Claiming souvenirs in customs coming back from Europe with new rules

My report from last week. Nothing has changed.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/general-europe/customs-reentry-report-9-3-25

You are asking a good question, and I am not sure what the answer is.

I looked on the CBP site, and it says a US citizen returning from abroad must fill out the following form:

https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/2024-07/cbp_form_6059b_english_0.pdf

Once upon a time, those forms were passed out on the plane. In the earlier days of Global Entry with the kiosks and palm print ID, you had to answer questions and it spit out a printout you had to hand to a customs official. But on my most recent trips in 2023 and 2024, I have seen no such forms, and no such questions on a kiosk (it does facial recognition), and you get waved through the border control, and I wonder when or where we are supposed to find and fill out one of those forms?

Hope somebody here can shed some light on this.

My question: if I am over the limits, do I walk up to someone in customs and tell them? I assume that is what one does, but my question is, should I fill out one of those forms and have it in my possession no matter if I am under or over the limits? If the forms should be filled out every time, where are the bloody forms, and why are they not distributed anymore? Seems like a game of gotcha to me...

We return from a 2 week trip in Europe on Sunday with about $100 of souvenirs. We have Global Entry. Wondering if slowing lines down or how difficult to report?

If you are not asked to fill out a form, but are asked if you have anything to declare, just tell them you bought about $100 worth of souvenirs but there are no plants or food or alcohol. (Assuming there are no plants or food or alcohol.) The immigration agent will then decide if you need to speak to customs. You probably won't.

if I am over the limits, do I walk up to someone in customs and tell them?

Yes, just because you are not given the forms doesn't mean you don't have to report any overages. (Usually, you just tell the immigration officer and they will decide if you need to talk to customs.

If you fail to report, and you are stopped, you could not only be fined but also lose any Trusted Traveler program you have.

If you have Global Entry, and use the app, it does ask some questions.

As an example, I have GE. I usually bring back tea and coffee. I always declare it even though it is a small amount and I probably don't have to. But I don't want to give any reason to have my GE taken away.

What's happening now is that when you talk to the immigration officer your photo is taken. If they think you need to be searched, your photo will show up on the screen of the customs agents who will pull you aside for a search.

If you have Global Entry, and use the app, it does ask some questions.

I have GE, but knew nothing about the app. Will have to look into that.

So you say you declare the coffee or whatever. Do you do that on the app? Or do you say it to an officer as you pass through Customs?

I follow the requirements for claiming items upon return. I often have a written list of items and costs available along with receipts. Even something as seemingly innocent as prepacked food items (nuts, candy, coffee, tea, etc). I declare everything and I’ve never been asked to produce a receipt or show the item. I will no do anything to jeopardize my trusted traveler status. I’ve seen folk “innocently” deny knowledge of declarable and forbidden items and watched one being escorted along to “pay the price” - a hefty fine and face an impending hearing on their global entry status. I view customs as a process to protect. Agents have always been polite including during my recent return through ATL.

Thank you all for your replies. I just can’t find anything official that says that they have lowered the $800 to $0 when coming back in to the country by plane or is it just if you buy things online/ship. I have been saving all my receipts in case. Sounds like maybe nothing has changed when flying - since the law changed on 8/29.

There was a lot of misleading reporting. Geee, surprise. For what you can bring back with you, nothing has changed.

raymonelee, you have my respect.

Thank you all for your replies. I just can’t find anything official that says that they have lowered the $800 to $0 when coming back in to the country by plane or is it just if you buy things online/ship. I have been saving all my receipts in case. Sounds like maybe nothing has changed when flying - since the law changed on 8/29.

This is a different question than your original question.

The $800 per person exemption has not changed for travelers returning to the US and has nothing to do with recent tariffs changes on items received via the mail from abroad.

I thought your original question regarded the need to claim items purchased abroad upon return, to which the answer is "yes".

You still have the $800 per person exemption for goods you bring back with you. The changes only affected items sent by mail or international carrier (Fed Ex, DHL, etc), essentially nothing has changed. Alcohol and Tobacco have different limits, Food, plant and other biological items they want to know about.

You may or may not be given a form, if you use any of the apps or kiosks, you likely will see a question asking if you are over the limit, but if you are not, and they do not ask, then go your way.

Technically, if you are over the limit, even if they do not ask, you are supposed to go to the customs station and declare those goods. (Again always been the case) They can also pull you over or ask to see your bags. Whether they levy any duties is remote, honestly, despite being over, both in goods and alcohol, and declaring, I never have been levied duties, and have not heard of anyone who has.

If you do not have Global Entry, download the Mobile Passport Control app. You will avoid the long lines. You create an account, upload your info in advance. When you arrive back in the US, you answer the questions (including declaring items) and take a selfie. Then you get a QR code for a special (short) line. Saved us hours in Seattle.