(information subject to change check with the nearest U.S. Government Agency)

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Alcholic Beverages

Customs Regulation Subject to tax and duty requirements vary from state to state, with some forbidding the importation of alcoholic beverages.

Documents Required Bill of Lading,inventory all alcoholic beverages including brand name, number of bottles, volume per bottle, alcoholic content and price

Remarks For information on state laws, write to the U.S. Customs Service, Department of the Treasury, Washington,  D.C. 20229, U.S.A.  and ask for Publication 523, information for Travelers: State Laws on Importing Alcoholic beverages

Birds

Customs Regulation Upon arrival in the States,     birds must be quarantined     for at least 30 days in a      USDA-operated facility

Documents Required Health certificate completed 30 days prior to entry. Quarantine space must be reserved in    advance via VS Form 17-23. Special federal permits may be required by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service for      feathers, bird parts or whole mounted birds, as well as    certain live birds

Cats

Customs Regulation Must be free from disease. If not in good health, may require examination by a licensed veterinarian at owner's expense.

Dogs

Customs Regulation Must be free from disease. If not in good health, may require examination by a licensed veterinarian at owner's expense.

Documents Required Valid rabies vaccination  certificate must accompany the dog. If the dog was vaccinated less than one month before arrival, the dog will be admitted but must be confined for at least 30 days after the vaccination.

Feathers, furs, skins, tusks, etc.. of animals coming under protected species regulations.

Customs Regulation Importation prohibited. Items include products made from most crocodile skins; lizard products from Brazil, Paraguay and some Asian countries; most snakeskin products from Latin America and Asia; and all sea turtle products (tortoiseshell combs, jewelry, leather, and creams and cosmetics made from turtle oil).

Remarks Contact: Division of Law Enforcement U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service P.O. Box 28006 Washington, D.C. 20005, U.S.A

Fruits, Vegetables and plants

Customs Regulation Fruits and vegetables must be Declared to customs and presented to the customs officer for inspection. numerous restrictions have been placed on the importation of endangered plants such as cycads, orchids and cacti..

Documents Required A permit from the U.S. Department of Agriculture may be required depending on the type of plant.

Gifts

Customs Regulation Exempted from duty up to a combined value of $100.

Remarks Make a list of items you plan to give as gifts and retain receipts of purchase.

Guns

Customs Regulation Guns previously exported from the U.S.A. are easily cleared providing the owner has a bill of sale or commercial document establishing ownership.

Documents Required A Certificate of Registration. Customs form 4455 or 4457 may be used.

Remarks Contact: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Department of the Treasury Washington, D.C.  20226, U.S.A. (202) 927-8320

Household Goods

Customs Regulation Articles purchased outside the United States and brought into the country are subject to internal revenue tax and duty; nevertheless, many household goods purchased abroad and used for more than one year may be imported duty-free. On the back of customs form 3299, you will be asked to list all  articles purchased less than one year ago. The list will include the month and year each item was purchased, as well as the purchase price. A U.S. resident is ordinarily permitted an exemption on $400 (retail value) worth of items purchased abroad--provided these items accompany the U.S. resident into the country and are either for use as personal goods or as gifts. Americans returning from Samoa, Guam or the U.S. Virgin Islands have an exemption of $800.  Non-residents entering the United States are permitted to bring in the following items free of duty: Bona fide gifts up to a combined value of $100. Personal articles such as clothing; jewelry; cosmetics; items for personal hygiene; and hunting, fishing and  photographic equipment. Vehicles for personal use--provided they are imported in conjunction with your arrival.

Documents Required U.S Custom Form3299 Bill of Lading

Narcotics, pornography, fireworks, poison, dangerous toys, switchblade knives

Customs Regulation Importation Prohibited

Documents Required Importation Prohibited

Remarks If a package mailed into the United States is found to contain any prohibited material, the contents are subject to seizure and forfeiture.

Vehicles

Customs Regulation Duty is based on the price paid or the invoice price. A returning U.S. resident may apply his $400 customs exemption (as well as the exemptions of accompanying family members) toward the value of the vehicle if the vehicle accompanies the resident on his return to the States, is imported for personal use and was  purchased during his stay outside the United States. After this exemption has been applied, the next $1,000 of the vehicle's value is dutiable at a flat rate of 10% and the remainder is dutiable at the regular rate. · Non-residents may  import a vehicle provided the vehicle is for personal use, is imported in conjunction with the owner's arrival and conforms to U.S. safety and emissions control standards. If the conforming vehicle was imported under duty-free  exemptions, it is dutiable if sold within one year of importation. Non-conforming vehicles may not be sold in the United States and must be exported within one year. Vehicles must be free from foreign soil, so you must have your car steam-sprayed or cleaned thoroughly. Some imported automobiles are subject to the "Gas Guzzler Tax" stipulated in section 4064 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Documents Required Bill of Lading, bill of sale, foreign registration, lnternational registration marker and any other documents covering the vehicle. In advance of your arrival, obtain statements from the foreign manufacturer indicating your vehicle conforms to U.S. safety and emission regulations.

Remarks The section pertaining to importation of vehicles (page 3) and the reference section (page 16) provide the adddresses and phone numbers for the following agencies: The EPA's fact sheet on emission control standards is available by contacting the U.S. Environmental  Protection Agency. For the free Instruction Handbook for Complying with Regulations of Imported Vehicles and information on safety standards, contact the U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of vehicle Safety Compliance, NEF-32. The Internal Revenue Service will provide information on the "Gas Guzzler Tax."