka 10,045]

8 minutes ago, AlbertVII said:

Hi! My fiancée recently just got her K-1 visa approved (WOOOO!) and we have scheduled dates to have her fly over to the US on 2-17. 

 

She brought up talking about what she can take with her - she’s bringing some basic things with her like clothes, toiletries, and I’ll be helping supply everything else when she arrives, but she was also going to bring things like her PS4 console, Nintendo Switch (we’re a couple of dorks XD), as well as Japanese yen that was given to her by her family as a wedding gift (in hard currency - all bills).

 

As she’s doing a trip into the US on a fiancée visa are there different conditions that apply on what she can take with her over the border? She’s bringing some Japanese snacks into the US as some additional gifts for me and my family when she arrives so I can see her declaring that on customs but as the trip is going to be indefinite with her entering the country would she need to declare her electronics and anything else she’s carrying with her?

 

The currency she’s taking with her won’t exceed $10000, but it’s still a large amount (more than $1000). As the CBP PoE is the final check before entry into the US I want to make sure there’s no issues.

 

I might be overthinking things but I had difficulty finding a direct answer to this anywhere else. Any information will certainly help! 

My wife brought 4 suitcases of personal items,  declared nothing 

[SalishSea 17,841]

1 minute ago, payxibka said:

My wife brought 4 suitcases of personal items,  declared nothing 

Same with my husband.  Including an entire suitcase of Far Side books.

[AlbertVII 1]

Ok AWESOME this helps clear up any other last minute scares at the PoE. 

 

Our location is Washington state - last I checked i didn’t see any other special restrictions. Plus I have brought those same snacks over the border previously when I flew to Japan so I think things should be fine there.

 

Thank you so much for the quick replies! 

[Ontarkie 14,231]

~~Moved to Moving Here and YOur New Life, from K1 P&P - as the topic is more about the move.~~

[Naes 12,205]

28 minutes ago, AlbertVII said:

Ok AWESOME this helps clear up any other last minute scares at the PoE. 

 

Our location is Washington state - last I checked i didn’t see any other special restrictions. Plus I have brought those same snacks over the border previously when I flew to Japan so I think things should be fine there.

 

Thank you so much for the quick replies! 

All of the things you mentioned are fine to bring.

 

1 suggestion: don’t pack the play station into checked luggage. Pack it as carry on as they will want to see at the security (in japan) just like computers. 
 

Also congrats!

[Duke & Marie 1,389]

51 minutes ago, Naes said:

All of the things you mentioned are fine to bring.

 

1 suggestion: don’t pack the play station into checked luggage. Pack it as carry on as they will want to see at the security (in japan) just like computers. 
 

Also congrats!

We’ve put a stereo and PlayStation in checked luggage.. no issues, not sure about japan process though

 

one thing I will recommend is the purchase of a converter/amp for its use in the us, due to voltage/amps draw of the appliance or you’ll run the risk of killing the PS etc. each country runs on diff volts.. us 110v Aus 220v etc 

 

i had a hairdryer once that that turned into a flame thrower.. it was very impressive 

Edited February 15, 2020 by Duke & Marie

[Naes 12,205]

26 minutes ago, Duke & Marie said:

We’ve put a stereo and PlayStation in checked luggage.. no issues, not sure about japan process though

 

one thing I will recommend is the purchase of a converter/amp for its use in the us, due to voltage/amps draw of the appliance or you’ll run the risk of killing the PS etc. each country runs on diff volts.. us 110v Aus 220v etc 

 

i had a hairdryer once that that turned into a flame thrower.. it was very impressive 

There’s no issues just no guarantees in check luggage. there’s no real rules over electronics as far as I know in japan (may depend on airlines and where you connect. I flew direct no problem with electronics in checked - such as hair iron etc., once I came through China they didn’t even let my electronic toothbrush in luggage 😂)
 

For me I took all Sensitive electronics, computers, phones, game consoles and projector with me because it’s more secure. as it does have sensitive motherboard and disks. Just to add my hubby’s ps4 came from Spain with all the military style mover... that’s also Still alive so 🤷🏻‍♀️

For ps4 from japan you don’t need a converter. Some things may need tho.

Edited February 15, 2020 by Naes

[Jamie Solo 70]

Just on the console thing and Japan specifically:

 

I took my xbox and ps4 in checked luggage when I moved there for a few years and also brought them back last year. No issues whatsoever. If security wants to check your luggage, they will. Doesn't matter if it's carry on or checked lol

[Lil bear 4,226]

18 hours ago, Jorgedig said:

Same with my husband.  Including an entire suitcase of Far Side books.

We brought Footrot Flats en masse 

[sunshinelove 52]

She should be fine! Just be honest and declare anything if it meets the criteria of what shouldn't be brought in (in your case it sounds like nothing). I personally think it would look weird if she didn't bring all her personal belongings because of the fact she's moving here. In my case, my wife brought over 2 huge suitcases with all her clothes and memories and also a guitar. No one batted an eye. 

[AlbertVII 1]

Awesome! Appreciate the reassurance everyone! Considering all the small things we gotta keep an eye out for part of me started half expecting different conditions under a fiancé visa. But this helped boost confidence levels. :)

 

Thank you again! 

[Fr8dog 312]

Converting foreign currency in the US is always a fun exercise (I found that unless you are at the airport nobody is really setup for it and they charge an arm and a leg). I would suggest depositing it on a Japanese account and use a debit card to collect in the US (For me using the card at regular ATM's is charged, but if I use it at a store I just get charged the "mid" exchange rate" that is way better). Just make sure to report the account at tax time (if you meet the requirements).

 

As for electronics, everything that is not rated for 110v needs a converter. Converters going up are usually more expensive than step down converters. I found very few items are not rated for 110 to 230 volts nowadays.

And I don't know what plugs Japan has, but the US ones are different from the European ones.

Lastly, the US uses NTSC and Europe uses PAL for video/TV (again no idea what Japan has). Most newer electronics can switch between them, but you may want to have her check.

 

Food:

Declare everything even the sealed stuff. Most times they do not even look. What ever is declared but not permitted will be taken away but you won't get fined. Elderly Europeans and Asians are well known throughout the world for trying to get fresh produce and dairy products past border controls. The fines are usually not cheap.

 

Gifts need to be declared as well.

 

All other personal items do not need to be reported if they travel with her. If something does not travel with her, the phrases "personal effects" and "unaccompanied baggage" should not be used EVER!!!!!! All cargo programs scan for it and it will either be declined, delayed, quarantined or lost.

 

Lastly I would like to add that for a lot of people it is cheaper to buy new in the US than to ship it (or even check it). Unless something really cannot be replaced or has very high sentimental value selling it and replacing it in the US is most likely the cheapest option.