There is much that you can do
to prepare for your trip abroad, depending on where you are
going, how long you are staying, and your reasons for
traveling.
LEARN ABOUT THE COUNTRIES
THAT YOU PLAN TO VISIT
The following suggestions and
sources may be useful:
-
Read as much as possible
about the countries in which you plan to travel.
Informing yourself about a nation's history, culture,
customs and politics will make your stay more
meaningful. Such information can be found in most
libraries, bookstores and tourist bureaus. Although
English is spoken in many countries, it is a good idea
to learn what you can of the language of the country in
which you will be traveling.
-
Travel agents can provide
brochures and tourist information about the countries
that you wish to visit.
-
Most international
airlines can supply you with travel brochures about the
countries that they serve. Many countries have tourist
information offices in main cities in the United States
where you can obtain travel brochures and maps.
-
Foreign embassies or
consulates in the United States can provide up-to-date
information on their countries. Addresses and telephone
numbers of the embassies of foreign governments are
listed in the Congressional Directory, available at most
public libraries. In addition to their embassies, some
countries also have consulates in major U.S. cities.
Look for their addresses in your local telephone
directory, or find them in the publication, Foreign
Consular Offices in the United States, available in
many public libraries, or on the Internet
http://www.state.gov/
-
The Department of State
publishes Background Notes on countries
worldwide. These are brief, factual pamphlets with
information on each country's culture, history,
geography, economy, government, and current political
situation. The Background Notes are available for
approximately 170 countries. They often include a
reading list, travel notes and maps. To purchase copies,
you can contact the Superintendent of Documents, U.S.
Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, or
call (202) 512-1800. Select issues are also available
from the Department of State's Bureau of Public Affairs,
fax-on-demand, by calling (202) 736-7720 from your fax
machine or on the Department of State's home page on the
Internet at
http://www.state.gov/.
-
The Consular Information
Program provides pertinent information for travelers.
The U.S. Department of State issues fact sheets, known
as Consular Information Sheets, on every country
in the world. You should obtain the Department of
State's Consular Information Sheet for any
country that you will visit. The sheets contain
information about crime and security conditions, areas
of instability, and other details pertaining to travel
in a particular country.
The Department of State also
issues Travel Warnings and Public Announcements.
Travel Warnings are issued when the Department of
State recommends deferral of travel by Americans to a
country because of civil unrest, dangerous conditions,
terrorist activity and/or because the United States has no
diplomatic relations with the country and cannot assist an
American citizen in distress. Public Announcements
are issued as a means to disseminate information quickly
about terrorist threats and other relatively short-term
and/or transnational conditions, which would pose
significant risks to American travelers.
Tips for Travelers Series
The Department of State
publishes a series of brochures on travel to specific
regions of the world. The brochures cover a variety of
topics such as import and export controls, customs and
currency regulations, dual nationality, crime information,
health precautions, and photography restrictions. The
publications are available for $1.00-$1.50 each from the
Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office
(GPO), Washington, D.C. 20402. (Availability and prices are
subject to change without notice. Please check with the GPO
before ordering at telephone 202-512-1800.)
REQUIRED TRAVEL
DOCUMENTS
Travel document requirements
vary from country to country, but you will need the
following: a U.S. passport or other proof of citizenship,
plus a visa or a tourist card, if required by the country or
countries that you will visit. You may also need evidence
that you have enough money for your trip and/or have ongoing
or return transportation tickets.
A Valid Passport - Who Needs
a Passport?
A U.S. citizen needs a
passport to depart or enter the United States and to enter
and depart most foreign countries. Exceptions include
short-term travel between the United States and Mexico,
Canada, and some countries in the Caribbean, where a U.S.
birth certificate or other proof of U.S. citizenship may be
accepted. Your travel agent or airline can tell you if you
need a passport for the country that you plan to visit.
Information on entry requirements is available from the
booklet Foreign Entry Requirements, for 50 cents from
the Consumer Information Center, Pueblo, Colorado 81009;
telephone 719-948-4000; Internet
http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/
The embassy or consulate of the country where you plan to
travel can also advise you about its entry requirements.
Please Remember!
Even if you are not required
to have a passport to visit a foreign country, U.S.
