We are going to France in September and I wanted to buy a purse in Paris. Before the new, high tariffs were introduced, there were duty-free exemptions for merchandise intended for personal use. Usually the value limit is $800 USD per person. Do you know if we can still bring in $800 worth of goods with no tariff? Or, is there a mandatory tariff of 10% for all goods from the European Union? We have been surprised by 40%+ tariffs from goods purchased via personal mail order from the UK. I don’t want to be caught out thinking I can purchase that new purse in Paris as long as it us under $800 only to find I need to pay more than 40% in tariffs when I go through Customs on the way home….
Posted by
Rhode Island, USA
274 posts
There is information here in this section from the US Customs.
https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/know-before-you-visit/customs-duty-information
Posted by
Upstate NY, USA
1002 posts
A family can combine their exempion - so two of you can combine to $1600, etc.
Posted by
Republic of Texas / U.S.A. / Magyarország / Budapest
23371 posts
Austria has a 100% tariff? That means kangaroo pelts are going to be expensive.
Posted by
Bellingham, WA
1167 posts
Here is the actual information for US citizens returning from abroad. The previous link was for visitors to the US.
https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/know-before-you-go/what-expect-when-you-return
And here is the tariff language:
Under what is known as its "301" authority, the United States may impose a much higher than normal duty rate on products from certain countries. Currently, the United States has imposed a 100 percent rate of duty on certain products of Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, The Federal Republic of Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the Ukraine. If you should bring more of any of these products back with you than fall within your exemption or flat rate of duty, (see below) you will pay as much in duty as you paid for the product or products.
I had to read that last sentence three times before I saw the word "more."
Posted by
SoCal
1905 posts
This is useful information for me, as I'm planning to bring back a fair amount of wine from France. I'll do what I can to stay below the $1,600 limit. Thanks!
Posted by
Chicagoland
996 posts
jhpbucks, bringing liquor into the US is a whole different ballgame. Take a look at the US CBP site for bringing alcohol into the US.
There is a 1 liter limit duty free per adult. Then it is subject to both duty and federal excuse tax. Additionally, there may be restrictions/limits based on state. You may or may not pay duty/tax depending on the agent and whether they feel like doing the paperwork. But, you must declare it.
Posted by
Corvallis OR
7249 posts
Does anyone know where there is a list of what those certain items are that were mentioned in the post upthread?
Posted by
OP
Londonderry NH
27 posts
Thank you, everyone! This CBP link looks very helpful. Is there a way to obtain the current information? I get a warning that the page is over 5 years old. Just want to know what to expect.
https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/know-before-you-go/what-expect-when-you-return
Posted by
Panguitch, Utah
2986 posts
Austria has a 100% tariff? That means kangaroo pelts are going to be expensive
I should expect kangaroos from Austria to be expensive.
Posted by
SoCal
1905 posts
jhpbucks, bringing liquor into the US is a whole different ballgame. ... You may or may not pay duty/tax depending on the agent and whether they feel like doing the paperwork. But, you must declare it.
I'm aware of this, but it's a good reminder to other travelers. And yes, I will be declaring my wine to customs at LAX. The actual tax due is unlikely to be a large number, in contrast to the cost to have it shipped by the château or wine seller in France. The current administration has made the shipping home of wines considerably more expensive.
Posted by
Republic of Texas / U.S.A. / Magyarország / Budapest
23371 posts
Apparently the EU and US just agreed on a flat 15% tariff.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8735 posts
To be honest, I would not worry too much about it, certainly do not let the specter of tariffs prevent you from buying what you wish.
First, nobody can say what tariffs on what items will be, there has been so much waffling on this issue, that trying to predict will make your head spin. Even announced agreements are suddenly suspended or broken as whims dictate.
Second, yes, understand your exemptions and what is allowed per the links posted previously, but if you bring the items back with you on the plane, you will rarely ever need to pay duty, it simply is not worth their time.
Experiences vary, but I do not recall having to indicate the value of items since the forms went away years ago (some places may still use the forms). If I use a kiosk or MPC, it asks some general questions, Border Control agents rarely ask about anything beyond food, but nowhere are you listing out the many things you bought and the cost. I suppose general questions might lead to specific questions, but rarely.
Certainly answer any questions truthfully and accurately, but I would not volunteer information or be purposely vague, those are just red flags.
Even with alcohol, I have brought back alcohol, above the limit (which is for duty only, not a limit of what you can bring back) many times, always either declared it, or if asked, answered accurately, but never once (including bringing back cases) had to pay duty.
The exception though to all of the above, is if you ship items back, do not "escort" them, then the package always goes through customs, and appropriate duties will be calculated by the customs broker, and you will pay...so only more incentive to bring something back, as opposed to shipping.