Know Before You Go – Travel Checklist

May 26, 2019 News

Immigration News For Our Community

By Attorney Gail Seeram

As the summer season is here, many of you will be traveling internationally to be with friends and family. Dealing with immigration and customs can be a stressful experience, but we will offer you some travel tips to make your experience less burdensome.

1. Have all the required travel documents for the countries you’re visiting (such as a visa), as well as identification for entry, such as a passport and green card (where applicable). Bring all prior passports with you in case immigration wants to inspect prior trips.
2. Declare everything you are bringing in from abroad, even if you bought it in a duty-free shop. This merchandise is also subject to U.S. duty fees and other restrictions.
3. Be cautious when buying something from a street vendor. Keep in mind that the merchandise may be counterfeit and/or unsafe and you may have to surrender it to U.S. Customs and Border Protection when you get home.
4. Know that things bought abroad for personal use or as gifts are eligible for duty exemptions. If you are bringing them back for resale, they’re not.
5. Know the difference between prohibited merchandise (such as ivory, tortoise shell products, absinthe, and counterfeit items) and restricted merchandise.
6. Be aware that many foreign-made medications are not FDA-approved, and you cannot bring them into the U.S. Also, when traveling abroad, bring only the amount of medication you’ll need during the trip.
7. Don’t bring any Cuban-made products into the U.S., no matter where you purchased them.
8. Don’t bring any food into the U.S. without first checking to see if it is permitted. Also, any and all live birds and bird products, whether for personal or commercial use, may be restricted and/or quarantined. Understand that CBP officers can inspect you and your belongings without a warrant. This may include your luggage, vehicle, and personal searches, and is meant to enforce laws as well as protect legitimate travelers.
9. Bring a notarized travel permission letters for minors traveling without their parents.
10. Bring appraisals or receipts if traveling with a lot of new jewelry.
11. Bring a valid driver’s license. For information regarding an International Driving Permit, contact the American Automobile Association.
12. Bring an envelope to put all the receipts for your purchases – This will make filling out the CBP declaration easier.
13. Bring only the medication that you need for your trip and in its original container.
14. Bring receipts or registration paperwork (CBP Form 4457) for any new electronics, such as a camera or laptop that you have in your possession.

Attorney Gail Seeram, LL.M., J.D., BBA
call | text | whatsApp 407-292-7730
email: Gail@GailLaw.com
live chat: www.GailLaw.com
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Copyright © Law Offices of Gail S. Seeram, 2019. All Rights Reserved.

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