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U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Washington, D.C. 20229
To report suspicious activity call
1-800 BE ALERT
CBP Publication 0000-0146
March 2007
Welcome
to the
United States
A Guide for International
Visitors
Welcome to the United States
Contents
Introduction......................................................... 1
Preparing For Your Trip......................................... 2
International.Visitors.Checklist........................... 2
Visa.Wavier.Program.Visitors.............................. 3
Canadian,.Mexican,.and.Caribbean.Residents....... 5
Students.and.Exchange.Visitors........................... 6
Lawful.Permanent.Residents............................... 7
How.do.you.get.a.Visa?. .................................... 7
Navigating Passenger Processing............................ 9
Passenger.Processing.Checklist........................... 9
Pre-Arrival. ...................................................... 9
CBP.Inspection.Process.................................... 11
Arrival........................................................... 12
Baggage.Claim................................................ 12
Connecting.Flights.......................................... 13
Returning Home................................................. 14
Transportation.Security.Administration............. 14
Outbound.CBP.Inspections. ............................. 15
US-VISIT.Exit.Procedures................................. 16
Customer Service................................................ 17
Helpful Tips........................................................ 18
Prohibited.and.Restricted.Items. ...................... 18
Helpful.Web.sites............................................ 26
US-VISIT:.Current.Ports.of.Entry...................... 27
NEXUS.Locations. ........................................... 37
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Welcome to the United States
Introduction
Welcome to the United States. We are glad that you decided to
visit, study, work, conduct business or come permanently to the
United States.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a diverse organization
responsible for a wide-ranging set of missions that protect the
United States against terrorists, other criminals and illegal activity
while facilitating legitimate trade and travel. The information in
this brochure will help you prepare for your trip and ensure that
your experience entering the United States is as smooth as possible.
Your cooperation with us will help speed you along your way.
Important note: The information in this brochure was correct as of
the date of printing. For the most up-to-date information, please
visit our Web site at www.cbp.gov.
U.S. Customs and
Border Protection Mission Statement
We are the guardians of our Nation’s borders.
We are America’s frontline.
We safeguard the American homeland at and
beyond our borders.
We protect the American public against terrorists
and the instruments of terror.
We steadfastly enforce the laws of the United States
while fostering our Nation’s economic security though
lawful international trade and travel.
We serve the American public with vigilance, integrity
and professionalism.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Preparing For Your Trip
International Visitors Checklist
___. Passport..(Unless.exempt).Most.temporary..
visits.require.passports,.which.must.be.valid.
for.six.months.beyond.their.intended.period.of.
stay.(exceptions.apply)..Make.a.copy.and.put.it.
in.a.separate.place..Carry.your.passport—do.not.
pack.it..For.Visa.Waiver.countries,.as.of.June.
26,.2005.all.participants.(including.infants).are.
required.to.have.machine-readable.passports..
Passports.issued.on.or.after.October.26,.2005,.
must.contain.a.digital.photo,.and.if.issued.as.of.
October.26,.2006,.the.passport.must.be.an.“E-
passport.”.See.www.cbp.gov.for.more.information.
___. The.appropriate.unexpired.visa.(nonimmigrant.
visa,.when.applicable)..If.coming.permanently,.
make.a.copy.and.put.it.in.a.separate.place..Carry.
your.immigrant.visa—do.not.pack.it.
___. Carry.only.medication.needed.for.the.trip,.in.its.
original.container.
___. Carry.only.jewelry.needed.for.the.trip..
___. If.bringing.a.pet,.have.a.health.certificate.and.
proof.of.rabies.vaccination.from.a.veterinarian.
in.the.country.of.residence..(The.airline.may.
require.a.health.certification.for.a.cat.)
___. Have.notarized.travel.permission.letters.for.
minors.traveling.without.their.parents,.if.
possible..If.the.child.is.only.accompanied.by.one.
parent,.the.adult.should.have.a.notarized.note.
from.the.child's.other.parent—or,.in.the.case.
of.a.child.traveling.with.grandparents,.uncles.
or.aunts,.sisters.or.brothers,.or.friends,.a.note.
signed.by.both.parents,.stating."I.acknowledge.
that.my.wife/husband/etc..is.traveling.out.of.the.
country.with.my.son/daughter..He/She/They.
have.my.permission.to.do.so."
Welcome to the United States
Visa Waiver Program (VWP) Visitors
To. participate. in. the. VWP. program. you. must. be.
a. citizen. of. a. participating. VWP. country.. The. 27.
countries.participating.in.the.VWP.are:
Andorra
Ireland
San.Marino
Australia
Italy
Singapore
Austria
Japan
Slovenia
Belgium
Liechtenstein.
Spain
Brunei
Luxembourg
Sweden
Denmark
Monaco
Switzerland
Finland
The.Netherlands United.
Kingdom*
France
New.Zealand
Germany
Norway
Iceland
Portugal
*British. citizens. only. with. the. unrestricted. right. of.
abode. in. England,. Scotland,.Wales,.Northern. Ireland,.
the.Channel.Islands.and.the.Isle.of.Man.
•. Each. applicant. (including. infants). must. be. in.
possession.of.a.passport.from.a.VWP.country.valid.
for.six.months.beyond.the.period.of.your.intended.
stay,.or.essentially.nine.months.(90.day.+.6.months)..
Passports. issued. before. October. 26,. 2005,. must. be.
machine-readable..
•. Passports. issued.on.or. after.October.26,.2005,. and.
before. October. 26,. 2006,. must. contain. a. digital.
photo.
•. Passports.issued.on.or.after.October.26,.2006,.must.
be.an.“E-passport”,.which.must.contain.an.integrated.
chip. that. stores. biographic. data,. a. digitized. photo,.
and. other. biographic. information.. Applicants. must.
be. entering. only. as. a. visitor. for. business. (WB). or.
pleasure.(WT).
•. Applicants. cannot. be. admitted. for. more. than. 90.
days.
•. Applicants. must. present. a. signed. and. completed.
Form.I-94W.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
•. Applicants. arriving. by. air. or. sea. must. arrive. on. a.
carrier.that.is.signatory.to.the.VWP.
•. Applicants.arriving.by.air.or.sea.must.possess.a.ticket,.
valid.for.at.least.one.year,.to.any.foreign.place/port.
other. than.Canada.or.Mexico.or. an. adjacent. island.
unless.you.permanently.reside.there.
•. Applicants. arriving. at. land. borders. are. required. to.
prove.economic.solvency.and.a.foreign.residence.to.
which.they.intend.to.return.
•. Applicants.who.were.previously. removed. from. the.
U.S.. as. “deportable. aliens”. and. those. who. have.
previously. violated. the. terms. of. their. admission.
(i.e.. overstaying. their. visit),. even. if. not. formally.
apprehended.or.removed,.must.apply.for.a.visa.
•. Applicants. must. not. fall. under. any. inadmissibility.
provision,.or.appear.in.any.“lookout”.database.
Special. requirements. for.VWP. travelers. from.Austria,
Italy, France and Germany:
•. Austria:.The.Austrian.visa.“foil”.was.an.acceptable.
alternative. means. of. compliance. with. the. digital.
photo. requirement. for. VWP. applicants.. The. foil.
was. used. for. newly. issued. passports. as. well. as. for.
passports. that. had. been. renewed.. In. both. cases,.
the. foil. was. valid. for. a. maximum. of. 12. months..
The. machine-readable. zone. shows. the. period. of.
validity,.which.in.no.case.was.later.than.December.
31,.2006..
•. Italy:. If.your.regular. Italian.passport.was. issued.or.
renewed.on.or.after.October.26,.2005,.and.includes.
a. digital. photo,. you. are. compliant. with. VWP.
requirements..
•. France:. If.you.are.traveling.with.a.French.passport.
issued.on.or. after.October.26,.2005,. that. does.not.
have. an. electronic. chip. you. will. need. to. apply. for.
a.U.S..visa.. It.will.have.a.gold.symbol.on. the. front.
cover.if.it.has.an.electronic.chip..
Welcome to the United States
•. Germany:. As. of. May. 1,. 2006,. German. temporary.
or.emergency.passports.will.no. longer.be.valid. for.
admission. into. the. United. States.. German. citizens.
who.otherwise.meet.VWP.requirements.and.present.
regular,.official,.or.diplomatic.passports.that.comply.
with. VWP. requirements. may. continue. to. travel. to.
the.United.States.under.the.VWP..
Canadian, Mexican, and
Caribbean Residents
All. persons,. including. citizens. of. the. United. States.
traveling. by. air. between. the. U.S.,. Canada,. Mexico,.
the.Caribbean.and.Bermuda.will.now.have. to.present.
a. passport,. Merchant. Mariner's. Document. (presented.
by.U.S..citizen.merchant.mariners.traveling.on.official.
business). or. NEXUS. Air. Card. (NEXUS. enrollment. is.
limited. to. citizens. of. the. United. States. and. Canada,.
and. lawful. permanent. residents. of. the. United. States.
and.Canada)..Children.will.be.required.to.present.their.
own.passport.
Exceptions. to. the. passport. requirement. include,. U.S..
Lawful. Permanent. Residents. (LPRs),. refugees,. and.
asylees. who. will. continue. to. be. able. to. use. their.
Alien. Registration. Card. (Form. I-551),. issued. by. the.
Department. of. Homeland. Security. (DHS),. or. other.
evidence. of. permanent. resident. status. or. refugee. or.
asylee.status.to.apply.for.entry.into.the.United.States..
The.passport.requirement.does.not.apply.to.members.of.
the.United.States.armed.forces.on.active.duty..However,.
spouses.and.dependents.of.these.military.members.will.
be. required. to. present. a. passport. (and. valid. visa,. if.
applicable).when.traveling.into.the.United.States.under.
the.Western.Hemisphere.Travel.Initiative.(WHTI).
WHTI.will.not.affect.travel.between.the.United.States.
and. its. territories.. U.S.. citizens. traveling. directly.
between. the. Unites. States,. Guam,. Puerto. Rico,. the.
U.S..Virgin.Islands,.America.Samoa,.Swains.Island.and.
the.Commonwealth.of. the.Northern.Marianas. Islands.
will. continue. to. be. able. to. use. established. forms. of.
identification.to.board.flights.and.for.entry.
As early as January 1, 2008,. all. persons. including.
U.S.. citizens. traveling. between. the. U.S.. and. Canada,.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Mexico,. the. Caribbean,. and. Bermuda. by land or sea.
(including.ferries),.could.be.required.to.present.a.valid.
passport.or.other.documents.as.determined.by.DHS.in.
a. forthcoming. rule.. While. recent. legislative. changes.
permit. a. later. deadline,. the. Department. of. State. and.
DHS.are.working. to.meet.all. requirements.as. soon.as.
possible.. Ample. advance. notice. will. be. provided. to.
enable. the. public. to. obtain. acceptable. documents. for.
land/sea.entries.to.the.United.States.
Students and Exchange Visitors
Before.leaving.your.country:
•. Confirm.that.your.passport.and.nonimmigrant.visa.
are. still. valid. for. entry. into. the. United. States.. The.
passport. should. be. valid. for. at. least. six. months.
beyond.the.date.of.your.expected.stay..
•. Check. to. see. that. your. visa. accurately. reflects. your.
correct.visa.classification..
•. If.the.visa.states.the.name.of.the.institution.you.will.
attend.or.identifies.the.exchange.program.in.which.
you.are.participating,.verify.that.this.information.is.
accurate.as.well..
•. When.you.receive.your.visa,.the.consular.officer.will.
seal. your. immigration. documents. in. an. envelope.
and. attach. it. to. your. passport.. Do. not. open. this.
envelope!.The.CBP.officer. at. the.U.S..port.of. entry.
will.open.it.
If.your.review.indicates.any.discrepancies.or.potential.
problems,.visit.the.U.S..embassy.or.consulate.to.obtain.
a.new.visa.
When you travel as a student, you should
carry some specific documents with you,
including:
•. Passport.(including.attached.envelope.of.immigration.
documents).with.nonimmigrant.visa.
•. SEVIS.Form.I-20AB,.I-20MN,.DS-2019.
Welcome to the United States
•. Visa.exempt.nationals.presenting.a.SEVIS.Form.I-20AB,.
I-20MN.or.DS-2019.issued.on.or.after.September.1,.
2004,.who.are.entering.the.United.States.for.the.first.
time. should. have. a. Form. I-797,. Receipt. Notice. or.
Internet.Receipt.verifying.SEVIS.fee.payment..
•. Evidence.of.financial.resources.
You should also carry:
•..Evidence.of.Student/Exchange.Visitor.status.(recent.....
...tuition.receipts,.transcripts).
•. Name.and.contact.information.for.Designated.School.
Official. (DSO).or.Responsible.Officer. (RO).at.your.
intended.school.or.program.
Lawful Permanent Residents
Lawful.Permanent.Residents.are.NOT.required.to.
have.a.passport..However,.lawful.permanent.residents.
must.provide.one.of.the.following.valid,.unexpired.
documents:.
•. I-551,.Permanent.Resident.Card.(“Green.Card”);.
•. Machine-Readable. Immigrant.Visa. endorsed.with. a.
CBP.Admission.Stamp;
•. ADIT.or. I-551.stamp.contained. in.a.passport.or.on.
Form.I-94;.
•. Valid.Reentry.Permit;
•. Valid.Refugee.Travel.Document;.or.
•. Unexpired.Immigrant.Visa.
How do you get a visa?
Fill.out. the.appropriate.visa.application.form.available.
on.the.Department.of.State.Web.site.at.http://travel.state.
gov..(You.must.apply.for.a.visa.unless.eligible. to.enter.
under.the.Visa.Waiver.Program)..
•. Contact.the.U.S..embassy.in.your.home.country.and.
make.an.appointment.for.the.visa.interview..
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
•. Take. to. the. interview. the. visa. application,. valid.
passport,. a. photograph,. supporting. documentation.
and. a. receipt. showing. that. the. application. fee. has.
been.paid..(If.you.are.requesting.a.student.visa,.show.
a.receipt.for.school’s.fee.payment.(Form.I-797.or.the.
