High-Value Items: To Declare or Not?

No, you don't have to declare personal items.

Personal items shouldn't be a problem. A netbook and DSLR are pretty common travel items. For the U.S., there is a way to register your stuff to prove you brought it with you - in case there is a question when you return home. I don't pack a lot of valuables so I've never worried about it. If you're worried, you may want to look into Sinagapore's rules on how to show your items weren't purchased during your trip.

Hi Stewart. I would bring the receipts for your netbook and DSLR to prove that you purchased them before your travels, just in case anyone questions you. If you registered your DLSR online, bring a printout of that also.

Thanks all for the answers. Unfortunately, I don't have the receipts anymore. I will probably print the warranty form which I have registered online from the manufacturer. Or when I'm checking in Singapore airport, I will ask or declared the items before departure, if the officials in the airport say it's necessary to do so.

hi Stewart, I haven't heard of anyone having trouble with these items in Europe before, and in Singapore it's not a problem. However, if you're taking flights within Europe, you might be asked to take out your computer from your carry-on bag & show it at the customs check before boarding. Happened to me in Paris and Munich. But the only place I've been to where a computer actually had to be declared was Myanmar! Have a good trip.

whoops Stewart, I meant that I had to show my computer at security before boarding.

For returning American citizens there should be no need to declare anything that you left the US with. Electronics products are cheapest in the U.S. no real savings is to be found buying overseas. In Europe you would only declare items you are leaving or selling there. You only declare liquor and cigarettes if you have more than the allotted amount.

Thanks Audrey for the info. Yeah, I have always no problem bringing all those stuff traveling from/to Singapore to/from other SE Asia countries. It's good to hear the same thing from fellow traveler from Singapore.