How does custom work for LPR?

[customques 0]

3 minutes ago, Timona said:

Nothing I see that needs declaration. And I travel frequently. 

 

I mean, can we not buy things abroad?😁

Sorry for asking this of you, but can you please point me to a CBP resource on why I do not need to declare any of this? Am I exempt because of the total value being under a certain limit? Thanks!

Edited April 20, 2023 by customques

[beloved_dingo 1,979]

13 minutes ago, Timona said:

Nothing I see that needs declaration. And I travel frequently. 

 

I mean, can we not buy things abroad?😁

I mean yeah, you can buy things abroad. But you need to declare the things you bought. 

 

https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/know-before-you-go/what-expect-when-you-return

 

https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-246?language=en_US 

 

Relevant portion(s):

 

All travelers must complete a CBP Declaration Form 6059B itemizing all purchased merchandise and agricultural products.

 

The duty-free exemptions ($200, $800, or $1,600) apply if:

- The items are for your personal or household use or intended to be given as gifts.

-They are in your possession, that is, they accompany you when you return to the United States.

- They are declared to CBP. If you do not declare something that should have been declared, you risk forfeiting it. If in doubt, declare it.

[Mike E 11,741]

36 minutes ago, customques said:

Sorry for asking this of you, but can you please point me to a CBP resource on why I do not need to declare any of this? Am I exempt because of the total value being under a certain limit? Thanks!

You have to declare everything to acquired from outside the U.S. 

[customques 0]

45 minutes ago, beloved_dingo said:

I mean yeah, you can buy things abroad. But you need to declare the things you bought. 

 

https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/know-before-you-go/what-expect-when-you-return

 

https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-246?language=en_US 

 

Relevant portion(s):

 

All travelers must complete a CBP Declaration Form 6059B itemizing all purchased merchandise and agricultural products.

 

The duty-free exemptions ($200, $800, or $1,600) apply if:

- The items are for your personal or household use or intended to be given as gifts.

-They are in your possession, that is, they accompany you when you return to the United States.

- They are declared to CBP. If you do not declare something that should have been declared, you risk forfeiting it. If in doubt, declare it.

I read that page as well. So looks like the worst that can happen, if you don't declare anything is that it gets forfeited? Not that one should not, but at least there is no fine if you forget to declare something minor/inexpensive.

Edited April 20, 2023 by customques

[Timona 4,208]

CBP is human. I've always wondered why people fear anything American but when going back to their countries, they carry goods worth thousands and above declaration zone but hide them from their countries' customs. My country men do this all the time. I also do it. I had electronic worth $2K last time I went home and while I was waiting on line, this Kenyan customs lady asked me "How much is this? Do you have the receipt?" Before I could answer and get caught and forced to pay import fee or whatever it's called, she continued "Is it worth below $200?" I said YES and that was how I passed customs without paying. Nowdays I'm smart, I look at them with tough eyes, they count the multiple phones and I just say gifts. And off I go. 

 

That being said, it's $100 stuff. None cares IMHO. I last saw that customs declaration form 10 years ago to be exact. Nowadays CBP just ask me verbally "Do you have anything to declare." I tell them NO and I'm on my way. 

 

Yes, 10 years ago, I was on Emirates and this dude had $10K cash, was bringing exotic pets et al. Boy asked for like 2 declaration forms. I was like 😳.  Emirates was issuing paper declaration forms to save time. 

 

On another note, my country is super corrupt. Even non-Kenyans know that $100 bribe to customs let's you sneak away or come in with goods above declaration zone. Just read the reviews of the airport online. How'd you think those exotic pets reach European countries? Hahhaa lemme stop here. 

Edited April 20, 2023 by Timona

[customques 0]

4 minutes ago, Timona said:

CBP is human. I've always wondered why people fear anything American but when going back to their countries, they carry goods worth thousands and above declaration zone but hide them from their countries' customs.

 

That being said, it's $100 stuff. None cares IMHO. I last saw that customs declaration form 10 years ago to be exact. Nowadays CBP just ask me verbally "Do you have anything to declare." I tell them NO and I'm on my way. 

 

Yes, 10 years ago, I was on Emirates and this dude had $10K cash, was bringing exotic pets et al. Boy asked for like 2 declaration forms. I was like 😳.  Emirates was issuing paper declaration forms to save time. 