SEVIS.I-901).
•. As. part. of. the. interview. process. an. inkless. finger.
scan. of. both. the. right. and. left. hands. is. taken. for.
security.reasons.
•. You.will.be.told.at.the.end.of.the.interview.process.
whether. or. not. your. visa. has. been. approved.. For.
more.information.on.how.to.get.a.visa,.go.to.http://
travel.state.gov.
Welcome to the United States
Navigating Passenger
Processing
Passenger Processing Checklist
___. Obtain.travel.documents.before.leaving.your.
home.country.
___. If.entering.by.air.or.sea,.obtain.CBP.Forms.I-
94.or.I-94W.and.a.CBP.Declaration.(CBP.Form.
6059B),.on.board.the.airplane.or.ship.
Note:.Be.sure.to.fill.out.the.top.and.bottom.of.the.CBP.
Form.I-94.and.top,.bottom.and.back.of.the.CBP.Form.
I-94W.
___. Arrive.into.the.United.States.and.go.to.the.
primary.passenger.processing.area.
___. Pick.up.your.baggage.at.the.baggage.carousel.
___. Proceed.through.CBP.checkpoint.and.show.your.
declaration.to.the.CBP.officer.(baggage.may.be.
examined).
___. Go.to.secondary.area,.if.requested.by.a.CBP..
officer.
___. Pay.duty,.if.applicable.
___. Depart.airport.or.connect.to.your.next.flight.
(See.information.under.Connecting.Flights.on..
page.13).
Pre-Arrival to the United States
While. en-route. in. preparation. for. arrival,. fill. out. the.
CBP.Form. I-94.or.CBP.Form. I-94W,. if. required.. Each.
individual. in. possession. of. a. nonimmigrant. visa. is.
required. to.fill.out. a. Form. I-94.or,. if. traveling.under.
the. Visa. Waiver. Program,. each. individual. is. required.
to.complete.and.sign.Form.I-94W..This. form.has. two.
perforated.sections..
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
0
•. The. top. of. the. form. is. your. arrival. record.. A. CBP.
officer.will.collect.this.from.you.when.you.arrive..
•. The.bottom.of.the.form.is.a.departure.record.which.
must.be.returned.upon.exiting.the.United.States. in.
accordance. with. the. direction. on. the. back. of. this.
portion.
Next,. fill. out. and. sign. your.CBP.Declaration. Form..A.
CBP.Declaration,.CBP.Form.6059B,.is.required.for.each.
person.or.family.group..Don’t.forget.to.declare:
•. Items.you.bought.in.duty-free.shops,.on.the.ship,.
or.on.the.plane..Duty-free.items.are.only.duty.
free.in.the.country.you.bought.them.in..You.may.
have.to.pay.duty.on.them.when.you.arrive.in.the.
United.States.
•. Items.you.are.bringing.for.someone.else..
•. Items.you.intend.to.sell.or.use.in.your.business.
•. Food,.both.processed.and.unprocessed.
You.must.state.on.the.CBP.Declaration,.in.U.S..currency,.
what. you. actually.paid. for. each. item..The.price.must.
include.all.taxes..If.you.don’t.know.for.sure,.estimate..
Here.are.some.other.helpful.tips.on.declarations:
•. As.a.non-resident,.you.are.allowed.up.to.$100.
worth.of.merchandise,.free.of.duty.and.internal.
revenue.tax,.as.gifts.for.other.people..
•. Family.members.may.not.group.their.gift.
exemptions..
•. Do.not.gift-wrap.your.articles.because.they.must.
be.available.for.CBP.examination.and.may.be.
opened.
•. Remember,.all.plant.material.and.food.items.
must.be.declared.whether.they.are.processed.or.
not.
Welcome to the United States
Obtain traveldocumentsbefore leaving your homecountry.Fill out Form I-94or I-94W(forvisitors) and CBP Declaration Formon board the airplane.Arrive in the United Statesand go toinspectionarea.Go to secondaryinspection area, if requested.Pick upbaggage atthe baggagecarousel.Show declaration to CBP officer(baggage may beinspected).Payduty ifapplicable.Proceed throughfinal CBP checkpoint.Depart orconnect to yournextflight.STEPSTEPSTEPAs easy as 1-2-3…WELCOMETO THE U.S.*Theinspectionprocessmayvarybylocation.The CBP Inspection Process*
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Arrival
With. completed. entry. forms. and. travel. documents.
in. hand,. go. to. the. CBP. processing. area. and. select.
the. appropriate. line. (U.S.. Citizen/Resident,. Crew,.
Visitors,.etc.).as.established.at.the.port.of.entry..Please.
do. not. use. cameras. or. cell. phone. cameras. in. the.
CBP. processing. areas.. When. you. get. to. the. primary.
passenger.processing.booth,.a.CBP.officer.will:
•. Review.your.documents.
•. Run.your.passport.through.an.electronic.reader.
•. Scan.your.fingerprints.and.take.a.digital.photograph.
to.verify.your.identity.for.US-VISIT.applicants.
•. Ask.you.questions.regarding.your.trip.
•. Ask.you.if.you.have.anything.to.declare..
If. the.CBP.officer.has.any.concerns.about.your. travel,.
your.documents,.other.concerns.or.if.you.are.selected.
for.random.secondary.processing,.the.CBP.officer.will.
direct. you. to.CBP. Secondary.Area.. The.CBP.officer. at.
initial.passenger.processing.may.also.tell.you.to.retrieve.
your.luggage.and.then.report.to.secondary.for.baggage.
inspection.. In. secondary,. you. may. be. interviewed.
further.to.determine.whether.you.are.admissible.to.the.
United.States..
Baggage Claim
At. the. baggage. claim. carousel,. pick. up. your. baggage.
and.proceed.to.the.CBP.checkpoint.where.a.CBP.officer.
will. review. your. CBP. Declaration,. Form. 6059B,. and.
either. ask. you. additional. questions;. send. you. to. the.
cashier.to.pay.your.duty;.or,.allow.you.to.proceed.out.
of. the. terminal. or. to. your. connecting. flight.. A. CBP.
officer.may.inspect.the.items.you.are.bringing.into.the.
country..For.example,.your.baggage.may.be. reviewed.
for.agricultural.products. that.are.not.allowed.into.the.
country..
Your.CBP.processing.may.include.a.personal.search..If.
so,.there.are.a.few.things.you.need.to.know.
Welcome to the United States
•. You. should. be. treated. in. a. courteous,. professional.
and.dignified.manner.
•. You.may.not.be.searched.on.any.discriminatory.basis.
(e.g.. race,. gender,. religion,. ethnic. background).. A.
search.based.on.consideration.of.citizenship.or.travel.
itinerary. that. includes. a. narcotics. source. or. transit.
country.is.not.discriminatory.
•. You.will.receive.an.explanation.of.the.examination.
process.as.it.occurs..You.will.have.the.opportunity.to.
speak.with.a.CBP.supervisor.
•. Usually,.you.can.request.that.CBP.notify.someone.of.
your.delay.if.you.are.detained.more.than.two.hours.
after.the.personal.search.has.begun.
•. If.you.feel.you.have.not.been.treated.in.a.courteous.
manner,. you. may. request. to. speak. to. a. CBP.
supervisor.
Connecting Flights
Since. CBP. processing. must. be. completed. at. the. first.
port. of. entry,. many. travelers. must. complete. all.
arrival. processing. and. then. immediately. proceed. to.
a. connecting. flight.. When. the. international. arriving.
passenger.completes.the.passenger.processing.and.exits.
the.final.CBP.checkpoint,.major.ports.of.entry.provide.
the. capability. to. immediately. re-check. the. travelers.
luggage,.sending.it.through.the.Transportation.Security.
Administration.(TSA)-required.X-ray.screening.process..
You.will. proceed.directly. to. a.TSA. checkpoint.before.
proceeding.to.the.departure.gate.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Returning Home
Transportation Security Administration
The. Transportation. Security. Administration. (TSA).
is. a. component. of. the. Department. of. Homeland.
Security.and. is. responsible. for. security.of. the.nation's.
transportation.systems.
Following. these. tips. will. help. you. reduce. your. wait.
time.at.the.security.checkpoint:
•. Do. not. pack. or. bring. prohibited. items. to. the.
airport..Learn.about.permitted.and.prohibited.items,.
including.liquids,.gels.and.aerosols,.on.the.TSA.web.
site,.www.tsa.gov..
•. Liquids,.gels. and.aerosols. as. carry-ons.must. follow.
the. 3-1-1. guidelines:. 3-ounce. (100. ml). or. smaller.
containers,. placed. in. a. 1. quart. (1. liter). size,. clear.
zip-top.bag,.1.bag.per.passenger.placed.in.a.plastic.
bin.for.screening.
•. Put. jewelry,. cash,. laptop. computers,. and. other.
valuables. in. your. carry-on. baggage.. Tape. your.
business. card. or. identifying. information. to. your.
laptop..
•. Place. the. following. items. in.your.carry-on.baggage.
or. be. prepared. to. remove. them. as. you. enter. the.
security. checkpoint:. mobile. phones,. keys,. loose.
change,. money. clips,. personal. digital. assistants,.
large. amounts. of. jewelry,. metal. hair. decorations,.
and.large.belt.buckles.
•. Put. all.undeveloped.film.and.cameras.with.film. in.
your. carry-on.baggage..Checked.baggage. screening.
equipment.may.damage.undeveloped.film..
•. Be.aware.of.what.you.wear.to.the.airport:.clothing,.
jewelry. and. accessories. that. contain. metal. may. set.
off.the.alarm.on.the.metal.detector..
•. You.will.need.to. take.your.shoes.off.and.put. them.
through.the.X-ray.machine..
•. If.you.wish.to.lock.your.baggage,.use.a.TSA-recognized.
lock..See.www.tsa.gov.for.more.information..
Welcome to the United States
•. Do.not.pack.wrapped.gifts.and.do.not.bring.wrapped.
gifts.to.the.checkpoint,.as.TSA.may.have.to.unwrap.
packages. for. security. reasons.. Wrap. on. arrival. or.
ship.your.gifts.prior.to.your.departure..
•. Take. your. laptop. and. video. cameras. with. cassettes.
out.of.their.cases.and.place.them.in.a.bin.provided.
at. the.checkpoint. to.go. through. the.X-ray.machine.
separately..
•. Remove.all.outer.coats,.suit.coats,.jackets.and.blazers.
and.place.them.on.the.belt.to.be.X-rayed.
•. Do.not.overstuff.checked.baggage.. If.TSA.screeners.
must. open. your. checked. bag. for. inspection,. they.
must.be.able.to.easily.close.your.bag.afterwards.
At.the.airport,.keep.your.airline.boarding.pass.available.
until. exiting. the. security. checkpoint.. The. absence. of.
proper.identification.will.result.in.additional.screening.
and.delays.
Outbound CBP Inspections
A. CBP. officer. may. select. you. for. an. interview. when.
you. leave. the.United. States.. This. does. not. necessarily.
mean. that. you. are. suspected. of. any. wrongdoing..
CBP. officers. choose. passengers. for. an. interview. for. a.
variety. of. reasons.. In. addition. to. enforcing. currency.
requirements,.CBP.enforces.hundreds.of.laws.for.other.
federal. agencies.. U.S.. Customs. and. Border. Protection.
is. charged. with. ensuring. that. all. goods. and. persons.
leaving.the.United.States.comply.with.all.U.S..laws.and.
regulations..
Don’t.forget.to.turn.in.your.forms.I-94.or.I-94W.before.
you.leave.the.country..Failure.to.do.so.will.cause.you.
to.appear.in.CBP.records.as.an.overstay..Being.identified.
as. an. overstay. means. that. you. may. be. denied. future.
entry. into. the. United. States.. If. you. failed. to. turn. in.
your.forms.I-94.or.I-94W,.please.mail.it,.along.with.any.
documentation.that.proves.you.left.the.United.States,.to:.
ACS.Inc.
1084.South.Laurel.Road.
London,.Kentucky.40744.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Keep.a.copy.of.what.you.send.to.ACS.Inc..and.carry.it.
with.you.the.next.time.you.come.to.the.United.States.
in. case. the. CBP. officer. has. any. questions. about. your.
eligibility.to.enter.
US-VISIT Exit Procedures
Visitors. will. need. to. verify. their. departure. from. the.
United. States. by. using. an. automated. exit. station. or.
kiosk.at.specific.locations..The.US-VISIT.exit.procedures.
involve.collecting.digital.finger.scans.and.a.photograph.
from.departing.international.visitors..Trained.attendants.
are.available.to.provide.assistance.to.visitors.using.the.
US-VISIT.exit.procedures.at.airports.and.seaports.
We.hope.you.have.a.safe.and.pleasant.trip.here..If.you.
prepare.ahead.of.time.and.know.what.to.expect.when.
you. arrive,. you. should. have. a. quick. and. easy. time.
clearing. the. inspection. process.. However,. if. you. are.
not. satisfied,. you. should. know. that. there. are. options.
available.to.you.to.obtain.redress..
For.information.on.US-VISIT.kiosk.locations.please.see.
page.27.
Welcome to the United States
Customer Service
If. you. have. a. concern. or. need. help. understanding.
CBP.regulations.and.procedures,.ask.to.speak.with.the.
passenger.service.representative.or.a.CBP.supervisor..
If. you. have. any. questions. about. CBP. procedures,.
requirements.or.policies.regarding.travelers:
•. Write.to.the:..
Customer.Service.Center..
Office.of.Public.Affairs..
U.S..Customs.and.Border.Protection..
1300.Pennsylvania.Avenue,.NW.
Washington,.DC.20229
•. Call.1.877.CBP.5511.(1.877.227.5511).
•. Log.on.to.CBP's.web.site.at:.www.cbp.gov.
If.you.believe.you.are.the.victim.of.serious.or.criminal.
misconduct. by. a. CBP. officer,. contact. the. Joint. Intake.
Center:
•. Call.1.877.2INTAKE.(1.877.246.8253).
•. Email.to.Joint.Intake@dhs.gov.
•. Fax.202.344.3390.
•. Write.to:..
