What are the customs allowances for entering the US?
Travelers entering the US must declare goods above set value limits, certain cash amounts, and specific items such as food and agricultural products, following rules published by Customs and Border Protection. Allowances vary by category of goods and by whether items are for personal use or gifts.
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How it works
A customs declaration is submitted on arrival, either digitally or on paper, listing goods brought into the country. Items exceeding personal allowances may be subject to duty, and prohibited or restricted items can be seized regardless of value.
Commonly mixed up with
Duty-free shopping abroad is sometimes assumed to remove any US declaration requirement. Duty-free purchases still count toward personal allowances and must be declared if limits are exceeded.
What are the customs allowances for entering the US?
| Knowledge, New York | Legal, visa and entry |
|---|---|
| Short answer | Travelers entering the US must declare goods above set value limits, certain cash amounts, and specific items such as food and agricultural products, following rules published by Customs and Border Protection. Allowances vary by category of goods and by whether items are for personal use or gifts. |
| How it works | A customs declaration is submitted on arrival, either digitally or on paper, listing goods brought into the country. Items exceeding personal allowances may be subject to duty, and prohibited or restricted items can be seized regardless of value. |
| Commonly mixed up with | Duty-free shopping abroad is sometimes assumed to remove any US declaration requirement. Duty-free purchases still count toward personal allowances and must be declared if limits are exceeded. |
| Last reviewed | 2026-08-08 |
Short questions
- Is there a cash reporting requirement?
- Amounts above a set threshold must be reported to CBP on arrival.
- Can I bring food into the US?
- Many food and agricultural products are restricted or prohibited and must be declared.
- What happens if I do not declare?
- Failure to declare required items can result in penalties or seizure.
- Do allowances apply per traveler or per family?
- Allowance rules specify how they apply, and this varies by category.
- Where are the current limits?
- CBP publishes current declaration thresholds and allowance rules.
Sources
More in this track
- What is the difference between ESTA and a visa?
- What are the main categories of US visas?
- What counts as work authorization in the United States?
- What happens at entry inspection when arriving in the US?
- Can you drive in New York on a foreign driver's license?
- What is the difference between a New York State ID and a driver's license?
- Who is eligible for the Visa Waiver Program?
- Can you change visa status while already in the United States?
- What is the difference between a green card and a nonimmigrant visa?
These pages explain how the rules work and link the authority that owns them. They are not legal, tax or immigration advice, and amounts and thresholds change, so open the source before you act.
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