Country guides

USA

The information contained within this leaflet has been specially compiled to help those moving to the USA for the first time. It is by no means a comprehensive guide and to satisfy yourself of further information we recommend that you contact the American Embassy or visit the US Customs and Border Protection website.  

Customs Duties and Taxes

General Used Household Goods and Personal Effects
You may import your household goods into the US without paying duty provided you have owned and used them overseas for a minimum of twelve months before you leave for the US.  The effects must be imported for personal use only.

Documents Required:
• Inventory of goods in English (Prepared by Atlantic International Movers Ltd)
• Copy of visa
• Copy of passport (photo page only please)
• US Customs Form 3299 (Importer’s declaration)
• Supplemental Declaration Form (RC-159) for foreign residents without residency at the time of import
• Declaration of Unaccompanied Personal and Household Effects (US Customs Service)
• I-94 form for non-residents – if applicable
• Power of Attorney Form

Inheritance
If you need to import effects into the US as a result of inheritance, these are duty free if you can proof that you grew up with the items and that they were in your immediate household, otherwise they will be subject to duty.

Documents required:
• Extract of will / death certificate
• Inventory
• Letter of inheritance from inheritor

Wine and other alcohol
It is strongly recommended that wine and other alcohol is not imported into the USA.  A license may be required, and is subject to various Federal, State and Local regulations, duties and taxes.  Some states prohibit entry and may confiscate.

Antiques
Antiques are permitted duty free, provided that they have been certificated to be at least 100 years old.  US Customs have the right to order an independent appraisal.

Documents required:
• Certificate of antiquity (reflecting approximate date of production)

Cars and Motorcycles
It is not recommended that motor vehicles are imported as bonding costs can be 25 to 100 per cent of the value of the vehicle, and conversion to meet US requirements can often cost more that the value of the vehicle.  The payment of duties and taxes will apply (as appraised by Customs).  Vehicles have 120 days from date of import to comply with safety standards and 90 days for emission standards.  Failure to comply could result in re-export, confiscation and a significant fine.  Further information can be obtained from the US Department of Transportation website and the US Environmental Protection Agency website. 

Documents Required
• Proof of ownership
• Steam-cleaning certificate
• If the vehicle meets US requirements, copy of US title, vehicle registration, and a letter from the manufacturer’s US representative stating that the vehicle was originally manufactured to meet US requirements

Returning US vehicles are admitted duty-free, provided that a purchase invoice or export Bill of Lading can be produced.

Boats can be imported as part of the household goods and are duty-free as long as it has been owned at least one year prior to import.  Boats are not subject to emission regulations.

Firearms
Firearms returning to the US are allowed as long as it has been registered with US Customs before first export.  The import of firearms is subject to many restrictions and regulations.

Documents required:

• BAFT (US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms) permit required for the import of any firearms.
• Proof of ownership
• Registration, certificates and licenses

The import of ammunition and automatic and heavy military weapons are strictly prohibited.

Pets
There are extremely strict controls, regulations and prohibitions on the importation of animals.  Dogs and cats are normally not required to be quarantined.  For further information, please visit the US Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services website and the US Public Health Services website.

Special considerations
Plants and food – The shipment of food (and beverages) is strongly discouraged.  The shipping of plants is prohibited.

Computers – Computers can be imported into the USA but they may be liable to assessment for ‘duty payable’ if purchased within the last 12 months.  If imported as part of household goods, the make, model, serial number and country of manufacture needs to be indicated on the inventory.

Furs and skins – The import of unprocessed furs and skins is prohibited.

Wood and wooden packaging – Special regulations exist for import and export of raw wood in the USA, which included the use of wood packaging materials.

Medicine – Any medicine must be properly identified, must not exceed normal quantities as prescribed for an individual with a health problem, and the individual must have a prescription / letter from GP confirming that the medicine is required for medical well-being.

Prohibited items
1. Narcotics and other dangerous drugs
2. Switch blade knifes
3. Any pirated items (CDs, DVDs, computer programmes, cassettes, etc.).  These will be confiscated and destroyed
4. Pornographic or other obscene material
5. Liquor-filled candy
6. Hazardous items
7. Foodstuff is strictly controlled and subject to inspection and possible confiscation if found not to adhere to set regulations

Additional Information
Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained herein is accurate, Atlantic International Movers can accept no responsibility for amendments made to the information supplied prior to or after its publication.

For further information and advice please e-mail.