U.S..Customs.and.Border.Protection..
P.O..Box.14475..
1200.Pennsylvania.Ave.,.NW..
Washington,.DC.20044
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Helpful Tips
Prohibited and Restricted Items
The.products.CBP.needs. to.prevent. from.entering. the.
United. States. are. those. that. would. injure. community.
health,. public. safety,. American. workers,. children,. or.
domestic.plant.and.animal.life..
Before.you.leave.for.your.trip.to.the.United.States,.you.
might. want. to. contact. the. local. CBP. office. about. the.
items.you.plan.to.bring.with.you.to.be.sure.they’re.not.
prohibited.or.restricted..
Absinthe
The. importation. of. absinthe. and. any. other. liquors.
or. liqueurs. that. contain. Artemisia. absinthium. (or.
wormwood.as.it.is.commonly.called).is.prohibited.
Automobiles
Cars. brought. into. the. United. States. temporarily. by.
nonresidents.(for.less.than.one.year).are.exempt.from.
restrictions.. However,. it. is. illegal. to. bring. a. vehicle.
into.the.United.States.and.sell.it.if.it.was.not.formally.
entered.on.a.CBP.Form.7501.
Biologicals
You.may.need.a.U.S..Department.of.Agriculture.permit.
to. import. biological. specimens. including. bacterial.
cultures,.culture.medium,.excretions,.fungi,.arthropods,.
mollusks,.tissues.of.livestock,.birds,.plants,.viruses,.and.
vectors.for.research,.biological.or.pharmaceutical.use..
Cultural Artifacts and Property
Most. countries. have. laws. that. protect. their. cultural.
property:. art/artifacts/antiquities;. archaeological. and.
ethnological.material.are.also.terms.that.are.used..Such.
laws.include.export.controls.and/or.national.ownership.
of.cultural.property..Even.if.purchased.from.a.business.
in. the. country. of. origin. or. in. another. country,. legal.
ownership. of. such. artifacts. may. be. in. question. if.
brought. into. the. United. States.. Therefore,. although.
they. do. not. necessarily. confer. ownership,. you. must.
have. documents. such. as. export. permits. and. receipts.
when. bringing. such. items. into. the. United. States..
While. foreign. laws. may. not. be. enforceable. in. the.
United. States,. they. can. cause. certain. U.S.. laws. to. be.
invoked.. For. example,. under. the. U.S.. National. Stolen.
Welcome to the United States
Property.Act,.one.cannot.have.legal.title.to.art/artifacts/
antiquities. that. were. stolen—no. matter. how. many.
times.such.items.may.have.changed.hands..
As.additional.U.S..import.restrictions.may.be.imposed.
in. response. to. requests. from. other. countries,. we.
recommend. prospective. purchasers. visit. the. State.
Department. cultural. property. web. site. (http://
exchanges.state.gov/culprop/)..
Caviar
You.are.limited.to.bringing.in.no.more.than.250.grams.
of. caviar.. If. you. bring. in. more. than. that,. ALL. of. the.
caviar.will.be.seized.
Cuban Cigars
NO.products.of.Cuba. can.be.brought. into. the.United.
States.. That. includes. Cuban. cigars. that. have. been.
purchased.in.a.country.other.than.Cuba.such.as.Canada.
or.England..
Dog and Cat Fur
It. is. illegal. in. the. United. States. to. import,. export,.
distribute,. transport,. manufacture,. or. sell. products.
containing.dog.or.cat.fur.in.the.United.States..
Drug Paraphernalia
It.is.illegal.to.bring.drug.paraphernalia.into.the.United.
States. unless. they. have. been. prescribed. for. authentic.
medical.conditions.such.as.diabetes..Drug.paraphernalia.
is. any. equipment. or. product. designed. for. use. in.
manufacturing,. compounding,. injecting,. ingesting,.
or. inhaling. a. controlled. substance,. the. possession. of.
which.is.unlawful..
Firearms
The.Bureau.of.Alcohol,.Tobacco,.Firearms.and.Explosives.
(ATF).regulates.and.restricts.firearms.and.ammunition.
and.approves.all.import.transactions.involving.weapons.
and.ammunition..U.S..visitors.(with.a.few.exceptions).
must.obtain.an.import.permit.(ATF.Form.6).from.the.
ATF. to. temporarily. import. firearms. and. ammunition.
for.hunting.or.other.lawful.sporting.purposes.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
0
Fish and Wildlife
Certain. fish. and. wildlife,. and. products. made. from.
them,. are. subject. to. import. and. export. restrictions,.
prohibitions,. permits. or. certificates,. and. quarantine.
requirements..We.recommend.that.you.contact.the.U.S..
Fish.and.Wildlife.Service.before.you.depart.if.you.plan.
to.bring.any.of.the.following.into.the.U.S.:.
•. Wild.birds,.land.or.marine.mammals,.reptiles,.fish,.
shellfish,.mollusks,.or.invertebrates.
•..Any.part.or.product.of.the.above,.such.as.skins,.tusks,.
bone,.feathers,.or.eggs.
•. Products.or.articles.manufactured.from.endangered.
wildlife. or. fish.. Endangered. species,. and. products.
made.from.them,.generally.may.not.be.imported..You.
will.need.a.permit. from.the.U.S..Fish.and.Wildlife.
Service. to. import.virtually. all. types.of. ivory.. Some.
states.have.fish.and.wildlife.laws.and.regulations.that.
are.stricter.than.federal.laws.and.regulations..If.you.
are.traveling.to.such.a.state,.be.aware.that.the.stricter.
state.laws.and.regulations.have.priority..Similarly,.the.
federal. government. does. not. allow. you. to. import.
wild.animals.into.the.United.States.that.were.taken,.
killed,. sold,. possessed,. or. exported. from. another.
country.if.any.of.these.acts.violated.foreign.laws.
Food Products (Prepared)
Many. prepared. foods. are. admissible.. You. may. bring.
bakery.items.and.certain.cheeses.into.the.United.States..
As.a.general.rule,.condiments,.vinegars,.oils,.packaged.
spices,. honey,. coffee. and. tea. are. admissible.. Because.
rice.can.often.harbor.insects,.it.is.best.to.avoid.bringing.
it. into. the. United. States,. particularly. if. it. is. in. loose.
burlap. packaging.. Foods. in. packaging. that. appears.
unsafe.or.contaminated.may.be.refused.entry.
Fruits and Vegetables
It.is.best.not.to.bring.fresh.fruits.or.vegetables.into.the.
United.States...
.
.
Welcome to the United States
Game and Hunting Trophies
If.you.plan.to.import.game.or.a.hunting.trophy,.please.
contact. the. U.S.. Fish. and. Wildlife. Service. before. you.
leave..Contact.information.can.be.found.on.page.26.of.
this.brochure.
Gold
Gold.coins,.medals,. and.bullion,. formerly.prohibited,.
may.be.brought.into.the.United.States..However,.under.
regulations. administered. by. the. Office. of. Foreign.
Assets. Control,. such. items. originating. in. or. brought.
from. Cuba,. Iran,. Iraq,. Libya,. Serbia,. and. Sudan. are.
prohibited.entry..Copies.of.gold.coins.are.prohibited.if.
not.properly.marked.by.country.of.issuance..
Meats, Livestock, and Poultry
You.may.not. import. fresh,.dried,.or.canned.meats.or.
meat. products. from. most. foreign. countries. into. the.
United.States..Also,.you.may.not.import.food.products.
that. have. been. prepared. with. meat.. Commercially.
canned.meat.is.allowed.if.the.CBP.officer.can.determine.
from. the. label. that. the. meat. was. cooked. in. the. can.
after. it. was. sealed. to. make. it. shelf-stable. without.
refrigeration.. The. regulations. on. importing. meat. and.
meat.products.change.frequently.because.they.are.based.
on.disease.outbreaks.in.different.areas.of.the.world.
.
If. you. have. questions. about. whether. particular.
agricultural. products. can. be. brought. into. the. United.
States,.contact.APHIS’.Plant.Protection.and.Quarantine.
(PPQ)..Look.in.the.phone.book.under.“U.S..Department.
of.Agriculture”.for.the.nearest.PPQ.office,.or.contact.the.
central.office.at:.
USDA–APHIS–PPQ
Permit.Unit
4700.River.Road,.Unit.136
Riverdale,.MD.20737
Telephone.301.734.8645.
Fax.301.734.5786.
In. addition,. you. can. visit. their. Web. site. at.
http://www.aphis.usda.gov..
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Medication
Rule. of. thumb:. Bring. only. the. medicines. you. will.
need,. no. more,. no. less.. If. you. need. medicines. that.
contain. potentially. addictive. drugs. or. narcotics. (e.g.,.
some. cough. medicines,. tranquilizers,. sleeping. pills,.
antidepressants,.or.stimulants),.do.the.following:
•. Declare.all.drugs,.medicines,.and.similar.products.to.
the.appropriate.CBP.official.
•. Carry.drugs,.medicines.and.similar.products.in.their.
original.containers.
•. Carry. only. the. quantity. of. such. substances. that.
a. person. with. that. condition. (e.g.,. chronic. pain).
would.normally.carry.for.his/her.personal.use.
Please. note. that. only. medications. that. can. be. legally.
prescribed. in. the. United. States. may. be. imported. for.
personal. use.. Be. aware. that. possession. of. certain.
substances.may.also.violate.state.laws..(As.a.general.rule,.
the.Food.and.Drug.Administration.does.not.allow.the.
importation.of.prescription.drugs.that.were.purchased.
outside. the. United. States.. Please. see. their. Web. site.
at. www.fda.gov. for. information. about. the. enforcement.
policy.for.personal.use.quantities.)
For. specifics. about. importing. controlled. substances,.
call. 301.827.4570. or. toll. free. at. 1.888.INFO. FDA.
(1.888.463.6332).. For. additional. information. about.
traveling.with.medication,.write.to.the.U.S..Food.and.
Drug. Administration,. Division. of. Drug. Information,.
HFD-240,.5600.Fishers.Lane,.Rockville,.MD.20857.
Merchandise from Embargoed Countries
Generally,. you. may. not. bring. in. any. goods. from. the.
following:. Cuba,. Burma. (Myanmar),. Angola,. Libera,.
Sierra.Leone.(diamonds.only),.and.Sudan..The.Office.of.
Foreign.Assets.Control.(OFAC).of.the.U.S..Department.
of.Treasury.enforces.this.ban..If.you.want.to.bring.in.
merchandise.from.any.of.these.countries,.you.will.first.
need.a.specific.license.from.the.Office.of.Foreign.Assets.
Control..Such.licenses.are.rarely.granted..You.can.write.
to. the. Office. of. Foreign. Assets. Control,. Department.
of. the. Treasury,. Washington,. DC. 20220,. or. visit.
Welcome to the United States
their.Web.site.at.www.treas.gov/ofac.
Please note:
•. The.embargo.on.Iranian.goods.has.been.revised.to.
allow. the. importation. of. foodstuffs. intended. for.
human.consumption,.carpets.and.other.textile.floor.
coverings.. You. may. only. bring. in. $100. worth. of.
goods.other.than.carpets,.food.and.books.
•. Only.certain.Iraqi.cultural.property.or.other.items.of.
archaeological,.historical/cultural,.rare.scientific.and.
religious.importance.illegally.removed.from.the.Iraq.
National. Museum,. the. National. Library. and. other.
locations.in.Iraq.is.prohibited..
•. There. is.a.general. lifting.of. the.embargo.on.Serbia.
and.Montenegro.
•. The. importation.of.merchandise. from.North.Korea.
requires.a.letter.of.approval.issued.by.the.OFAC.
You. may,. however,. bring. in. information. and.
informational. materials—books,. magazines,. films,.
posters,.photographs,.microfilms,. tapes,.CDs,.records,.
works. of. art,. etc.. Blank. tapes. and. blank. CDs. are. not.
informational.materials..
Money and Other Monetary Instruments
You.may.bring.into.or.take.out.of.the.country,.including.
by.mail,.as.much.money.as.you.wish..However,.if.it.is.
more.than.$10,000,.you.will.need.to.report.it.to.CBP..
Families. traveling. together. should.declare. currency. if.
the. total. combined. amount. is. over. $10,000.. 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..
Be.aware.that.if.you.have.$10,000.with.you.and.happen.
to.have.a.couple.of.quarters.in.your.pocket.you.are.in.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
violation. of. the. Currency. Reporting. statute.. Better. be.
safe.than.sorry.and.fill.out.the.reporting.form.
Pets
If.you.plan.to.bring.your.pet.to.the.United.States.with.
you,. please. see. the. CBP. brochure. Pets. and. Wildlife.
at. http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/publications/travel/..
(You. should. also. check. with. state,. county,. and.
local. authorities,. especially. Hawaii,. to. learn. if. their.
restrictions. and. prohibitions. on. pets. are. stricter. than.
federal. requirements.). Importing. animals. is. closely.
regulated. for. public. health. reasons. and. also. for. the.
well. being. of. the. animals.. There. are. restrictions.
and. prohibitions. on. bringing. many. species. into. the.
United.States..
Plants and Seeds
Every.plant.or.plant.product,.including.handicraft.items.
made.with. straw,.must.be.declared. to. the.CBP.officer.
and. must. be. presented. for. CBP. inspection,. no. matter.
how.free.of.pests.it.appears.to.be..For.information.write.
to.USDA-APHIS-PPQ,.4700.River.Road,.Riverdale,.MD.
20737;.call.301.734.8645.or.toll.free.at.1.877.770.5990;.
or.visit.the.APHIS.Web.site.at.http://www.aphis.usda.gov/
ppq/permits/plantproducts/index.html.
Soil
Soil. is. prohibited. entry. unless. accompanied. by. an.
import. permit.. Soil. must. be. declared. and. the. permit.
must.be.verified.
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. exemption,. you. may. have. to.
pay. duty. on. the. items.. Personal. shipments,. however,.
may. be. subject. to. limitations. on. amount. if. they. are.
in. quantities. that. might. be. considered. commercial..
Textiles.in.any.amount.can.be.considered.commercial.
