Customs form on move
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 8
Customs form on move
Hi folks,
We have booked our flights to enter the US on a H1B (and H4) visa. When we arrive we will have some personal possessions with us (laptops, phones, clothes, engagement/wedding rings etc). Do we need to declare the value of these items as remaining in the US? It’s slightly confusing because it’s a temporary non-resident visa, but we will obviously be there for a while.
I don’t expect to pay import duty on the goods since they are our personal possessions being moved.
Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
We have booked our flights to enter the US on a H1B (and H4) visa. When we arrive we will have some personal possessions with us (laptops, phones, clothes, engagement/wedding rings etc). Do we need to declare the value of these items as remaining in the US? It’s slightly confusing because it’s a temporary non-resident visa, but we will obviously be there for a while.
I don’t expect to pay import duty on the goods since they are our personal possessions being moved.
Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
#2
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: May 2010
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 9,652
Re: Customs form on move
No, these are your personal possessions and so do not need to be declared.
#3
Re: Customs form on move
So long as your things aren't obviously brand new, you'll be fine. IIRC you are supposed to have owned things for 12 months to escape duty, but in practice it is impossible to tell in most cases exactly how long you owned something.
#4
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 8
Re: Customs form on move
Thanks both. Even though they will be exempt as personal effect, is it still not correct to declare the value on the 6059b?
#5
Re: Customs form on move
Don't worry about it, this is one situation where it really isn't a bid deal. Why declare something that you know to be except and cause a big stink? US Immigration is stressful enough...
#6
Re: Customs form on move
You would only declare something on which duty would potentially be chargeable, say you had a very new watch, otherwise everything you are carrying is not dutiable and therefore not declarable, any more than stuff you take with you on holiday and bring back again would be declarable. .... For all intents and purposes you should have nothing to declare on a 6059b.
#7
UK->US
Joined: May 2017
Location: SE TX
Posts: 64
Re: Customs form on move
Sorry to slightly hijack the thread, but does this same policy apply when shipping items?
We have a few boxes of books (all >12 months old, personal possessions) and we're not quite sure what potential customs or entrance fees we may be charged.
We have a few boxes of books (all >12 months old, personal possessions) and we're not quite sure what potential customs or entrance fees we may be charged.
#8
Re: Customs form on move
Our things were shipped in my wife's name as she was a USC, and, at the time, I wasn't, and the shipping agent that received our things in the US had dubbed her "the lady with the liquor" when they saw that the shipment included 40 bottles of scotch and a similar number of bottles of sundry other spirits.
Last edited by Pulaski; Oct 18th 2017 at 8:59 pm.
#9
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2008
Location: Rural Virginia
Posts: 1,076
Re: Customs form on move
You would only declare something on which duty would potentially be chargeable, say you had a very new watch, otherwise everything you are carrying is not dutiable and therefore not declarable, any more than stuff you take with you on holiday and bring back again would be declarable. .... For all intents and purposes you should have nothing to declare on a 6059b.
With watches just wear it and say nothing they are a pain to import. If it is newish post the box and papers separately. A friend bought a Cartier in the Caymans wore the watch and had the box in her luggage and was snagged and minced by customs.