DESTINATION U.S.A.
Whether you are returning to the United States of America, or going there for the first time, there will inevitably be questions that you would like answered prior to your move.
The following guide will hopefully provide you with the information you need for importing household goods and personal effects. This includes sections on prohibited or restricted items, alcoholic beverages, firearms, automobiles, and household pets. In addition we have compiled a step by step guide on how to complete your U.S. Customs Form 3299, which is required for all household and personal effects shipments imported into the U.S.A.
You should note the additional charges may be incurred if you import prohibited or restricted items. These charges, along with taxes and duties, are not included in our quotation.
If you have any questions regarding your move, please feel free to phone your contact at Euro Movers.
HOUSEHOLD & PERSONAL EFFECTS
You should bear in mind when making your travel arrangements that generally household goods and personal effects shipments can only be Customs cleared once you have physically arrived in the U.S.A. The regulations on duty free entry depend not on citizenship, but whether you are a returning resident of the U.S., or a non-resident.
A NON-RESIDENT is classed as: Those who are entering the U.S. for residency (either temporary or permanently) for the first time, or a former U.S. resident who has resided abroad for a period of not less than three years.
If you are a non-resident, both household and personal effects owned and used for over one year are duty free. Household and personal effects owned and used for less than one year are subject to duty.
A RETURNING RESIDENT is classed as: Those, regardless of citizenship, who have resided in the U.S. previously, left the U.S. for a temporary residence abroad, have been out of the U.S. for less than three years, and are now returning to resume residence in the U.S.A.
If you are a resident, household effects owned and used for over one year are duty free. Household effects owned for less than one year are subject to duty, and all personal effects purchased overseas during your residency outside the U.S. are subject to duty.
Whether you are a Non-Resident, the documents required for Customs clearance of household and personal effects shipments are:
U.S. Customs Form 3299 (attached), Supplemental Declaration (attached), and original ocean bill of lading or air waybill (supplied by Euro Movers). If your shipment is entering the U.S. via any port of entry in the state of New York (sea port or airport), we will also require a copy of the householder's passport, showing all personal details and visa stamps, plus any separate visa document you may have been issued with.
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
Regulations regarding the importation of alcohol into the U.S. vary from state to state, and may be subject to change without notice. Many ports, particularly in the South, prohibit importation altogether. We therefore suggest that you consider carefully whether you wish to include alcoholic beverages in your shipment, possibly thereby incurring lengthy delays and intensive examination.
If you do choose to import any alcohol, an itemised list including the type, quantity and alcoholic content must be provided to us in advance for Customs clearance in the U.S.. Your surveyor will be able to provide you with more detailed information on the regulations in each state. In any event we would encourage you to contact the appropriate state's Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms well in advance of your move in order to obtain a permit should this be necessary.
AUTOMOBILES
All vehicles imported into the United States must comply with the emission requirements as stated in the Clean Air Act. United States emission requirements must be met on all gasoline fuelled cars manufactured after 1967, and on all diesel fuelled cars manufactured after 1975. Vehicles manufactured outside America must therefore be brought up to U.S. standards before being imported, and must display a sticker of conformity.
Importing a vehicle that does not meet U.S. emission requirements can be expensive and inconvenient. You may be confronted with fines and assessments by the federal government. Consequently we recommend that you only import automobiles that are certified and labelled by the manufacturer for sale in the U.S. For the most recent information, please contact the Import E.P.A. Division of the Department of Transportation on (202) 260 2504, or the Department of Transportation on (202) 366 5313 (always make a note of the extension number and person that you speak to). Should you be exporting a vehicle to the U.S. that you had previously owned and driven in the States, please supply Euro Movers with any documentation relating to the export of the vehicle from the U.S., as well as a certification signed by yourself that the vehicle has only been driven on unleaded fuel.
MONEY
As much money as required may be taken into the U.S. However, US $10,000 or equivalent must be declared to Customs upon entry. If your bank if transferring you funds, they will take care of the declaration, which is purely for tracking purposes and no duty is charged.
DOMESTIC PETS
Pets can generally be imported into the United States on condition that they have a current health certificate from a vet, issued not more than 30 days prior to departure. Dogs that have been in the U.K. for a least six months prior to entering the U.S., or puppies less than three months old, born in the U.K. that do not meet the six/three month rule must be vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days prior to entry into the U.S. Euro Movers will be pleased to arrange for kennelling and transportation of any family pet through a specialist company.
FIREARMS
The importation of firearms and ammunition into the U.S. is restricted and can be complicated. As with alcohol, each state governs its own regulations, and U.S. Customs authorities will not allow firearms to move beyond the port of entry if they are destined to a state that prohibits the possession or importation of firearms. You should therefore contact the applicable state's Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms to determine whether firearms are permitted and what are the current regulations.
IVORY
Effective 18 January 1990, articles containing ivory are not admissible into the U.S., with the following exceptions:
- Personal effects containing ivory belonging to Residents, as long as they can prove that they possessed the articles prior to their departure from the U.S.
- Antiques may be exempt from the ban, providing a CITES permit is issued by the exporting country, that the owner has proof that the article is a least 100 years old, and that it has not been repaired or modified in any way with ivory on or after 4 February 1977.
PROHIBITED & RESTRICTED ITEMS
* Food items that are not canned or dried. Milk products, whether fresh or otherwise, are prohibited. * Pornographic materials, * Fireworks and explosives, * Narcotics and dangerous drugs (or any medicines without a doctor's prescription), * Iranian carpets/rugs that were purchased after October 21 1987. If purchased prior to this date, proof of purchase (i.e. receipts) must be shown. * Duvets containing feathers from protected bird species. * Switchblade knives.