Welcome to the United States
Trademarked and Copyrighted Articles
CBP. enforces. laws. relating. to. the. protection. of.
trademarks. and. copyrights.. Articles. that. infringe. a.
federally. registered. trademark. or. copyright. or.
copyright. protected. by. the. Berne. Convention. for.
the. Protection. of. Literary. and. Artistic. Works. are.
subject. to. detention. and/or. seizure.. Articles. bearing.
marks. that. are. counterfeit. or. inappropriately. using. a.
federally. registered. trademark. are. subject. to. seizure.
and. forfeiture.. The. importation. of. articles. intended.
for. sale. or. public. distribution. bearing. counterfeit.
marks. 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.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. and. accessories,. and.
clothing.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Helpful Web sites
Department of Homeland Secuity
http://www.dhs.gov
U.S..Customs.and.Border.Protection.
http://www.cbp.gov
Transportation.Security.Administration.
http://www.tsa.gov
US-VISIT.
http://www.dhs.gov/us-visit
U.S..Customs.and.Immigration.Services.
http://www.uscis.gov
•. I-551,. Permanent. Resident. Card. (“Green. Card”).
http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/services/residency/index.htm
U.S. State Department
•. Passports.
http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html
•. Visas.
http://travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.html
•. Visa.Waiver.Program.
http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/without/without_1990.html
U.S. Department of Agriculture
•. Birds.
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/subjects/animal_health/index.shtml
•. Plants.and.seeds.
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/permits/plantproducts/
index.html
Welcome to the United States
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
•. Permits.
http://www.fws.gov/permits/
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
http://www.fda.gov
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and
Explosives
•. Firearms.
http://www.atf.gov/firearms/index.htm
US-VISIT Locations
Airports
Alaska.
Anchorage.International.Airport.
Fairbanks.International.Airport.
Juneau.International.Airport.
.
Arizona
Phoenix.Sky.Harbor.
International.Airport.
Tucson.International.Airport.
Yuma.International.Airport.
.
California
Fresno-Yosemite.International.Airport.
Los.Angeles.International.Airport.
Metropolitan.Oakland.International.Airport.
Ontario.International.Airport.
Sacramento.International.Airport.
San.Diego.International.Airport.
San.Francisco.International.Airport.
San.Jose.International.Airport..
.
Colorado
Denver.International.Airport..
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Connecticut
Bradley.International.Airport.
.
Delaware
Delaware.Airpark..
.
Florida
Fort.Lauderdale.Executive.Airport.
Fort.Lauderdale.Hollywood.International.Airport.
Key.West.International.Airport.
Jacksonville.International.Airport.
Kendall-Tamiami.Executive.Airport.
Key.West.International.Airport.
Miami.International.Airport.
Opa.Locka.Airport.
Orlando.International.Airport.
Orlando.Sanford.International.Airport.
Palm.Beach.International.Airport.
Sarasota-Bradenton.International.Airport.
Southwest.Florida.International.Airport.
Tampa.International.
St..Lucie.County.International.Airport.
St..Petersburg-Clearwater.International.Airport.
Tampa.International.Airport.
.
Guam.
Guam.International.Airport..
.
Hawaii.
Honolulu.International.Airport.
Kona.International.Airport.at.Keahole..
.
Illinois.
Chicago.Midway.Airport.
Chicago.O’Hare.International.Airport..
.
Indiana
Indianapolis.International.Airport..
.
Louisiana
Louis.Armstrong.New.Orleans.International.Airport..
.
Maine
Bangor.International.Airport.
Portland.International.Airport..
.
Welcome to the United States
Maryland
Andrews.Air.Force.Base.
Baltimore-Washington.International.Airport..
.
Massachusetts
General.Edward.Lawrence.Logan.International.Airport..
.
Michigan
Detroit.Metropolitan.Wayne.County.International.
Airport..
.
Minnesota
Falls.International.Airport.
Minneapolis/St..Paul.International.Airport..
Missouri
Kansas.City.International.Airport.
Lambert-St..Louis.International.Airport..
.
Nevada.
McCarran.International.Airport.
Reno/Tahoe.International.Airport..
.
New Hampshire
Manchester.Airport.
Pease.International.Tradeport.Airport.
New Jersey
Newark.International.Airport.
Teterboro.Airport..
.
New Mexico
Albuquerque.International.Sunport.Airport..
.
New York
Albany.International.Airport.
Buffalo.Niagara.International.Airport.
John.F..Kennedy.International.Airport..
.
North Carolina
Charlotte.Douglas.International.Airport.
Raleigh-Durham.International.Airport.
Wilmington.International.Airport..
.
Ohio
Cincinnati/Northern.Kentucky.International.Airport.
Cleveland.Hopkins.International.Airport.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
0
Griffing.Sandusky.Airport.
Port.Columbus.International.Airport.
Rickenbacker.International.Airport.
.
Oregon
Portland.International.Airport..
.
Pennsylvania
Erie.International.Airport.
Philadelphia.International.Airport.
Pittsburgh.International.Airport..
.
Puerto Rico
Diego.Jiménez.TorresAirport.
Eugenio.Maria.de.Hostos.Airport.
Isla.Grande.Airport.
Luis.Muñoz.Marin.International.Airport.
Mercedita.Airport.
Rafael.Hernandez.Airport.
.
Rhode Island
Theodore.Francis.Green.State.Airport..
.
South Carolina
Charleston.International.Airport.
Donaldson.Center.Airport..
.
Tennessee.
Memphis.International.Airport.
Nashville.International.Airport..
.
Texas.
Austin-Bergstrom.International.Airport.
Brownsville/South.Padre.Island.International.Airport.
Dallas/Fort.Worth.International.Airport.
Del.Rio.International.Airport.
El.Paso.International.Airport.
George.Bush.Intercontinental/Houston.Airport.
Laredo.International.Airport..
and.Laredo.Private.Airport.
McAllen.Miller.International.Airport.
San.Antonio.International.Airport..
.
Utah.
Salt.Lake.City.International.Airport..
.
Welcome to the United States
Virginia
Norfolk.International.Airport.
Richmond.International.Airport.
Washington.Dulles.International.Airport.
.
Virgin Islands
Cyril.E..King.Airport.
Henry.E..Rohlsen.International.Airport..
.
Washington
Bellingham.International.Airport.
Kenmore.Air.Harbor.
King.County.International.Airport.
Seattle-Tacoma.International.Airport.
Spokane.International.Airport..
.
Wisconsin.
General.Mitchell.International.Airport.
Non-U.S. Airports (US-VISIT Locations)
Aruba.
Aeropuerto.Internacional.Reina.Beatrix..
.
Bahamas
Freeport.International.Airport.
Nassau.International.Airport..
.
Bermuda.
Bermuda.International.Airport..
.
Ireland.
Dublin.International.Airport.
Shannon.International.Airport..
.
Canada.
Calgary.International.Airport.
Edmonton.International.Airport.
Halifax.International.Airport.
Montreal-Pierre-Elliott-Trudeau.International.Airport.
Ottawa.International.Airport.
Toronto.Lester.B.Pearson.International.Airport.
Vancouver.International.Airport.
Victoria.International.Airport.
Winnipeg.International.Airport.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Seaports (US-VISIT Locations)
California
Long.Beach.Carnival.Cruise.
San.Pedro.World.Cruise.Center..
.
Florida
Jacksonville.
Miami,.RCI.
Port.Canaveral.
Port.Everglades.
Tampa,.Terminal.3.
Tampa,.Terminal.7.
West.Palm.Seaport..
.
Louisiana
Erato.Street.Cruise.Terminal..
.
New York
New.York.City.Cruise.Terminal..
.
Puerto Rico
San.Juan.Pan-American..
.
Texas.
Galveston.RCI..
.
Washington
Seattle.Seaport.
Seattle,.Birth.30,.Cruise.Terminal..
.
Canada
Vancouver,.Ballantyne.Pier.
Vancouver,.Canada.Place.
Victoria,.Pre.Inspection..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Welcome to the United States
Land Border Ports (US-VISIT Locations)
Alaska
Alcan.
Dalton's.Cache.
Skagway.
.
Arizona
Douglas.
Lukeville.
Nogales.East,.Nogales.
Nogales.West,.Nogales.
San.Luis.
Sasabe.
Morley.Gate,.Nogales.
Naco.
.
California
Andrade.
Calexico.East-Imperial.Valley,.Calexico.
Calexico.West,.Calexico
Otay.Mesa,.San.Diego.
San.Ysidro,.San.Diego.
Tecate..
.
Maine.
Bar.Harbor.Ferry,.Bar.Harbor.
Bridgewater.
Calais-Ferry.Point.Bridge,.Calais.
Coburn.Gore.
Eastport.
Fort.Fairfield.
Fort.Kent.
Hamlin.
Houlton.
Jackman.
Limestone.
Lubec.
Madawaska.
Van.Buren.
Vanceboro.
.
Michigan.
Detroit.Ambassador.Bridge,.Detroit.
Detroit-Windsor.Tunnel,.Detroit.
Port.Huron.–.Blue.Water.Bridge,.Port.Huron.
Sault.Ste..Marie.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Algonac.Ferry,.Algonac.
Marine.City.Ferry,.Marine.City..
.
Minnesota
Baudette.
Ely.
Grand.Portage.
International.Falls.
Lancaster.
Roseau.
Warroad..
.
Montana
Chief.Mountain.
Del.Bonita.
Morgan,.Loring.
Opheim.
Piegan,.Babb.
Raymond.
Roosville.
Scobey.
Sweetgrass.
Turner.
Willow.Creek,.Turner.
Wild.Horse,.Havre.
Whitetail..
.
New Hampshire
Pittsburg..
.
New Mexico
Antelope.Wells.
Columbus.
Santa.Teresa.
.
New York
Cape.Vincent.Ferry,.Cape.Vincent.
Champlain.Amtrak.Station,.Champlain.
Champlain.
Chateaugay.
Fort.Covington.
Heart.Island.Ferry,.Alexandria.Bay.
Massena,.Rooseveltown.
Mooers.
Niagara.(Lewiston-Queenston,.Whirlpool.and.
Rainbow.Bridges).
Welcome to the United States
Niagara.Falls.Amtrak.Station,.Niagara.Falls.
Ogdensburg.
Overton.Corners,.Champlain.
Peace.Bridge,.Buffalo.
Rochester.Ferry,.Rochester.
Rouses.Point.
Thousand.Islands.Bridge,.Alexandria.Bay.
Trout.River..
.
Texas.
Amistad.Dam,.Amistad.Village.
Bridge.of.the.Americas/Cordova.Bridge,.El.Paso.
Brownsville/Matamoros.Bridge,.Brownsville.
Columbia.Solidarity.Bridge,.Laredo.
Convent.Street.(or.Gateway.to.the.Americas.
International.Bridge),.Laredo.
Del.Rio.International.Bridge,.Del.Rio.
Eagle.Pass.Bridge.I,.Eagle.Pass.
Eagle.Pass.Bridge.II,.Eagle.Pass.
Fabens.
Fort.Hancock.
Gateway.International.Bridge,.Brownsville.
Hidalgo,.McAllen.
Lincoln-Juarez.Bridge,.Laredo.
Los.Indios.
Los.Tomates/Veterans.International.Bridge,.Brownsville.
Paso.del.Norte.Bridge,.El.Paso.
Pharr.
Presidio.
Progreso.
Rio.Grande.City.
Roma.
World.Trade.Bridge,.Laredo.
Ysleta-Zaragoza.Bridge,.El.Paso..
.
Vermont.
Alburg.Springs.
Alburg.
Beebe.Plain.
Beecher.Falls.
Canaan.
Derby.Line.
East.Richford.
Highgate.Springs.
Morses.Line.
North.Troy.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Norton.
Richford.
Richford/Pinnacle,.Richford.
West.Berkshire..
.
Washington.
Blaine-Pacific.Highway,.Blaine.
Blaine-Peace.Arch,.Blaine.
Boundary.
Danville.
Ferry.
Frontier.
Laurier.
Lynden.
Metaline.Falls.
Nighthawk.
Oroville.
Point.Roberts.
Sumas..
.
Canada
Vancouver.Amtrak.Station,.Vancouver.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Welcome to the United States
NEXUS Locations
. Land Border Ports
British Columbia, Washington
.
•. Pacific.Highway,.Blaine.
.
•. Douglas,.Peace.Arch.
.
•. Boundary.Bay,.Point.Roberts.
Southern Ontario, Michigan, New York
.
•. The.Bluewater.Bridge.in.Sarnia,.Port.Huron.
.
•. The.Ambassador.Bridge.in.Windsor,.Detroit.
.
•. The.Peace.Bridge.in.Fort.Erie,.Buffalo.
.
•. The.International.Tunnel.in.Windsor,.Detroit.
.
•. The.Rainbow.Bridge.in.Niagara.Falls,..
.
.
Ontario,.Niagara.Falls,.New.York.
.
•. The.Whirlpool.Bridge.in.Niagara.Falls,..
.
.
Ontario,.Niagara.Falls,.New.York.
Quebec, New York, Vermont
.
•. Lacolle,.Quebec,.Champlain,.New.York.
.
•.
St..Armand-Philipsburg,.Quebec,.Highgate.. .
.
Springs,.Vermont.
Marine (NEXUS Locations)
.
•. Report.by.telephone.in.the.Seattle.&.Great..
.
.
Lakes.regions.
. For.local.reporting.telephone.numbers.please.see.
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/pleasure_boats
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Airport (NEXUS Locations)
.
•. Vancouver.International.Airport
.
•. Toronto.Pearson.International.Airport
.
•. Montréal-Pierre.Elliott.Trudeau.International..
.
Airport
NEXUS Airport Locations Coming Soon:
.
•. Ottawa.Macdonald-Cartier.
.
International.Airport.
.
•. Edmonton.International.Airport.
.
•. Calgary.International.Airport.
.
•. Winnipeg.International.Airport.
.
