The United States has a complex system of laws and regulations that apply to a wide range of activities and industries. Some of the main federal agencies that are responsible for enforcing regulations and overseeing compliance include the:
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): The EPA is responsible for protecting human health and the environment by regulating activities that may have an impact on air, water, and soil quality.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA): The FDA regulates the safety and effectiveness of drugs, medical devices, and other products that are related to human health.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): OSHA is responsible for ensuring the safety and health of workers in the United States by setting and enforcing standards for workplace conditions.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB): The CFPB is responsible for protecting consumers from predatory and deceptive financial practices, such as fraud and abuse in the credit, banking, and lending industries.
Federal Trade Commission (FTC): The FTC is responsible for protecting consumers from deceptive and unfair business practices, such as false advertising and anti-competitive behavior.
These are just a few examples of the many federal agencies that regulate various aspects of business and commerce in the United States. In addition to these agencies, there are also state and local laws and regulations that may apply to specific industries or activities. It is important for businesses to be aware of and comply with all applicable laws and regulations in order to operate legally and ethically.
USED HOUSEHOLD GOODS AND PERSONAL EFFECTS
REQUIRED
Copy of Passport (some ports require passports for all family members listed on the 3299)
Form CF-3299 – declaration for free entry of unaccompanied articles (if applicable)
Copy of visa (if non-US citizen / permanent resident) / copy of permanent resident card
I-94 stamp / card
A-1 visa (diplomats)
Form DS-1504 (diplomats)
CBP form 7501 – Customs entry summary
Form CF-6059B – Customs declaration
Copy of bill of lading (OBL) / air waybill (AWB)
Detailed inventory in English
Importers Security Filing (ISF)
Food questionnaire
Permit C – household goods permit (if importing alcohol) (Hawaii)
Supplemental declaration (required by most ports) (Hawaii)
SPECIFIC INFORMATION
All shipments are subject to examination at the discretion of Customs officials.
Do not indicate “packed by owner” (PBO) or miscellaneous descriptions on the detailed inventory.
The I-94 is an arrival stamp / card in the passport of all foreigners that indicates the length of time they have been admitted into the USA (some ports require a copy of the card).
All foreign diplomats (A-1 visa types) are required to be processed via the Department of State on a DS-1504 form, which is submitted to the Department of State by the consulate / embassy of the diplomat at least 10 days prior to arrival of the shipment.
Brokers are not allowed to clear Customs on CF-3299 entries for foreign diplomats holding an A-1 visa.
For duty-free clearance, the household goods must have been used at least 12 months in the foreign household prior to shipment from the origin country.
The owner of the goods must hold the proper long-term visa (non-B1 / B2 visitor’s visa) to import household goods duty free.
The owner of the goods can only import personal effects, e.g., clothing, camping gear, toiletries, etc. on a short-term visitor’s visa.
It is important for agents in the origin country to make sure the ISF is timely filed prior to the sailing of the vessel from the last foreign port for all ocean shipments to avoid penalties.
Customs and other government agencies can require a variety of different types of examinations that result in costs from USD $200-$1700 or more on a full container load (FCL) shipment.
Most household items used less than 12 months will require duty to be paid.
It is important for the owner of the goods to list those items in detail on the back side of the Customs Form 3299.
The owner of the goods should list the item, quantity, what material it is made out of, the value paid for the items in US dollars and the country of origin of the items.
To import household effects (furniture, dishes, linens, libraries, artwork and similar household furnishings, etc.) for personal use, the items must have been available for personal use or used in a household where the owner of the goods was a resident for 12 months and is not intended for another person or for sale.
The 12 months of use does not need to be continuous nor does it need to be the 12 months immediately prior to the date of importation (Hawaii).
Shipments from the 49 United States into Hawaii are not subject to U.S. Customs requirements, but shipments from foreign countries to Hawaii are subject to all of the same rules and regulations that apply to the rest of the United States.
Only shipments of used household goods and personal effects may enter the U.S. under informal entry.
Due to the fragile and unique ecosystem that exists in Hawaii, additional examinations may be ordered.
For shipments to Hawaii containing garden tools, outdoor furniture, playground equipment, motorcycles, scooters or any other items used outdoors, it is likely to be examined by U.S. Customs.
If Customs finds outdoor items to be dirty or contain insects or snails, they will notify the State of Hawaii Department of Agriculture.
The State may require the entire shipment to be cleaned, fumigated or frozen to clean potential bacteria or kill any invasive species.
Owners of the goods should be forewarned that they are responsible to pay for the expense of this process, it can be very costly and it may result in damage to household goods.