Immigration requires you to prove your U.S. citizenship and
identity to reenter the United States. Make certain that you
take with you adequate documentation to pass through U.S.
Immigration upon your return. A U.S. passport is the best
proof of U.S. citizenship. Other documents to prove U.S.
citizenship include an expired U.S. passport, a certified
copy of your U.S. birth certificate, a Certificate of
Naturalization, a Certificate of Citizenship, or a Report of
Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States. To prove
your identity, either a valid driver's license or a
government identification card that includes a photo or a
physical description is adequate.
With the number of
international child custody cases on the rise, several
countries have instituted passport requirements to help
prevent child abductions. For example, Mexico has a law that
requires a child traveling alone, or with only one parent,
or in someone else's custody, to carry written, notarized
consent from the absent parent or parents. No authorization
is needed, if the child travels alone and is in possession
of a U.S. passport. A child traveling alone with a birth
certificate requires written, notarized authorization from
both parents.
Beware of a Passport That Is
About to Expire!
Certain countries will not
permit you to enter and will not place a visa in your
passport, if the remaining validity is less than 6 months.
All U.S. Citizens Must Have
Their Own Passport.
Since January 1981, family
members are not permitted to be included in each other's
passports. Even newborn babies need their own passports to
travel.
When to Apply
Every year, demand for
passports becomes heavy in January and declines in August.
You can help reduce U.S. Government expense and avoid delays
by applying between September and December. However, even
during those months, periods of high demand for passports
can occur. Apply several months in advance of your planned
departure, whenever possible. If you need visas, allow
additional time - approximately two weeks per visa.
Click here for more info.
How to Apply for Your
Passport in Person
For your first passport, you
must appear in person with a completed Form DSP-11,
Passport Application, at one of the 13 U.S. passport
agencies or at many Federal and state courts, probate
courts, at some county/municipal offices, or at U.S. post
offices authorized to accept passport applications. The
addresses of passport acceptance facilities in your area are
available on the Internet at
http://travel.state.gov/.
Click here for more info
Applicants who are age 16 and
older must appear in person when applying for a passport, if
they are applying for the first time. Minors who are ages
13, 14, and 15 years must also appear in person, and be
accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Applicants ages
16 and 17 years may apply on their own IF they have
acceptable identification. The parent or legal guardian may
be contacted by the Passport Agency to ensure that they are
giving permission for issuance of the passport. If the
applicant does not have identification, then the parent or
legal guardian must accompany the applicant. For children
under age 13, a parent or legal guardian may appear on their
behalf. The children do not have to appear in person.
What to Bring When You Apply
for a Passport in Person
1. A properly completed, but
unsigned, passport application (DSP-11). Do not sign it!
2. Proof of U.S. citizenship
(a, b, or c):
a. Use your previously issued
passport or one in which you were included. If you are
applying for your first passport or cannot submit a previous
passport, you must submit other evidence of citizenship.
b. If you were born in the
United States, you should produce a certified copy of your
birth certificate. This must show that the birth record was
filed shortly after birth and must be certified with the
registrar's signature and raised, impressed, embossed, or
multicolored seal. Certified copies of birth records can be
obtained from the Bureau of Vital Statistics in the city,
state, county, or territory where you were born. (Notifications
of Birth Registration or Birth Announcements are
not normally accepted for passport purposes.) A delayed
birth certificate (one filed more than one year after the
date of birth) is acceptable, provided it shows a plausible
basis for creating this record. If it does not, you will
need to submit the best secondary evidence possible.
If you cannot obtain a birth
certificate, you may submit a notice from a state registrar
stating that no birth record exists, accompanied by the best
secondary evidence possible. This may include a baptismal
certificate, a hospital birth record, notarized affidavits
of persons having personal knowledge of the facts of your
birth, or other documentary evidence such as an early
census, school records, family Bible records, and newspaper
files. A personal knowledge affidavit should be supported by
at least one public record reflecting birth in the United
States.