•. Halifax.International.Airport.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Washington, D.C. 20229
To report suspicious activity call
1-800 BE ALERT
CBP Publication 0000-0146
March 2007
Welcome
to the
United States
A Guide for International
Visitors
Washington, D.C. 20229
To report suspicious activity call
1-800 BE ALERT
CBP Publication 0000-0146
March 2007
Welcome
to the
United States
A Guide for International
Visitors
Welcome to the United States
Contents
Introduction......................................................... 1
Preparing For Your Trip......................................... 2
International.Visitors.Checklist........................... 2
Visa.Wavier.Program.Visitors.............................. 3
Canadian,.Mexican,.and.Caribbean.Residents....... 5
Students.and.Exchange.Visitors........................... 6
Lawful.Permanent.Residents............................... 7
How.do.you.get.a.Visa?. .................................... 7
Navigating Passenger Processing............................ 9
Passenger.Processing.Checklist........................... 9
Pre-Arrival. ...................................................... 9
CBP.Inspection.Process.................................... 11
Arrival........................................................... 12
Baggage.Claim................................................ 12
Connecting.Flights.......................................... 13
Returning Home................................................. 14
Transportation.Security.Administration............. 14
Outbound.CBP.Inspections. ............................. 15
US-VISIT.Exit.Procedures................................. 16
Customer Service................................................ 17
Helpful Tips........................................................ 18
Prohibited.and.Restricted.Items. ...................... 18
Helpful.Web.sites............................................ 26
US-VISIT:.Current.Ports.of.Entry...................... 27
NEXUS.Locations. ........................................... 37
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Welcome to the United States
Introduction
Welcome to the United States. We are glad that you decided to
visit, study, work, conduct business or come permanently to the
United States.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a diverse organization
responsible for a wide-ranging set of missions that protect the
United States against terrorists, other criminals and illegal activity
while facilitating legitimate trade and travel. The information in
this brochure will help you prepare for your trip and ensure that
your experience entering the United States is as smooth as possible.
Your cooperation with us will help speed you along your way.
Important note: The information in this brochure was correct as of
the date of printing. For the most up-to-date information, please
visit our Web site at www.cbp.gov.
U.S. Customs and
Border Protection Mission Statement
We are the guardians of our Nation’s borders.
We are America’s frontline.
We safeguard the American homeland at and
beyond our borders.
We protect the American public against terrorists
and the instruments of terror.
We steadfastly enforce the laws of the United States
while fostering our Nation’s economic security though
lawful international trade and travel.
We serve the American public with vigilance, integrity
and professionalism.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Preparing For Your Trip
International Visitors Checklist
___. Passport..(Unless.exempt).Most.temporary..
visits.require.passports,.which.must.be.valid.
for.six.months.beyond.their.intended.period.of.
stay.(exceptions.apply)..Make.a.copy.and.put.it.
in.a.separate.place..Carry.your.passport—do.not.
pack.it..For.Visa.Waiver.countries,.as.of.June.
26,.2005.all.participants.(including.infants).are.
required.to.have.machine-readable.passports..
Passports.issued.on.or.after.October.26,.2005,.
must.contain.a.digital.photo,.and.if.issued.as.of.
October.26,.2006,.the.passport.must.be.an.“E-
passport.”.See.www.cbp.gov.for.more.information.
___. The.appropriate.unexpired.visa.(nonimmigrant.
visa,.when.applicable)..If.coming.permanently,.
make.a.copy.and.put.it.in.a.separate.place..Carry.
your.immigrant.visa—do.not.pack.it.
___. Carry.only.medication.needed.for.the.trip,.in.its.
original.container.
___. Carry.only.jewelry.needed.for.the.trip..
___. If.bringing.a.pet,.have.a.health.certificate.and.
proof.of.rabies.vaccination.from.a.veterinarian.
in.the.country.of.residence..(The.airline.may.
require.a.health.certification.for.a.cat.)
___. Have.notarized.travel.permission.letters.for.
minors.traveling.without.their.parents,.if.
possible..If.the.child.is.only.accompanied.by.one.
parent,.the.adult.should.have.a.notarized.note.
from.the.child's.other.parent—or,.in.the.case.
of.a.child.traveling.with.grandparents,.uncles.
or.aunts,.sisters.or.brothers,.or.friends,.a.note.
signed.by.both.parents,.stating."I.acknowledge.
that.my.wife/husband/etc..is.traveling.out.of.the.
country.with.my.son/daughter..He/She/They.
have.my.permission.to.do.so."
Welcome to the United States
Visa Waiver Program (VWP) Visitors
To. participate. in. the. VWP. program. you. must. be.
a. citizen. of. a. participating. VWP. country.. The. 27.
countries.participating.in.the.VWP.are:
Andorra
Ireland
San.Marino
Australia
Italy
Singapore
Austria
Japan
Slovenia
Belgium
Liechtenstein.
Spain
Brunei
Luxembourg
Sweden
Denmark
Monaco
Switzerland
Finland
The.Netherlands United.
Kingdom*
France
New.Zealand
Germany
Norway
Iceland
Portugal
*British. citizens. only. with. the. unrestricted. right. of.
abode. in. England,. Scotland,.Wales,.Northern. Ireland,.
the.Channel.Islands.and.the.Isle.of.Man.
•. Each. applicant. (including. infants). must. be. in.
possession.of.a.passport.from.a.VWP.country.valid.
for.six.months.beyond.the.period.of.your.intended.
stay,.or.essentially.nine.months.(90.day.+.6.months)..
Passports. issued. before. October. 26,. 2005,. must. be.
machine-readable..
•. Passports. issued.on.or. after.October.26,.2005,. and.
before. October. 26,. 2006,. must. contain. a. digital.
photo.
•. Passports.issued.on.or.after.October.26,.2006,.must.
be.an.“E-passport”,.which.must.contain.an.integrated.
chip. that. stores. biographic. data,. a. digitized. photo,.
and. other. biographic. information.. Applicants. must.
be. entering. only. as. a. visitor. for. business. (WB). or.
pleasure.(WT).
•. Applicants. cannot. be. admitted. for. more. than. 90.
days.
•. Applicants. must. present. a. signed. and. completed.
Form.I-94W.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
•. Applicants. arriving. by. air. or. sea. must. arrive. on. a.
carrier.that.is.signatory.to.the.VWP.
•. Applicants.arriving.by.air.or.sea.must.possess.a.ticket,.
valid.for.at.least.one.year,.to.any.foreign.place/port.
other. than.Canada.or.Mexico.or. an. adjacent. island.
unless.you.permanently.reside.there.
•. Applicants. arriving. at. land. borders. are. required. to.
prove.economic.solvency.and.a.foreign.residence.to.
which.they.intend.to.return.
•. Applicants.who.were.previously. removed. from. the.
U.S.. as. “deportable. aliens”. and. those. who. have.
previously. violated. the. terms. of. their. admission.
(i.e.. overstaying. their. visit),. even. if. not. formally.
apprehended.or.removed,.must.apply.for.a.visa.
•. Applicants. must. not. fall. under. any. inadmissibility.
provision,.or.appear.in.any.“lookout”.database.
Special. requirements. for.VWP. travelers. from.Austria,
Italy, France and Germany:
•. Austria:.The.Austrian.visa.“foil”.was.an.acceptable.
alternative. means. of. compliance. with. the. digital.
photo. requirement. for. VWP. applicants.. The. foil.
was. used. for. newly. issued. passports. as. well. as. for.
passports. that. had. been. renewed.. In. both. cases,.
the. foil. was. valid. for. a. maximum. of. 12. months..
The. machine-readable. zone. shows. the. period. of.
validity,.which.in.no.case.was.later.than.December.
31,.2006..
•. Italy:. If.your.regular. Italian.passport.was. issued.or.
renewed.on.or.after.October.26,.2005,.and.includes.
a. digital. photo,. you. are. compliant. with. VWP.
requirements..
•. France:. If.you.are.traveling.with.a.French.passport.
issued.on.or. after.October.26,.2005,. that. does.not.
have. an. electronic. chip. you. will. need. to. apply. for.
a.U.S..visa.. It.will.have.a.gold.symbol.on. the. front.
cover.if.it.has.an.electronic.chip..
Welcome to the United States
•. Germany:. As. of. May. 1,. 2006,. German. temporary.
or.emergency.passports.will.no. longer.be.valid. for.
admission. into. the. United. States.. German. citizens.
who.otherwise.meet.VWP.requirements.and.present.
regular,.official,.or.diplomatic.passports.that.comply.
with. VWP. requirements. may. continue. to. travel. to.
the.United.States.under.the.VWP..
Canadian, Mexican, and
Caribbean Residents
All. persons,. including. citizens. of. the. United. States.
traveling. by. air. between. the. U.S.,. Canada,. Mexico,.
the.Caribbean.and.Bermuda.will.now.have. to.present.
a. passport,. Merchant. Mariner's. Document. (presented.
by.U.S..citizen.merchant.mariners.traveling.on.official.
business). or. NEXUS. Air. Card. (NEXUS. enrollment. is.
limited. to. citizens. of. the. United. States. and. Canada,.
and. lawful. permanent. residents. of. the. United. States.
and.Canada)..Children.will.be.required.to.present.their.
own.passport.
Exceptions. to. the. passport. requirement. include,. U.S..
Lawful. Permanent. Residents. (LPRs),. refugees,. and.
asylees. who. will. continue. to. be. able. to. use. their.
Alien. Registration. Card. (Form. I-551),. issued. by. the.
Department. of. Homeland. Security. (DHS),. or. other.
evidence. of. permanent. resident. status. or. refugee. or.
asylee.status.to.apply.for.entry.into.the.United.States..
The.passport.requirement.does.not.apply.to.members.of.
the.United.States.armed.forces.on.active.duty..However,.
spouses.and.dependents.of.these.military.members.will.
be. required. to. present. a. passport. (and. valid. visa,. if.
applicable).when.traveling.into.the.United.States.under.
the.Western.Hemisphere.Travel.Initiative.(WHTI).
WHTI.will.not.affect.travel.between.the.United.States.
and. its. territories.. U.S.. citizens. traveling. directly.
between. the. Unites. States,. Guam,. Puerto. Rico,. the.
U.S..Virgin.Islands,.America.Samoa,.Swains.Island.and.
the.Commonwealth.of. the.Northern.Marianas. Islands.
will. continue. to. be. able. to. use. established. forms. of.
identification.to.board.flights.and.for.entry.
As early as January 1, 2008,. all. persons. including.
U.S.. citizens. traveling. between. the. U.S.. and. Canada,.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Mexico,. the. Caribbean,. and. Bermuda. by land or sea.
(including.ferries),.could.be.required.to.present.a.valid.
passport.or.other.documents.as.determined.by.DHS.in.
a. forthcoming. rule.. While. recent. legislative. changes.
permit. a. later. deadline,. the. Department. of. State. and.
DHS.are.working. to.meet.all. requirements.as. soon.as.
possible.. Ample. advance. notice. will. be. provided. to.
enable. the. public. to. obtain. acceptable. documents. for.
land/sea.entries.to.the.United.States.
Students and Exchange Visitors
Before.leaving.your.country:
•. Confirm.that.your.passport.and.nonimmigrant.visa.
are. still. valid. for. entry. into. the. United. States.. The.
passport. should. be. valid. for. at. least. six. months.
beyond.the.date.of.your.expected.stay..
•. Check. to. see. that. your. visa. accurately. reflects. your.
correct.visa.classification..
•. If.the.visa.states.the.name.of.the.institution.you.will.
attend.or.identifies.the.exchange.program.in.which.
you.are.participating,.verify.that.this.information.is.
accurate.as.well..
•. When.you.receive.your.visa,.the.consular.officer.will.
seal. your. immigration. documents. in. an. envelope.
and. attach. it. to. your. passport.. Do. not. open. this.
envelope!.The.CBP.officer. at. the.U.S..port.of. entry.
will.open.it.
If.your.review.indicates.any.discrepancies.or.potential.
problems,.visit.the.U.S..embassy.or.consulate.to.obtain.
a.new.visa.
When you travel as a student, you should
carry some specific documents with you,
including:
•. Passport.(including.attached.envelope.of.immigration.
documents).with.nonimmigrant.visa.
•. SEVIS.Form.I-20AB,.I-20MN,.DS-2019.
Welcome to the United States
•. Visa.exempt.nationals.presenting.a.SEVIS.Form.I-20AB,.
I-20MN.or.DS-2019.issued.on.or.after.September.1,.
2004,.who.are.entering.the.United.States.for.the.first.
time. should. have. a. Form. I-797,. Receipt. Notice. or.
Internet.Receipt.verifying.SEVIS.fee.payment..
•. Evidence.of.financial.resources.
You should also carry:
•..Evidence.of.Student/Exchange.Visitor.status.(recent.....
...tuition.receipts,.transcripts).
•. Name.and.contact.information.for.Designated.School.
Official. (DSO).or.Responsible.Officer. (RO).at.your.
intended.school.or.program.
Lawful Permanent Residents
Lawful.Permanent.Residents.are.NOT.required.to.
have.a.passport..However,.lawful.permanent.residents.
must.provide.one.of.the.following.valid,.unexpired.
documents:.
•. I-551,.Permanent.Resident.Card.(“Green.Card”);.
•. Machine-Readable. Immigrant.Visa. endorsed.with. a.
CBP.Admission.Stamp;
•. ADIT.or. I-551.stamp.contained. in.a.passport.or.on.
Form.I-94;.
•. Valid.Reentry.Permit;
•. Valid.Refugee.Travel.Document;.or.
•. Unexpired.Immigrant.Visa.
How do you get a visa?
Fill.out. the.appropriate.visa.application.form.available.
on.the.Department.of.State.Web.site.at.http://travel.state.
gov..(You.must.apply.for.a.visa.unless.eligible. to.enter.
under.the.Visa.Waiver.Program)..
•. Contact.the.U.S..embassy.in.your.home.country.and.
make.an.appointment.for.the.visa.interview..
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
•. Take. to. the. interview. the. visa. application,. valid.
passport,. a. photograph,. supporting. documentation.
and. a. receipt. showing. that. the. application. fee. has.
been.paid..(If.you.are.requesting.a.student.visa,.show.
a.receipt.for.school’s.fee.payment.(Form.I-797.or.the.
