Narcotics and dangerous drugs are prohibited entry. There are severe civil and/or criminal penalties if imported. Concerta and Ritalin are approved medicines. Declare all medications to Customs when entering the United States.
A traveler requiring prescribed medicines (e.g. cough medicine, diuretics, heart drugs, tranquilizers, sleeping pills, antidepressants, stimulants, diabetes medication etc.) should:
Medication can be sent by post if the prescription or doctor's letter is included. A notation should be placed on the outside of the parcel stating, for example, "DOCTOR'S LETTER ATTACHED."
Not all medicines are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or allowed into the United States.
More information, including a list of approved medicines, can be found in the FDA Orange Book.
3. Food and Agricultural Products
Declare all agricultural products when entering the U.S.
4. Pets
Always check with your airline before departure.
Cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to man when examined at the port of entry. If the animal is not in apparent good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at the owner's expense.
Dogs must be free of evidence of diseases communicable to man and must be vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days prior to arrival. (This requirement does not apply to puppies less than three months of age; puppies up to three months must be confined at the owner's expense, then immunized and confined for an additional 30 days.)
A valid rabies vaccination certificate must accompany the animal. This certificate should identify the animal, the dates of vaccination and expiration, and bear the signature of a licensed veterinarian. If no expiration date is specified, the certificate is acceptable if the date of vaccination is no more than 12 months prior to arrival in the United States. At the same time, pick up a "gezondheidsverklaring" from your veterinarian.
U.S. Customs has published a useful brochure called "Pets and Wildlife, Licensing and Health Requirements."
Different rules may apply to Hawaii and Guam, see http://www.hawaiiag.org/
Further information on importing pets can be found at:
U.S. Department of Agriculture - Animal Welfare
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dq/animal/index.htm
5. My child got his/her own passport a couple of years ago, when he/she was a baby. Now he/she looks completely different. Do we need to apply for a new passport even though it is still valid?
Dutch (and also American) passports are valid for five years and do not become invalid just because the passport holder grows older. So, no, a new passport is not required.
6. Money
There is no limit on the total amount of monetary instruments (U.S. or foreign coin, travelers check, money orders and securities etc.), that may be brought into or taken out of the United States.
However, if you transport or cause to be transported (including by mail or other means), more than $10,000 in monetary instruments on any occasion into or out of the United States, or if you receive more than that amount, you must file FinCen Form 105 (formerly Customs Form 4790) with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
You can legally transport ashes of a deceased person into the U.S., if you meet the following conditions:
The urn can be subject to inspection, and it is recommended to come early to the airport.
8. Suitcases
Suitcases should be transported unlocked. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) opens suitcases at random. Possible costs of breaking open the suitcases are for the owner. Suitcases with approved locks may be locked. There is a list of approved locks on the TSA website: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/locks.shtm
Schiphol Airport has a special website regarding luggage & hand-luggage.
9. Fireams and Ammunition
It is prohibited for nonimmigrant aliens to import firearms and ammunition.
However, if your travel to the U.S. is primarily for the purpose of hunting or lawful sporting activities, your firearms and ammunition may be brought into the United States provided you take the firearms and any remaining unfired ammunition out of the United States when you depart.
For complete information and to obtain the necessary permits to import firearms, contact the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Department of the Treasury, Firearms and Explosives Import Branch.
10. Tax Return: can I get a refund of the tax paid on merchandise and services purchased in the United States?
The United States does not have a VAT. Sales taxes in the Unites States are assessed and collected by various State and local authorities, not by the Federal Government. Only the State of Louisiana has any provisions to refund the sales tax to visiting tourists and business travelers. Therefore, unless purchases were made in Louisiana, no sales tax refund is possible.
11. What is the duty-free allowance for sending gifts?
Gifts Sent By Mail
Persons in the U.S. may receive, free of duty, a gift mailed from a foreign country if the shipment does not exceed $100 based upon its retail value, You may send as many gifts as you wish, but the U.S. addressee will be required to pay duty if the gift parcels received in one day total more than $100. Gifts that exceed these amounts will be subject to customs duty based on the entire value. There is no $100 deduction.
Packages should be marked with the following clearly written on the outside wrapping:
Gifts intended for more than one person may be consolidated in the same package provided they are individually wrapped and labeled with the name of the recipient.
Be sure that the outer wrapping of the package is marked:
This will facilitate Customs clearance of your package.
12. Motor Vehicles
You may temporarily import an automobile, trailer, airplane, motorcycle, boat, or similar vehicle for the transportation of yourself, your family, and your guests.
Motor vehicles and motor vehicles equipment for personal use may be imported for a period of one year or less. The vehicle must be imported in connection with your arrival and be owned by you or on order prior to your departure.
A vehicle not complying with all applicable Federal laws (Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Transportation (DOT)) cannot be sold in the United States. More...
13. Prohibited Items
Some items, which are permitted in the Netherlands, are not allowed in the U.S. and will be confiscated by Customs. Such items include ivory ornaments, sealskin and certain other coats, certain exotic animals, tortoiseshell and feathers. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection has a list of Prohibited and Restricted Items on their website.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection has a special complaints page on its website.
A U.S. Customs officer assists a visitor to the U.S. at San Francisco Airport. (AP Images)
Dept. of Homeland Security Customs and Border Protection
Frankfurt, Germany
Tel: 0049 69 7535-3876
Fax: 0049 69 7535-3780
Monday - Friday, 9am - 12 noon, 1pm - 6pm
Closed on American and German holidays
More Customs offices can be found at:
- U.S. Customs Ports of Entry