Interesting. I think one feels much more emboldened once a citizen. I think I will just play it safe. If asked if you have something to declare, I'll just say yes some items I acquired on my trip all totaling to less than $800 (or much lower since $800 is the limit for residents for no custom fee) and will have the list ready.

Edited April 20, 2023 by customques

[Timona 4,208]

13 minutes ago, customques said:

Interesting. I think one feels much more emboldened once a citizen, which I assume you are. I think I will just play it safe. If asked if you have something to declare, I'll just say yes some items I acquired on my trip all totaling to less than $800 (or much lower since $800 is the limit for residents for no custom fee).

 

Nothing of that sort. I've been carrying stuff close to $1000 from back home since F-1 visa days and noone has ever bothered me. 

 

Infact, my first journey to US was in 2013 on Emirates and I never knew anything about those customs forms. The flight attendant told me that I don't need it if I'm not carrying cash above $10K, exotic pets or indigenous plants and seeds. 

 

I wish I was CBP. Some of you will be making my day. I'll always be looking forward to work. If I see you declared something worth $60, I'll ask you for more because I'm sure you do have. I'll question those shoes on your feet or the new minted traditional clothes you are wearing or carrying. 😄. Their value should be declared too. 😁

 

But think about it, CBP doesn't even know if that bracelet is new, fake, was a gift for you from a relative or how much it even costs in your country. 

Edited April 20, 2023 by Timona

[powerpuff 6,744]

~~ Duplicate thread removed. Please do not start multiple threads pertaining to same or related topics (CBP customs and declaration) as that’s considered spamming ~~

 

22 minutes ago, customques said:

I am looking at the CBP customs declaration form 6059B. It asks a question (#10)

---- The primary purpose of this trip is business? [ ] Yes    [ ] No

Now, I am a LPR who was traveling outside the U.S. to my country of origin for about 36 days. I was off from work for about a week and was working remotely during the rest of the time. The purpose of my trip was to visit my parents. Even though my employer has office in my country of origin, I never visited those offices. I just worked remotely from my parents' house. What should be my answer to this question?

@pushbrk @Mike E @Timona @JeanneAdil

 

Edited April 20, 2023 by powerpuff

[customques 0]

Thank you @powerpuff. Folks, any advice on the primary purpose of the trip question in the CBP form quoted in the post above?

Edited April 20, 2023 by customques

[Scandi 4,173]

Personally I never declare anything. Not food, not jewelry, nothing. I never bring anything that I plan on selling, it's all just gifts for hubby and myself. You SHOULD, I just never do and never have. Neither as a tourist, LPR or citizen. I also never leave the US on my US passport when I travel to EU, which apparently you SHOULD. I only ever use my EU passport. I guess I'm just a rebel. 🤷‍♀️ 

 

Last time I flew a few months ago I brought back several VIPP pieces for our bathroom, they are so hard to come by here. That was  goods for a few thousand dollars all in all.  

Edited April 20, 2023 by Scandi

[Mike E 11,741]

3 hours ago, customques said:

So looks like the worst that can happen, if you don't declare anything is that it gets forfeited?

Worst is a criminal charge

[Mike E 11,741]

2 hours ago, customques said:

Thank you @powerpuff. Folks, any advice on the primary purpose of the trip question in the CBP form quoted in the post above?

Business, pleasure, family meet

[Sarah&Facundo 598]

What? My husband and I are extremely frequent travelers and do multiple international trips per year. We would never declare anything like what was listed by the OP. If you bring back something worth thousands of dollars, than sure maybe. But food and inexpensive jewelry? Never.

[Mike E 11,741]

8 minutes ago, Sarah&Facundo said:

My husband and I are extremely frequent travelers and do multiple international trips per year. We would never declare anything like what was listed by the OP

Of a CBPO asks you if you bought anything while outside the U.S., what do you say?

[customques 0]

5 hours ago, Mike E said:

Business, pleasure, family meet

The question explicitly asks for a yes or no. Please see details below.

 

I am looking at the CBP customs declaration form 6059B. It asks a question (#10)

---- The primary purpose of this trip is business? [ ] Yes    [ ] No

I am a LPR who was traveling outside the U.S. to my country of origin for about 36 days. I was off from work for about a week and was working remotely during the rest of the time. The purpose of my trip was to visit my parents. Even though my employer has office in my country of origin, I never visited those offices. I just worked remotely from my parents' house. What should be my answer to this question?