SEVIS.I-901).
•. As. part. of. the. interview. process. an. inkless. finger.
scan. of. both. the. right. and. left. hands. is. taken. for.
security.reasons.
•. You.will.be.told.at.the.end.of.the.interview.process.
whether. or. not. your. visa. has. been. approved.. For.
more.information.on.how.to.get.a.visa,.go.to.http://
travel.state.gov.
Welcome to the United States
Navigating Passenger
Processing
Passenger Processing Checklist
___. Obtain.travel.documents.before.leaving.your.
home.country.
___. If.entering.by.air.or.sea,.obtain.CBP.Forms.I-
94.or.I-94W.and.a.CBP.Declaration.(CBP.Form.
6059B),.on.board.the.airplane.or.ship.
Note:.Be.sure.to.fill.out.the.top.and.bottom.of.the.CBP.
Form.I-94.and.top,.bottom.and.back.of.the.CBP.Form.
I-94W.
___. Arrive.into.the.United.States.and.go.to.the.
primary.passenger.processing.area.
___. Pick.up.your.baggage.at.the.baggage.carousel.
___. Proceed.through.CBP.checkpoint.and.show.your.
declaration.to.the.CBP.officer.(baggage.may.be.
examined).
___. Go.to.secondary.area,.if.requested.by.a.CBP..
officer.
___. Pay.duty,.if.applicable.
___. Depart.airport.or.connect.to.your.next.flight.
(See.information.under.Connecting.Flights.on..
page.13).
Pre-Arrival to the United States
While. en-route. in. preparation. for. arrival,. fill. out. the.
CBP.Form. I-94.or.CBP.Form. I-94W,. if. required.. Each.
individual. in. possession. of. a. nonimmigrant. visa. is.
required. to.fill.out. a. Form. I-94.or,. if. traveling.under.
the. Visa. Waiver. Program,. each. individual. is. required.
to.complete.and.sign.Form.I-94W..This. form.has. two.
perforated.sections..
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
0
•. The. top. of. the. form. is. your. arrival. record.. A. CBP.
officer.will.collect.this.from.you.when.you.arrive..
•. The.bottom.of.the.form.is.a.departure.record.which.
must.be.returned.upon.exiting.the.United.States. in.
accordance. with. the. direction. on. the. back. of. this.
portion.
Next,. fill. out. and. sign. your.CBP.Declaration. Form..A.
CBP.Declaration,.CBP.Form.6059B,.is.required.for.each.
person.or.family.group..Don’t.forget.to.declare:
•. Items.you.bought.in.duty-free.shops,.on.the.ship,.
or.on.the.plane..Duty-free.items.are.only.duty.
free.in.the.country.you.bought.them.in..You.may.
have.to.pay.duty.on.them.when.you.arrive.in.the.
United.States.
•. Items.you.are.bringing.for.someone.else..
•. Items.you.intend.to.sell.or.use.in.your.business.
•. Food,.both.processed.and.unprocessed.
You.must.state.on.the.CBP.Declaration,.in.U.S..currency,.
what. you. actually.paid. for. each. item..The.price.must.
include.all.taxes..If.you.don’t.know.for.sure,.estimate..
Here.are.some.other.helpful.tips.on.declarations:
•. As.a.non-resident,.you.are.allowed.up.to.$100.
worth.of.merchandise,.free.of.duty.and.internal.
revenue.tax,.as.gifts.for.other.people..
•. Family.members.may.not.group.their.gift.
exemptions..
•. Do.not.gift-wrap.your.articles.because.they.must.
be.available.for.CBP.examination.and.may.be.
opened.
•. Remember,.all.plant.material.and.food.items.
must.be.declared.whether.they.are.processed.or.
not.
Welcome to the United States
Obtain traveldocumentsbefore leaving your homecountry.Fill out Form I-94or I-94W(forvisitors) and CBP Declaration Formon board the airplane.Arrive in the United Statesand go toinspectionarea.Go to secondaryinspection area, if requested.Pick upbaggage atthe baggagecarousel.Show declaration to CBP officer(baggage may beinspected).Payduty ifapplicable.Proceed throughfinal CBP checkpoint.Depart orconnect to yournextflight.STEPSTEPSTEPAs easy as 1-2-3…WELCOMETO THE U.S.*Theinspectionprocessmayvarybylocation.The CBP Inspection Process*
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Arrival
With. completed. entry. forms. and. travel. documents.
in. hand,. go. to. the. CBP. processing. area. and. select.
the. appropriate. line. (U.S.. Citizen/Resident,. Crew,.
Visitors,.etc.).as.established.at.the.port.of.entry..Please.
do. not. use. cameras. or. cell. phone. cameras. in. the.
CBP. processing. areas.. When. you. get. to. the. primary.
passenger.processing.booth,.a.CBP.officer.will:
•. Review.your.documents.
•. Run.your.passport.through.an.electronic.reader.
•. Scan.your.fingerprints.and.take.a.digital.photograph.
to.verify.your.identity.for.US-VISIT.applicants.
•. Ask.you.questions.regarding.your.trip.
•. Ask.you.if.you.have.anything.to.declare..
If. the.CBP.officer.has.any.concerns.about.your. travel,.
your.documents,.other.concerns.or.if.you.are.selected.
for.random.secondary.processing,.the.CBP.officer.will.
direct. you. to.CBP. Secondary.Area.. The.CBP.officer. at.
initial.passenger.processing.may.also.tell.you.to.retrieve.
your.luggage.and.then.report.to.secondary.for.baggage.
inspection.. In. secondary,. you. may. be. interviewed.
further.to.determine.whether.you.are.admissible.to.the.
United.States..
Baggage Claim
At. the. baggage. claim. carousel,. pick. up. your. baggage.
and.proceed.to.the.CBP.checkpoint.where.a.CBP.officer.
will. review. your. CBP. Declaration,. Form. 6059B,. and.
either. ask. you. additional. questions;. send. you. to. the.
cashier.to.pay.your.duty;.or,.allow.you.to.proceed.out.
of. the. terminal. or. to. your. connecting. flight.. A. CBP.
officer.may.inspect.the.items.you.are.bringing.into.the.
country..For.example,.your.baggage.may.be. reviewed.
for.agricultural.products. that.are.not.allowed.into.the.
country..
Your.CBP.processing.may.include.a.personal.search..If.
so,.there.are.a.few.things.you.need.to.know.
Welcome to the United States
•. You. should. be. treated. in. a. courteous,. professional.
and.dignified.manner.
•. You.may.not.be.searched.on.any.discriminatory.basis.
(e.g.. race,. gender,. religion,. ethnic. background).. A.
search.based.on.consideration.of.citizenship.or.travel.
itinerary. that. includes. a. narcotics. source. or. transit.
country.is.not.discriminatory.
•. You.will.receive.an.explanation.of.the.examination.
process.as.it.occurs..You.will.have.the.opportunity.to.
speak.with.a.CBP.supervisor.
•. Usually,.you.can.request.that.CBP.notify.someone.of.
your.delay.if.you.are.detained.more.than.two.hours.
after.the.personal.search.has.begun.
•. If.you.feel.you.have.not.been.treated.in.a.courteous.
manner,. you. may. request. to. speak. to. a. CBP.
supervisor.
Connecting Flights
Since. CBP. processing. must. be. completed. at. the. first.
port. of. entry,. many. travelers. must. complete. all.
arrival. processing. and. then. immediately. proceed. to.
a. connecting. flight.. When. the. international. arriving.
passenger.completes.the.passenger.processing.and.exits.
the.final.CBP.checkpoint,.major.ports.of.entry.provide.
the. capability. to. immediately. re-check. the. travelers.
luggage,.sending.it.through.the.Transportation.Security.
Administration.(TSA)-required.X-ray.screening.process..
You.will. proceed.directly. to. a.TSA. checkpoint.before.
proceeding.to.the.departure.gate.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Returning Home
Transportation Security Administration
The. Transportation. Security. Administration. (TSA).
is. a. component. of. the. Department. of. Homeland.
Security.and. is. responsible. for. security.of. the.nation's.
transportation.systems.
Following. these. tips. will. help. you. reduce. your. wait.
time.at.the.security.checkpoint:
•. Do. not. pack. or. bring. prohibited. items. to. the.
airport..Learn.about.permitted.and.prohibited.items,.
including.liquids,.gels.and.aerosols,.on.the.TSA.web.
site,.www.tsa.gov..
•. Liquids,.gels. and.aerosols. as. carry-ons.must. follow.
the. 3-1-1. guidelines:. 3-ounce. (100. ml). or. smaller.
containers,. placed. in. a. 1. quart. (1. liter). size,. clear.
zip-top.bag,.1.bag.per.passenger.placed.in.a.plastic.
bin.for.screening.
•. Put. jewelry,. cash,. laptop. computers,. and. other.
valuables. in. your. carry-on. baggage.. Tape. your.
business. card. or. identifying. information. to. your.
laptop..
•. Place. the. following. items. in.your.carry-on.baggage.
or. be. prepared. to. remove. them. as. you. enter. the.
security. checkpoint:. mobile. phones,. keys,. loose.
change,. money. clips,. personal. digital. assistants,.
large. amounts. of. jewelry,. metal. hair. decorations,.
and.large.belt.buckles.
•. Put. all.undeveloped.film.and.cameras.with.film. in.
your. carry-on.baggage..Checked.baggage. screening.
equipment.may.damage.undeveloped.film..
•. Be.aware.of.what.you.wear.to.the.airport:.clothing,.
jewelry. and. accessories. that. contain. metal. may. set.
off.the.alarm.on.the.metal.detector..
•. You.will.need.to. take.your.shoes.off.and.put. them.
through.the.X-ray.machine..
•. If.you.wish.to.lock.your.baggage,.use.a.TSA-recognized.
lock..See.www.tsa.gov.for.more.information..
Welcome to the United States
•. Do.not.pack.wrapped.gifts.and.do.not.bring.wrapped.
gifts.to.the.checkpoint,.as.TSA.may.have.to.unwrap.
packages. for. security. reasons.. Wrap. on. arrival. or.
ship.your.gifts.prior.to.your.departure..
•. Take. your. laptop. and. video. cameras. with. cassettes.
out.of.their.cases.and.place.them.in.a.bin.provided.
at. the.checkpoint. to.go. through. the.X-ray.machine.
separately..
•. Remove.all.outer.coats,.suit.coats,.jackets.and.blazers.
and.place.them.on.the.belt.to.be.X-rayed.
•. Do.not.overstuff.checked.baggage.. If.TSA.screeners.
must. open. your. checked. bag. for. inspection,. they.
must.be.able.to.easily.close.your.bag.afterwards.
At.the.airport,.keep.your.airline.boarding.pass.available.
until. exiting. the. security. checkpoint.. The. absence. of.
proper.identification.will.result.in.additional.screening.
and.delays.
Outbound CBP Inspections
A. CBP. officer. may. select. you. for. an. interview. when.
you. leave. the.United. States.. This. does. not. necessarily.
mean. that. you. are. suspected. of. any. wrongdoing..
CBP. officers. choose. passengers. for. an. interview. for. a.
variety. of. reasons.. In. addition. to. enforcing. currency.
requirements,.CBP.enforces.hundreds.of.laws.for.other.
federal. agencies.. U.S.. Customs. and. Border. Protection.
is. charged. with. ensuring. that. all. goods. and. persons.
leaving.the.United.States.comply.with.all.U.S..laws.and.
regulations..
Don’t.forget.to.turn.in.your.forms.I-94.or.I-94W.before.
you.leave.the.country..Failure.to.do.so.will.cause.you.
to.appear.in.CBP.records.as.an.overstay..Being.identified.
as. an. overstay. means. that. you. may. be. denied. future.
entry. into. the. United. States.. If. you. failed. to. turn. in.
your.forms.I-94.or.I-94W,.please.mail.it,.along.with.any.
documentation.that.proves.you.left.the.United.States,.to:.
ACS.Inc.
1084.South.Laurel.Road.
London,.Kentucky.40744.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Keep.a.copy.of.what.you.send.to.ACS.Inc..and.carry.it.
with.you.the.next.time.you.come.to.the.United.States.
in. case. the. CBP. officer. has. any. questions. about. your.
eligibility.to.enter.
US-VISIT Exit Procedures
Visitors. will. need. to. verify. their. departure. from. the.
United. States. by. using. an. automated. exit. station. or.
kiosk.at.specific.locations..The.US-VISIT.exit.procedures.
involve.collecting.digital.finger.scans.and.a.photograph.
from.departing.international.visitors..Trained.attendants.
are.available.to.provide.assistance.to.visitors.using.the.
US-VISIT.exit.procedures.at.airports.and.seaports.
We.hope.you.have.a.safe.and.pleasant.trip.here..If.you.
prepare.ahead.of.time.and.know.what.to.expect.when.
you. arrive,. you. should. have. a. quick. and. easy. time.
clearing. the. inspection. process.. However,. if. you. are.
not. satisfied,. you. should. know. that. there. are. options.
available.to.you.to.obtain.redress..
For.information.on.US-VISIT.kiosk.locations.please.see.
page.27.
Welcome to the United States
Customer Service
If. you. have. a. concern. or. need. help. understanding.
CBP.regulations.and.procedures,.ask.to.speak.with.the.
passenger.service.representative.or.a.CBP.supervisor..
If. you. have. any. questions. about. CBP. procedures,.
requirements.or.policies.regarding.travelers:
•. Write.to.the:..
Customer.Service.Center..
Office.of.Public.Affairs..
U.S..Customs.and.Border.Protection..
1300.Pennsylvania.Avenue,.NW.
Washington,.DC.20229
•. Call.1.877.CBP.5511.(1.877.227.5511).
•. Log.on.to.CBP's.web.site.at:.www.cbp.gov.
If.you.believe.you.are.the.victim.of.serious.or.criminal.
misconduct. by. a. CBP. officer,. contact. the. Joint. Intake.
Center:
•. Call.1.877.2INTAKE.(1.877.246.8253).
•. Email.to.Joint.Intake@dhs.gov.
•. Fax.202.344.3390.
•. Write.to:..