Informed decisions should be made regarding the import of items.
U.S. Customs may also order intensive exams on any shipments containing food products, medications or liquor.
The owner of the goods is responsible to pay for the exams and any damage incurred during inspections by Customs officials.
Note: The import regulations for the 48 contiguous United States and Alaska are included herein. Significant distinct requirements for the import of household goods shipments into Hawaii exist; as the 50th state in the United States, shipments from the other 49 states in the United States are not subject to U.S. Customs. Shipments to Hawaii from foreign countries are subject to all the same rules and regulations that apply to the rest of the United States. Only shipments of used household goods and personal effects may enter the U.S. under informal entry.
MOTOR VEHICLES
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) form EPA-3520-21 (if applicable)
OBL (foreign purchased vehicles)
Bill of sale / pro-forma invoice with statement of value (foreign purchased vehicles)
Title of ownership translated into English (foreign purchased vehicles)
Department of Transportation (DOT) form HS-7
Proof of conformity by either:
U.S. title / registration
Letter of conformity from the manufacturer
Foreign military sales contract that indicates vehicle meets USA-EPA / DOT regulations
Exemption as a model 25-year old vehicle as proven by the title
Copy of U.S. title or registration when previously registered in the USA (vehicles previously owned and shipped from the U.S. by the returning residents / owners of the goods)
Completed EPA-3520-1, DOT, HS-7 and Customs 7501 forms (vehicles previously owned and shipped from the U.S. by the returning importer)
Letter of permission from the EPA (non-residents importing vehicles as a tourist)
SPECIFIC INFORMATION
For vehicles previously owned and shipped from the U.S. by the returning resident / owner of the goods, the ownership names must match with the owner of the goods’ of the shipment on the vehicle title and registration.
A non-U.S. resident can import a vehicle for a period of up to 12 months as a tourist, but no extension will be allowed.
The owner of the goods is required to obtain a permission letter prior to shipping the vehicle from the EPA.
Vehicles imported by non-residents for tourism may not sell or offer for vehicle for sale and it must be exported prior to the 12 month period or is subject to seizure and penalties by Customs.
Some ports of entry (POE) require a bond for up to three times the value of the vehicle to ensure the timely export of the vehicle.
Additional port specific declarations may be required for this temporary importation.
A bill of sale or pro-forma invoice with the statement of value must include the vehicle’s description, vehicle identification number (VIN), model, and year of manufacture.
In general vehicle models that are 25 years or older and with the original drive train are exempt from EPA / DOT regulations.
Vehicle models less than 25 years old that were not previously titled in the U.S must comply with EPA / DOT regulations.
The cost and time to bring a vehicle into compliance by an ICI (certified conversion shop) make the process an unwise economic decision in most cases.
It is strongly recommended not to import non-complying vehicles.
In the event an owner of the goods elects to attempt to import a vehicle it should be sent separately from household goods and personal effects shipments to avoid delays in the receipt of the shipment.
The owner of the goods must make arrangements with an ICI shop in the USA prior to shipping the vehicle in order to get an estimate and to determine if the vehicle can be brought into compliance.
Marine engines and gas-powered generators are also subject to EPA requirements and Form EPA-3520-21 is normally required for those items
If an imported vehicle does not conform to these standards, it must be brought into conformity; otherwise it must be destroyed or exported.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture requires that the undercarriage of imported cars be free from foreign soil before they can be entered into the United States.
This may be done by steam spray or by thorough cleaning before shipment.
Do not store personal items in any motor vehicle.
PETS
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
Rabies vaccination record
Veterinary health certificate
SPECIFIC INFORMATION
The importation of pets is subject to health, quarantine, agriculture or wildlife requirements, and prohibitions.
Pets are subject to examination at the first port of arrival for any evidence of disease.
A valid rabies (rage) vaccination record must accompany dogs arriving from areas not free from rabies.
There is no requirement for a rabies certificate for domestic cats.
Contact the destination agent to determine if special certificates and admission requirements apply, providing the common and scientific name of the animal along with the country of origin that it is being shipped to ensure all appropriate government agencies can be contacted.
Most turtles and monkeys are not allowed entry into the U.S.A.
ANTIQUES, ARTIFACTS, CARPETS, PAINTINGS
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
Purchase invoice
Detailed inventory
SPECIFIC INFORMATION
U.S. Customs requires items to be at least 100 years old be classified as antiques.
A recently purchased antique should indicate the circa date on the invoice.
Antiques are duty free.
Carpets of Iranian origin that have been used in the foreign household for at least 12 months and are being imported with the owner of the goods’ household goods and personal effects are generally approved for import.
