Money and Other Monetary Instruments
You may bring into or take out of the United States, including by mail, as much money as you wish. However, more than $10,000, must be declared to CBP. Families traveling together must declare currency if the total combined amount is over $10,000. For example, if you have $10,000 with you plus a couple of coins in your pocket, you are in violation of the Currency Reporting statute. It is better to be safe and declare it—ask the CBP officer for the Currency Reporting Form (FinCEN 105). The penalties for non-compliance can be severe.
“Money” means monetary instruments and includes U.S. or foreign coins currently in circulation, currency, travelers’ checks in any form, money orders, and negotiable instruments or investment securities in bearer form.
This reporting requirement does not impose any restriction or payment of duty or fees.
Pets
If you plan to bring your pet with you to the United States, please see the CBP brochure Pets and Wildlife at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/publications/travel/. Also check with state, county, and local authorities, especially in Hawaii, to learn their restrictions on pets.
Importing animals is closely regulated for public health reasons and also for the well-being of the Pr animals. There are restrictions and prohibitions on ohibited and Restricted Items bringing many species into the United States.
Plants and Seeds
Plant and plant products, including handicrafts, must be declared to the CBP officer and must be presented for CBP inspection, no matter how free of pests they appear to be. For more information, go to http://www. aphis.usda.gov/import_export/index.shtml
Soil
Soil is prohibited entry unless accompanied by an import permit. Soil must be declared and the permit must be verified. For more information, go to http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/index.shtml
Textiles and Clothing
In general, there is no limit to how much fabric and clothing you can bring into the United States as long as it is for your personal use or as gifts. If you have exceeded your personal duty exemption, you may have to pay duty on the items. Personal shipments, however, may be limited if they are in quantities that could be considered commercial. Textiles in any amount can be considered commercial.
Trademarked and Copyrighted Articles
U.S. law prohibits the importation of goods that violate a trademark or copyright that is protected under U.S. law. CBP seizes counterfeit and pirated merchandise imported by travelers and may levy a fine on the importer. CBP may refer counterfeit or pirated commercial imports for criminal investigation. Exceptions may allow a traveler to import no more than one article that infringes a U.S. trademark in a 30-day period, provided that the article is for personal use, not for resale, and is contained in the traveler’s personal baggage.
The import of articles intended for sale or public distribution bearing counterfeit trademarks may subject an individual to a civil fine if the registered trademark has also been recorded with CBP.
Articles bearing marks that are confusingly similar to a CBP recorded registered trademark, and restricted gray market articles (goods bearing genuine marks not intended for U.S. importation for which CBP granted gray market protection) are subject to detention and seizure. However, travelers arriving in the United States may be permitted an exemption and allowed to import one article of each type, provided that the ohibited and Restricted ItemsPr article is for personal use and is not for sale. This exemption may be granted not more than once every 30 days. If the article imported under the personal exemption provision is sold within one year after the date of importation, the article or its value is subject to forfeiture.
You may also bring in genuine trademarked and copyrighted articles (subject to duties). Products subject to copyright protection most commonly imported include software on CD-ROMs, sound recordings, toys, stuffed animals, clothing with cartoon characters, videotapes, DVDs, music CDs, and books. Products subject to trademark protection most commonly imported include handbags, accessories, and clothing.