U.S..Customs.and.Border.Protection..
P.O..Box.14475..
1200.Pennsylvania.Ave.,.NW..
Washington,.DC.20044
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Helpful Tips
Prohibited and Restricted Items
The.products.CBP.needs. to.prevent. from.entering. the.
United. States. are. those. that. would. injure. community.
health,. public. safety,. American. workers,. children,. or.
domestic.plant.and.animal.life..
Before.you.leave.for.your.trip.to.the.United.States,.you.
might. want. to. contact. the. local. CBP. office. about. the.
items.you.plan.to.bring.with.you.to.be.sure.they’re.not.
prohibited.or.restricted..
Absinthe
The. importation. of. absinthe. and. any. other. liquors.
or. liqueurs. that. contain. Artemisia. absinthium. (or.
wormwood.as.it.is.commonly.called).is.prohibited.
Automobiles
Cars. brought. into. the. United. States. temporarily. by.
nonresidents.(for.less.than.one.year).are.exempt.from.
restrictions.. However,. it. is. illegal. to. bring. a. vehicle.
into.the.United.States.and.sell.it.if.it.was.not.formally.
entered.on.a.CBP.Form.7501.
Biologicals
You.may.need.a.U.S..Department.of.Agriculture.permit.
to. import. biological. specimens. including. bacterial.
cultures,.culture.medium,.excretions,.fungi,.arthropods,.
mollusks,.tissues.of.livestock,.birds,.plants,.viruses,.and.
vectors.for.research,.biological.or.pharmaceutical.use..
Cultural Artifacts and Property
Most. countries. have. laws. that. protect. their. cultural.
property:. art/artifacts/antiquities;. archaeological. and.
ethnological.material.are.also.terms.that.are.used..Such.
laws.include.export.controls.and/or.national.ownership.
of.cultural.property..Even.if.purchased.from.a.business.
in. the. country. of. origin. or. in. another. country,. legal.
ownership. of. such. artifacts. may. be. in. question. if.
brought. into. the. United. States.. Therefore,. although.
they. do. not. necessarily. confer. ownership,. you. must.
have. documents. such. as. export. permits. and. receipts.
when. bringing. such. items. into. the. United. States..
While. foreign. laws. may. not. be. enforceable. in. the.
United. States,. they. can. cause. certain. U.S.. laws. to. be.
invoked.. For. example,. under. the. U.S.. National. Stolen.
Welcome to the United States
Property.Act,.one.cannot.have.legal.title.to.art/artifacts/
antiquities. that. were. stolen—no. matter. how. many.
times.such.items.may.have.changed.hands..
As.additional.U.S..import.restrictions.may.be.imposed.
in. response. to. requests. from. other. countries,. we.
recommend. prospective. purchasers. visit. the. State.
Department. cultural. property. web. site. (http://
exchanges.state.gov/culprop/)..
Caviar
You.are.limited.to.bringing.in.no.more.than.250.grams.
of. caviar.. If. you. bring. in. more. than. that,. ALL. of. the.
caviar.will.be.seized.
Cuban Cigars
NO.products.of.Cuba. can.be.brought. into. the.United.
States.. That. includes. Cuban. cigars. that. have. been.
purchased.in.a.country.other.than.Cuba.such.as.Canada.
or.England..
Dog and Cat Fur
It. is. illegal. in. the. United. States. to. import,. export,.
distribute,. transport,. manufacture,. or. sell. products.
containing.dog.or.cat.fur.in.the.United.States..
Drug Paraphernalia
It.is.illegal.to.bring.drug.paraphernalia.into.the.United.
States. unless. they. have. been. prescribed. for. authentic.
medical.conditions.such.as.diabetes..Drug.paraphernalia.
is. any. equipment. or. product. designed. for. use. in.
manufacturing,. compounding,. injecting,. ingesting,.
or. inhaling. a. controlled. substance,. the. possession. of.
which.is.unlawful..
Firearms
The.Bureau.of.Alcohol,.Tobacco,.Firearms.and.Explosives.
(ATF).regulates.and.restricts.firearms.and.ammunition.
and.approves.all.import.transactions.involving.weapons.
and.ammunition..U.S..visitors.(with.a.few.exceptions).
must.obtain.an.import.permit.(ATF.Form.6).from.the.
ATF. to. temporarily. import. firearms. and. ammunition.
for.hunting.or.other.lawful.sporting.purposes.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
0
Fish and Wildlife
Certain. fish. and. wildlife,. and. products. made. from.
them,. are. subject. to. import. and. export. restrictions,.
prohibitions,. permits. or. certificates,. and. quarantine.
requirements..We.recommend.that.you.contact.the.U.S..
Fish.and.Wildlife.Service.before.you.depart.if.you.plan.
to.bring.any.of.the.following.into.the.U.S.:.
•. Wild.birds,.land.or.marine.mammals,.reptiles,.fish,.
shellfish,.mollusks,.or.invertebrates.
•..Any.part.or.product.of.the.above,.such.as.skins,.tusks,.
bone,.feathers,.or.eggs.
•. Products.or.articles.manufactured.from.endangered.
wildlife. or. fish.. Endangered. species,. and. products.
made.from.them,.generally.may.not.be.imported..You.
will.need.a.permit. from.the.U.S..Fish.and.Wildlife.
Service. to. import.virtually. all. types.of. ivory.. Some.
states.have.fish.and.wildlife.laws.and.regulations.that.
are.stricter.than.federal.laws.and.regulations..If.you.
are.traveling.to.such.a.state,.be.aware.that.the.stricter.
state.laws.and.regulations.have.priority..Similarly,.the.
federal. government. does. not. allow. you. to. import.
wild.animals.into.the.United.States.that.were.taken,.
killed,. sold,. possessed,. or. exported. from. another.
country.if.any.of.these.acts.violated.foreign.laws.
Food Products (Prepared)
Many. prepared. foods. are. admissible.. You. may. bring.
bakery.items.and.certain.cheeses.into.the.United.States..
As.a.general.rule,.condiments,.vinegars,.oils,.packaged.
spices,. honey,. coffee. and. tea. are. admissible.. Because.
rice.can.often.harbor.insects,.it.is.best.to.avoid.bringing.
it. into. the. United. States,. particularly. if. it. is. in. loose.
burlap. packaging.. Foods. in. packaging. that. appears.
unsafe.or.contaminated.may.be.refused.entry.
Fruits and Vegetables
It.is.best.not.to.bring.fresh.fruits.or.vegetables.into.the.
United.States...
.
.
Welcome to the United States
Game and Hunting Trophies
If.you.plan.to.import.game.or.a.hunting.trophy,.please.
contact. the. U.S.. Fish. and. Wildlife. Service. before. you.
leave..Contact.information.can.be.found.on.page.26.of.
this.brochure.
Gold
Gold.coins,.medals,. and.bullion,. formerly.prohibited,.
may.be.brought.into.the.United.States..However,.under.
regulations. administered. by. the. Office. of. Foreign.
Assets. Control,. such. items. originating. in. or. brought.
from. Cuba,. Iran,. Iraq,. Libya,. Serbia,. and. Sudan. are.
prohibited.entry..Copies.of.gold.coins.are.prohibited.if.
not.properly.marked.by.country.of.issuance..
Meats, Livestock, and Poultry
You.may.not. import. fresh,.dried,.or.canned.meats.or.
meat. products. from. most. foreign. countries. into. the.
United.States..Also,.you.may.not.import.food.products.
that. have. been. prepared. with. meat.. Commercially.
canned.meat.is.allowed.if.the.CBP.officer.can.determine.
from. the. label. that. the. meat. was. cooked. in. the. can.
after. it. was. sealed. to. make. it. shelf-stable. without.
refrigeration.. The. regulations. on. importing. meat. and.
meat.products.change.frequently.because.they.are.based.
on.disease.outbreaks.in.different.areas.of.the.world.
.
If. you. have. questions. about. whether. particular.
agricultural. products. can. be. brought. into. the. United.
States,.contact.APHIS’.Plant.Protection.and.Quarantine.
(PPQ)..Look.in.the.phone.book.under.“U.S..Department.
of.Agriculture”.for.the.nearest.PPQ.office,.or.contact.the.
central.office.at:.
USDA–APHIS–PPQ
Permit.Unit
4700.River.Road,.Unit.136
Riverdale,.MD.20737
Telephone.301.734.8645.
Fax.301.734.5786.
In. addition,. you. can. visit. their. Web. site. at.
http://www.aphis.usda.gov..
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Medication
Rule. of. thumb:. Bring. only. the. medicines. you. will.
need,. no. more,. no. less.. If. you. need. medicines. that.
contain. potentially. addictive. drugs. or. narcotics. (e.g.,.
some. cough. medicines,. tranquilizers,. sleeping. pills,.
antidepressants,.or.stimulants),.do.the.following:
•. Declare.all.drugs,.medicines,.and.similar.products.to.
the.appropriate.CBP.official.
•. Carry.drugs,.medicines.and.similar.products.in.their.
original.containers.
•. Carry. only. the. quantity. of. such. substances. that.
a. person. with. that. condition. (e.g.,. chronic. pain).
would.normally.carry.for.his/her.personal.use.
Please. note. that. only. medications. that. can. be. legally.
prescribed. in. the. United. States. may. be. imported. for.
personal. use.. Be. aware. that. possession. of. certain.
substances.may.also.violate.state.laws..(As.a.general.rule,.
the.Food.and.Drug.Administration.does.not.allow.the.
importation.of.prescription.drugs.that.were.purchased.
outside. the. United. States.. Please. see. their. Web. site.
at. www.fda.gov. for. information. about. the. enforcement.
policy.for.personal.use.quantities.)
For. specifics. about. importing. controlled. substances,.
call. 301.827.4570. or. toll. free. at. 1.888.INFO. FDA.
(1.888.463.6332).. For. additional. information. about.
traveling.with.medication,.write.to.the.U.S..Food.and.
Drug. Administration,. Division. of. Drug. Information,.
HFD-240,.5600.Fishers.Lane,.Rockville,.MD.20857.
Merchandise from Embargoed Countries
Generally,. you. may. not. bring. in. any. goods. from. the.
following:. Cuba,. Burma. (Myanmar),. Angola,. Libera,.
Sierra.Leone.(diamonds.only),.and.Sudan..The.Office.of.
Foreign.Assets.Control.(OFAC).of.the.U.S..Department.
of.Treasury.enforces.this.ban..If.you.want.to.bring.in.
merchandise.from.any.of.these.countries,.you.will.first.
need.a.specific.license.from.the.Office.of.Foreign.Assets.
Control..Such.licenses.are.rarely.granted..You.can.write.
to. the. Office. of. Foreign. Assets. Control,. Department.
of. the. Treasury,. Washington,. DC. 20220,. or. visit.
Welcome to the United States
their.Web.site.at.www.treas.gov/ofac.
Please note:
•. The.embargo.on.Iranian.goods.has.been.revised.to.
allow. the. importation. of. foodstuffs. intended. for.
human.consumption,.carpets.and.other.textile.floor.
coverings.. You. may. only. bring. in. $100. worth. of.
goods.other.than.carpets,.food.and.books.
•. Only.certain.Iraqi.cultural.property.or.other.items.of.
archaeological,.historical/cultural,.rare.scientific.and.
religious.importance.illegally.removed.from.the.Iraq.
National. Museum,. the. National. Library. and. other.
locations.in.Iraq.is.prohibited..
•. There. is.a.general. lifting.of. the.embargo.on.Serbia.
and.Montenegro.
•. The. importation.of.merchandise. from.North.Korea.
requires.a.letter.of.approval.issued.by.the.OFAC.
You. may,. however,. bring. in. information. and.
informational. materials—books,. magazines,. films,.
posters,.photographs,.microfilms,. tapes,.CDs,.records,.
works. of. art,. etc.. Blank. tapes. and. blank. CDs. are. not.
informational.materials..
Money and Other Monetary Instruments
You.may.bring.into.or.take.out.of.the.country,.including.
by.mail,.as.much.money.as.you.wish..However,.if.it.is.
more.than.$10,000,.you.will.need.to.report.it.to.CBP..
Families. traveling. together. should.declare. currency. if.
the. total. combined. amount. is. over. $10,000.. 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..
Be.aware.that.if.you.have.$10,000.with.you.and.happen.
to.have.a.couple.of.quarters.in.your.pocket.you.are.in.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
violation. of. the. Currency. Reporting. statute.. Better. be.
safe.than.sorry.and.fill.out.the.reporting.form.
Pets
If.you.plan.to.bring.your.pet.to.the.United.States.with.
you,. please. see. the. CBP. brochure. Pets. and. Wildlife.
at. http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/publications/travel/..
(You. should. also. check. with. state,. county,. and.
local. authorities,. especially. Hawaii,. to. learn. if. their.
restrictions. and. prohibitions. on. pets. are. stricter. than.
federal. requirements.). Importing. animals. is. closely.
regulated. for. public. health. reasons. and. also. for. the.
well. being. of. the. animals.. There. are. restrictions.
and. prohibitions. on. bringing. many. species. into. the.
United.States..
Plants and Seeds
Every.plant.or.plant.product,.including.handicraft.items.
made.with. straw,.must.be.declared. to. the.CBP.officer.
and. must. be. presented. for. CBP. inspection,. no. matter.
how.free.of.pests.it.appears.to.be..For.information.write.
to.USDA-APHIS-PPQ,.4700.River.Road,.Riverdale,.MD.
20737;.call.301.734.8645.or.toll.free.at.1.877.770.5990;.
or.visit.the.APHIS.Web.site.at.http://www.aphis.usda.gov/
ppq/permits/plantproducts/index.html.
Soil
Soil. is. prohibited. entry. unless. accompanied. by. an.
import. permit.. Soil. must. be. declared. and. the. permit.
must.be.verified.
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. exemption,. you. may. have. to.
pay. duty. on. the. items.. Personal. shipments,. however,.
may. be. subject. to. limitations. on. amount. if. they. are.
in. quantities. that. might. be. considered. commercial..
Textiles.in.any.amount.can.be.considered.commercial.