It is recommended that if you have a large number of carpets or they
are new that you do not ship as the USA currently has an embargo on Iranian origin goods, subject to change at any time.
Paintings of nominal value can be shipped with household goods shipments.
Artifacts of any type should not be shipped without first checking with the USA agent and the country of export, as different regulations may apply depending on the country of origin, type of artifact and circa date.
Additionally, many countries are parties to CITES Treaties or Acts that do not allow the import or export of certain types of artifacts or require permits that must be issued prior to export.
RESTRICTED/DUTIABLE ITEMS
Plants and seeds (an import permit and plant and plant product declaration form are required)
Soil (an import permit is required)
Meats and meat byproducts (e.g., bouillon soups)
Medications
Fruits and vegetables
Game and hunting trophies
Gold
Merchandise from embargoed countries (a license from the Office of Foreign Assets Control is required)
Certain animal species (contact the destination agent for information)
Textiles and clothing
Plants and seeds (an import permit and a PPQ form 505 – plant and plant product declaration are required) (Hawaii)
Biological materials of public health or veterinary importance (an import permit is required) (Hawaii)
Wood packing materials (materials from China must be fumigated, verified by documentation) (Hawaii)
Alcohol
The importation of alcohol is governed by both Federal and state laws.
In general the Federal Government allows a reasonable amount of alcohol to be imported in a household goods shipment.
If Customs feels the amount is excessive they will require the importer to hire a licensed alcohol importer to file a commercial entry.
Domestic importers should comply with the residence state laws which vary from state to state.
Some states allow no alcohol imports while others require the importer to obtain a permit and pay a fee and still others allow a reasonable amount.
Each state has regulations and must be consulted before making a shipment.
A detailed inventory must be made at the time of packing in order for food and drug filings to be performed and proper duties and taxes to be paid on the shipment.
For imports into Hawaii as part of the household goods shipment, the owner of the goods is required to apply for a liquor permit with the City and County of Honolulu Liquor Commission on Oahu.
The owner of the goods must appear in person to apply for the permit and provide the permit for the liquor to clear U.S. Customs.
A Permit C – household goods permit form is required for the import of alcohol (Hawaii).
Inherited Goods (Imports to Hawaii)
Inherited goods can be imported duty free if the following conditions are met:
The items are over 100 years old and can be proven through documentation.
Were available for use in the owner of the goods’ place of residence for 12 months prior to entry into the United States.
It does not have to be the 12 months prior to the inheritance (e.g., the items were in the owner of the goods’ parent’s house during the owner of the goods’ childhood).
Food Items
The importation of food items is strongly discouraged.
Food products also require a detailed inventory for food and drug filings and duty payment.
A food questionnaire form must be completed if importing food items (Hawaii).
Fish / Wildlife
Ivory items, skins, feathers and shells are regulated by Fish and Wildlife.
Many of these items require special CITES permits or may be prohibited from being imported.
It is critical for the origin agent to consult with the U.S. agent to determine if an item requires a permit or can be legally imported.
The permits cannot be issued once the shipment has left the origin country.
The destination agent will need to know the common, scientific names and country of origin to determine if a permit is required.
Weapons
Guns (ammunition should not be shipped as it is a hazardous good) previously owned and shipped from the U.S. can normally be imported if military, government personnel can establish to the satisfaction of Customs that the items were sent from the U.S..
The best method for the owner of the goods is to register the weapons with Customs prior to export from the U.S.
If the owner of the goods does not have a registration then a copy of sales receipts, the export OBL, inventory and a declaration will sometimes satisfy Customs.
Weapons purchased overseas are normally required to be imported using a Federal Firearms permit holder but some exceptions do apply to allow non-resident individuals to apply for a permit directly with Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF).
The ATF permit filing should be applied for at least 6 weeks in advance of the arrival of the shipment.
The application requires that the Customs broker who will handle the entry be named on the ATF application, so it is important that the application is filed properly from the start to avoid delays on arrival.
The owner of the goods should consult with the U.S. agent when considering shipping any weapons and provide all the facts regarding how and where the weapons were acquired.
It should be noted that not all types of weapons can be imported.
PROHIBITED ITEMS
Tuna
Drug paraphernalia
Haitian animal hide drums
Cuban cigars
Blank tapes and CDs from Iran
Absinthe
Counterfeit items or items inappropriately using a federally registered trademark
Products made from dog and cat fur
Flavored cigarettes, including cloves
** The customs regulations are updated all the time. Press here for the most updated Customs Regulations.
