Cruise Travel
Traveler's
Standard Duty-Free Exemption
Your duty-free exemption, also
called the personal exemption, is the total value of merchandise you
may bring back to the United States without having to pay duty. You
may bring back more than your exemption, but you will have to pay
duty on it. In most cases, the personal exemption is $800, but there
are some exceptions to this rule.
The duty-free exemption applies if:
- The items are for your personal
or household use.
- They are in your possession when
you return to the United States. Items to be sent later may not
be included in your $800 duty-free exemption.
- The items are declared to
Customs. If you do not declare all items that you obtained
during your trip, you risk forfeiting them.
- You are returning from an
overseas stay of at least 48 hours.
- You have not used your
exemption, or any part of it, in the past 30 days. If you use
part of your exemption you must wait another 30 days before you
are allowed another $800 exemption.
- The items are not prohibited or
restricted.
Family members who live in the same
home and return together to the United States may combine their
standard personal exemptions. Children and infants are allowed the
same exemption as adults, except for alcoholic beverages and tobacco
products. Only 1 liter of alcohol and 200 cigarettes or 100 cigars
may be included in this exemption.
Items purchased in "Duty
Free" shops are subject to duty if the value of your total
purchases exceeds $800.
For more information on duty-free
exemptions, please read Customs "Know Before You Go"
brochure. This publication is also available on the U.
S. Customs Service web site.
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