Welcome to the United States
Trademarked and Copyrighted Articles
CBP. enforces. laws. relating. to. the. protection. of.
trademarks. and. copyrights.. Articles. that. infringe. a.
federally. registered. trademark. or. copyright. or.
copyright. protected. by. the. Berne. Convention. for.
the. Protection. of. Literary. and. Artistic. Works. are.
subject. to. detention. and/or. seizure.. Articles. bearing.
marks. that. are. counterfeit. or. inappropriately. using. a.
federally. registered. trademark. are. subject. to. seizure.
and. forfeiture.. The. importation. of. articles. intended.
for. sale. or. public. distribution. bearing. counterfeit.
marks. 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.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. and. accessories,. and.
clothing.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Helpful Web sites
Department of Homeland Secuity
http://www.dhs.gov
U.S..Customs.and.Border.Protection.
http://www.cbp.gov
Transportation.Security.Administration.
http://www.tsa.gov
US-VISIT.
http://www.dhs.gov/us-visit
U.S..Customs.and.Immigration.Services.
http://www.uscis.gov
•. I-551,. Permanent. Resident. Card. (“Green. Card”).
http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/services/residency/index.htm
U.S. State Department
•. Passports.
http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html
•. Visas.
http://travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.html
•. Visa.Waiver.Program.
http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/without/without_1990.html
U.S. Department of Agriculture
•. Birds.
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/subjects/animal_health/index.shtml
•. Plants.and.seeds.
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/permits/plantproducts/
index.html
Welcome to the United States
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
•. Permits.
http://www.fws.gov/permits/
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
http://www.fda.gov
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and
Explosives
•. Firearms.
http://www.atf.gov/firearms/index.htm
US-VISIT Locations
Airports
Alaska.
Anchorage.International.Airport.
Fairbanks.International.Airport.
Juneau.International.Airport.
.
Arizona
Phoenix.Sky.Harbor.
International.Airport.
Tucson.International.Airport.
Yuma.International.Airport.
.
California
Fresno-Yosemite.International.Airport.
Los.Angeles.International.Airport.
Metropolitan.Oakland.International.Airport.
Ontario.International.Airport.
Sacramento.International.Airport.
San.Diego.International.Airport.
San.Francisco.International.Airport.
San.Jose.International.Airport..
.
Colorado
Denver.International.Airport..
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Connecticut
Bradley.International.Airport.
.
Delaware
Delaware.Airpark..
.
Florida
Fort.Lauderdale.Executive.Airport.
Fort.Lauderdale.Hollywood.International.Airport.
Key.West.International.Airport.
Jacksonville.International.Airport.
Kendall-Tamiami.Executive.Airport.
Key.West.International.Airport.
Miami.International.Airport.
Opa.Locka.Airport.
Orlando.International.Airport.
Orlando.Sanford.International.Airport.
Palm.Beach.International.Airport.
Sarasota-Bradenton.International.Airport.
Southwest.Florida.International.Airport.
Tampa.International.
St..Lucie.County.International.Airport.
St..Petersburg-Clearwater.International.Airport.
Tampa.International.Airport.
.
Guam.
Guam.International.Airport..
.
Hawaii.
Honolulu.International.Airport.
Kona.International.Airport.at.Keahole..
.
Illinois.
Chicago.Midway.Airport.
Chicago.O’Hare.International.Airport..
.
Indiana
Indianapolis.International.Airport..
.
Louisiana
Louis.Armstrong.New.Orleans.International.Airport..
.
Maine
Bangor.International.Airport.
Portland.International.Airport..
.
Welcome to the United States
Maryland
Andrews.Air.Force.Base.
Baltimore-Washington.International.Airport..
.
Massachusetts
General.Edward.Lawrence.Logan.International.Airport..
.
Michigan
Detroit.Metropolitan.Wayne.County.International.
Airport..
.
Minnesota
Falls.International.Airport.
Minneapolis/St..Paul.International.Airport..
Missouri
Kansas.City.International.Airport.
Lambert-St..Louis.International.Airport..
.
Nevada.
McCarran.International.Airport.
Reno/Tahoe.International.Airport..
.
New Hampshire
Manchester.Airport.
Pease.International.Tradeport.Airport.
New Jersey
Newark.International.Airport.
Teterboro.Airport..
.
New Mexico
Albuquerque.International.Sunport.Airport..
.
New York
Albany.International.Airport.
Buffalo.Niagara.International.Airport.
John.F..Kennedy.International.Airport..
.
North Carolina
Charlotte.Douglas.International.Airport.
Raleigh-Durham.International.Airport.
Wilmington.International.Airport..
.
Ohio
Cincinnati/Northern.Kentucky.International.Airport.
Cleveland.Hopkins.International.Airport.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
0
Griffing.Sandusky.Airport.
Port.Columbus.International.Airport.
Rickenbacker.International.Airport.
.
Oregon
Portland.International.Airport..
.
Pennsylvania
Erie.International.Airport.
Philadelphia.International.Airport.
Pittsburgh.International.Airport..
.
Puerto Rico
Diego.Jiménez.TorresAirport.
Eugenio.Maria.de.Hostos.Airport.
Isla.Grande.Airport.
Luis.Muñoz.Marin.International.Airport.
Mercedita.Airport.
Rafael.Hernandez.Airport.
.
Rhode Island
Theodore.Francis.Green.State.Airport..
.
South Carolina
Charleston.International.Airport.
Donaldson.Center.Airport..
.
Tennessee.
Memphis.International.Airport.
Nashville.International.Airport..
.
Texas.
Austin-Bergstrom.International.Airport.
Brownsville/South.Padre.Island.International.Airport.
Dallas/Fort.Worth.International.Airport.
Del.Rio.International.Airport.
El.Paso.International.Airport.
George.Bush.Intercontinental/Houston.Airport.
Laredo.International.Airport..
and.Laredo.Private.Airport.
McAllen.Miller.International.Airport.
San.Antonio.International.Airport..
.
Utah.
Salt.Lake.City.International.Airport..
.
Welcome to the United States
Virginia
Norfolk.International.Airport.
Richmond.International.Airport.
Washington.Dulles.International.Airport.
.
Virgin Islands
Cyril.E..King.Airport.
Henry.E..Rohlsen.International.Airport..
.
Washington
Bellingham.International.Airport.
Kenmore.Air.Harbor.
King.County.International.Airport.
Seattle-Tacoma.International.Airport.
Spokane.International.Airport..
.
Wisconsin.
General.Mitchell.International.Airport.
Non-U.S. Airports (US-VISIT Locations)
Aruba.
Aeropuerto.Internacional.Reina.Beatrix..
.
Bahamas
Freeport.International.Airport.
Nassau.International.Airport..
.
Bermuda.
Bermuda.International.Airport..
.
Ireland.
Dublin.International.Airport.
Shannon.International.Airport..
.
Canada.
Calgary.International.Airport.
Edmonton.International.Airport.
Halifax.International.Airport.
Montreal-Pierre-Elliott-Trudeau.International.Airport.
Ottawa.International.Airport.
Toronto.Lester.B.Pearson.International.Airport.
Vancouver.International.Airport.
Victoria.International.Airport.
Winnipeg.International.Airport.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Seaports (US-VISIT Locations)
California
Long.Beach.Carnival.Cruise.
San.Pedro.World.Cruise.Center..
.
Florida
Jacksonville.
Miami,.RCI.
Port.Canaveral.
Port.Everglades.
Tampa,.Terminal.3.
Tampa,.Terminal.7.
West.Palm.Seaport..
.
Louisiana
Erato.Street.Cruise.Terminal..
.
New York
New.York.City.Cruise.Terminal..
.
Puerto Rico
San.Juan.Pan-American..
.
Texas.
Galveston.RCI..
.
Washington
Seattle.Seaport.
Seattle,.Birth.30,.Cruise.Terminal..
.
Canada
Vancouver,.Ballantyne.Pier.
Vancouver,.Canada.Place.
Victoria,.Pre.Inspection..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Welcome to the United States
Land Border Ports (US-VISIT Locations)
Alaska
Alcan.
Dalton's.Cache.
Skagway.
.
Arizona
Douglas.
Lukeville.
Nogales.East,.Nogales.
Nogales.West,.Nogales.
San.Luis.
Sasabe.
Morley.Gate,.Nogales.
Naco.
.
California
Andrade.
Calexico.East-Imperial.Valley,.Calexico.
Calexico.West,.Calexico
Otay.Mesa,.San.Diego.
San.Ysidro,.San.Diego.
Tecate..
.
Maine.
Bar.Harbor.Ferry,.Bar.Harbor.
Bridgewater.
Calais-Ferry.Point.Bridge,.Calais.
Coburn.Gore.
Eastport.
Fort.Fairfield.
Fort.Kent.
Hamlin.
Houlton.
Jackman.
Limestone.
Lubec.
Madawaska.
Van.Buren.
Vanceboro.
.
Michigan.
Detroit.Ambassador.Bridge,.Detroit.
Detroit-Windsor.Tunnel,.Detroit.
Port.Huron.–.Blue.Water.Bridge,.Port.Huron.
Sault.Ste..Marie.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Algonac.Ferry,.Algonac.
Marine.City.Ferry,.Marine.City..
.
Minnesota
Baudette.
Ely.
Grand.Portage.
International.Falls.
Lancaster.
Roseau.
Warroad..
.
Montana
Chief.Mountain.
Del.Bonita.
Morgan,.Loring.
Opheim.
Piegan,.Babb.
Raymond.
Roosville.
Scobey.
Sweetgrass.
Turner.
Willow.Creek,.Turner.
Wild.Horse,.Havre.
Whitetail..
.
New Hampshire
Pittsburg..
.
New Mexico
Antelope.Wells.
Columbus.
Santa.Teresa.
.
New York
Cape.Vincent.Ferry,.Cape.Vincent.
Champlain.Amtrak.Station,.Champlain.
Champlain.
Chateaugay.
Fort.Covington.
Heart.Island.Ferry,.Alexandria.Bay.
Massena,.Rooseveltown.
Mooers.
Niagara.(Lewiston-Queenston,.Whirlpool.and.
Rainbow.Bridges).
Welcome to the United States
Niagara.Falls.Amtrak.Station,.Niagara.Falls.
Ogdensburg.
Overton.Corners,.Champlain.
Peace.Bridge,.Buffalo.
Rochester.Ferry,.Rochester.
Rouses.Point.
Thousand.Islands.Bridge,.Alexandria.Bay.
Trout.River..
.
Texas.
Amistad.Dam,.Amistad.Village.
Bridge.of.the.Americas/Cordova.Bridge,.El.Paso.
Brownsville/Matamoros.Bridge,.Brownsville.
Columbia.Solidarity.Bridge,.Laredo.
Convent.Street.(or.Gateway.to.the.Americas.
International.Bridge),.Laredo.
Del.Rio.International.Bridge,.Del.Rio.
Eagle.Pass.Bridge.I,.Eagle.Pass.
Eagle.Pass.Bridge.II,.Eagle.Pass.
Fabens.
Fort.Hancock.
Gateway.International.Bridge,.Brownsville.
Hidalgo,.McAllen.
Lincoln-Juarez.Bridge,.Laredo.
Los.Indios.
Los.Tomates/Veterans.International.Bridge,.Brownsville.
Paso.del.Norte.Bridge,.El.Paso.
Pharr.
Presidio.
Progreso.
Rio.Grande.City.
Roma.
World.Trade.Bridge,.Laredo.
Ysleta-Zaragoza.Bridge,.El.Paso..
.
Vermont.
Alburg.Springs.
Alburg.
Beebe.Plain.
Beecher.Falls.
Canaan.
Derby.Line.
East.Richford.
Highgate.Springs.
Morses.Line.
North.Troy.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Norton.
Richford.
Richford/Pinnacle,.Richford.
West.Berkshire..
.
Washington.
Blaine-Pacific.Highway,.Blaine.
Blaine-Peace.Arch,.Blaine.
Boundary.
Danville.
Ferry.
Frontier.
Laurier.
Lynden.
Metaline.Falls.
Nighthawk.
Oroville.
Point.Roberts.
Sumas..
.
Canada
Vancouver.Amtrak.Station,.Vancouver.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Welcome to the United States
NEXUS Locations
. Land Border Ports
British Columbia, Washington
.
•. Pacific.Highway,.Blaine.
.
•. Douglas,.Peace.Arch.
.
•. Boundary.Bay,.Point.Roberts.
Southern Ontario, Michigan, New York
.
•. The.Bluewater.Bridge.in.Sarnia,.Port.Huron.
.
•. The.Ambassador.Bridge.in.Windsor,.Detroit.
.
•. The.Peace.Bridge.in.Fort.Erie,.Buffalo.
.
•. The.International.Tunnel.in.Windsor,.Detroit.
.
•. The.Rainbow.Bridge.in.Niagara.Falls,..
.
.
Ontario,.Niagara.Falls,.New.York.
.
•. The.Whirlpool.Bridge.in.Niagara.Falls,..
.
.
Ontario,.Niagara.Falls,.New.York.
Quebec, New York, Vermont
.
•. Lacolle,.Quebec,.Champlain,.New.York.
.
•.
St..Armand-Philipsburg,.Quebec,.Highgate.. .
.
Springs,.Vermont.
Marine (NEXUS Locations)
.
•. Report.by.telephone.in.the.Seattle.&.Great..
.
.
Lakes.regions.
. For.local.reporting.telephone.numbers.please.see.
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/pleasure_boats
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Airport (NEXUS Locations)
.
•. Vancouver.International.Airport
.
•. Toronto.Pearson.International.Airport
.
•. Montréal-Pierre.Elliott.Trudeau.International..
.
Airport
NEXUS Airport Locations Coming Soon:
.
•. Ottawa.Macdonald-Cartier.
.
International.Airport.
.
•. Edmonton.International.Airport.
.
•. Calgary.International.Airport.
.
•. Winnipeg.International.Airport.
.
•. Halifax.International.Airport.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Washington, D.C. 20229
To report suspicious activity call
1-800 BE ALERT
CBP Publication 0000-0146
March 2007
Welcome
to the
United States
A Guide for International
Visitors