So, I'm flying back to the US in two days after a three-month study abroad program in Chile. I don't fly much, and want to make sure I don't screw anything up when it comes to declaring.
So, here's what I've got. I need to declare the following things:
1. Things I bought here in Chile.
2. Currency of any sort I acquired while in Chile.
3. And, in general, anything I have now that I didn't have when I left the US.
So this would include the carved wooden ducks I got at the market, my pesos, and the stuff from the care package my family sent me. I don't need to declare anything I brought with me, though, such as my laptop or my iPod.
Is there anything I'm missing? Will they want me to even declare fairly low-value stuff, like letters or $4 earbuds?
Oh, and will I be declaring when I leave Chile, or when I arrive on the other side?
Typically a flight attendant will hand you a blue form to fill out while you are on the plane. You put down your name, address, flight number, destination, etc. on the form, and then declare whatever you bring back. The main thing is that as long as you have a small amount of goods (I *think* $800 worth), you don't have to pay duty on it. As long as you only have a small amount of currency you don't have to declare it. What they don't want you doing is coming back with thousands of dollars worth of currency or goods without paying taxes on them.
So, I have to declare everything, even the worthless stuff, but it shouldn't cost me anything unless they notice the huge stash of [redacted by the Searcher] I hid in the suitcase's secret compartment?
To clarify, my main question is this: Do I have to declare literally everything I bring on the plane, like letters and pencils and coins and floss and old bus tickets (yeah, I'm trying to save those)? Or will they only really care about the stuff that's worth something?
I know it's probably a dumb question. That's 'cause it's me asking. ;D
Well, they asked me at the Texas airport about what I was bringing in. I started my declarations with "some carved birds" and they kind of freaked out about the wood. They send me off to a guy who asked me if they were pretty finished. I said "yes". They sent me off and didn't ask for anything else. I'm now back in Oregon without incident.
So, I guess I didn't need to declare anything, but thanks anyways, guys. Good to be home. XD
Well, they asked me at the Texas airport about what I was bringing in. I started my declarations with "some carved birds" and they kind of freaked out about the wood. They send me off to a guy who asked me if they were pretty finished. I said "yes". They sent me off and didn't ask for anything else. I'm now back in Oregon without incident.
So, I guess I didn't need to declare anything, but thanks anyways, guys. Good to be home. XD
Imported wood, particularly unfinished/unvarnished wood, can carry insects. That's how several tree killing beetle species have gotten into the u.s.
Glad it was pretty painless.
Oh, yeah, I figured that was why they were worrying. :P
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I went into Canada a few months back and visited a beach while camping. I collected some beach stones like I do every year and at the end of my trip, chucked them on the passenger floor of my car. I later arrived at customs and was asked if I had brought anything back with me. I had the lack of foresight to respond, "Just some rocks."
2 hours later and I still couldn't sit comfortably when I was finally on the road again.
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I went into Canada a few months back and visited a beach while camping. I collected some beach stones like I do every year and at the end of my trip, chucked them on the passenger floor of my car. I later arrived at customs and was asked if I had brought anything back with me. I had the lack of foresight to respond, "Just some rocks."
2 hours later and I still couldn't sit comfortably when I was finally on the road again.
Wonder if you had said stones instead of rocks if it would have had a different result.
Wonder if you had said stones instead of rocks if it would have had a different result.I went into Canada a few months back and visited a beach while camping. I collected some beach stones like I do every year and at the end of my trip, chucked them on the passenger floor of my car. I later arrived at customs and was asked if I had brought anything back with me. I had the lack of foresight to respond, "Just some rocks."
2 hours later and I still couldn't sit comfortably when I was finally on the road again.
Considering that "rocks" is drug slang, while "stones" isn't, it might have made a difference.