c. If you were born
abroad, you can use:
-
A Certificate of
Naturalization
-
A Certificate of
Citizenship
-
A Report of Birth Abroad
of a Citizen of the United States of America (Form
FS-240)
-
A Certification of Birth
(Form FS-545 or DS-1350)
3. Proof of identity.
You must also establish your
identity to the satisfaction of the person accepting your
application. The following items are generally acceptable
documents of identity, if they contain your signature and if
they readily identify you by physical description or
photograph:
-
A previous U.S. passport
-
A Certificate of
Naturalization or Citizenship
-
A valid driver's license
-
A government issued
(Federal, state, municipal) identification card
The following are not
acceptable:
-
A Social Security card
-
A learner's or temporary
driver's license
-
A credit card of any type
-
Any temporary or expired
identity card or document
-
Any document that has
been altered or changed
If you are unable to present
one of the first four documents to establish your identity,
you must be accompanied by a person who has known you for at
least 2 years and who is a U.S. citizen or a permanent
resident alien of the United States. That person must sign
an affidavit in the presence of the same person who executes
the passport application. The witness will be required to
establish his or her own identity. You must also submit some
identification of your own.
4. Photographs.
You must present two
identical photographs of yourself that are sufficiently
recent (normally taken within the past 6 months) to be a
good likeness. Passport Services encourages photographs
where the applicant is relaxed and smiling.
The photographs must not
exceed 2x2 inches in size. The image size measured from the
bottom of your chin to the top of your head (including hair)
must be not less than 1 inch nor more than 1-3/8 inches with
your head taking up most of the photograph. Passport
photographs may be either black and white or color.
Photographs must be clear,
front view, full-face, and printed on thin, white paper with
a plain, white or off-white background. Photographs should
be portrait-type prints taken in normal street attire
without a hat and must include no more than the head and
shoulders or upper torso. Dark glasses are not acceptable
except when worn for medical reasons. Head coverings are
only acceptable, if they are worn for religious reasons.
Applicants may use
photographs in military uniform only if they are on active
duty in the U.S. Armed Forces and are proceeding abroad in
the discharge of their duties.
Newspaper, magazine and most
vending machine prints are not acceptable for use in
passports.
5. The correct fee for
applying for a passport in person.
Applicants age 16 and over,
who are required to appear in person, must pay $60 for their
passport. This includes a $15 execution fee. The passport is
valid for 10 years. Applicants age 15 and under must pay $40
for their passport. This includes a $15 execution fee. The
passport is valid for 5 years.
You may pay by check, bank
draft, or money order, payable to Passport Services. You may
also pay in cash (exact change only) at a passport agency
and at some, but not all post offices and clerks of court.
How to Apply for a Passport
by Mail
You may apply by mail if you
meet the following requirements:
-
You can submit your most
recent passport.
-
Your previous passport
was issued on or after your 16th birthday and was issued
within the past 12 years.
-
You use the same name as
that on your most recent passport or you have had your
name changed by marriage or court order, and can submit
proof of the change in name
How to Proceed
Obtain Form DSP-82,
Application for Passport by Mail, from one of the U.S.
passport agencies, from a Federal or state court, from a
U.S. post office that is authorized to accept passport
applications, from your travel agent, or from the Internet
at http://travel.state.gov Complete the information
requested on the reverse side of the form.
(1) Sign and date the
application.
(2) Include your date of
departure. If no date is included, passport agents will
assume that your travel plans are not immediate, and you
will receive your passport within 25 working days from
receipt of the application at the passport agency.
(3) Enclose your previous
passport. (Your previous passport and other documents that
you may have submitted will be returned to you with your new
passport.)
(4) Enclose two identical 2x2
photographs.
(5) Enclose the $60 passport
fee. (The $15 execution fee is not required for applicants
eligible to apply by mail.)
(6) If your name has changed,
submit the original or certified copy of the court order or
marriage certificate that shows the change of name.
(7) The person that you list
to be notified in case of an emergency should be someone who
could act on your behalf. The person should be someone to
whom you have given or could give a power of attorney.
(8) For processing, mail the
completed application and attachments to the National
Passport Center, listed on the application form. An
incomplete or improperly prepared application will delay
issuance of your passport.
(9) If requesting Expedited
Service, include the $35.00 expedite fee.
How to Pay the Passport Fee
The following forms of
payment are acceptable when you apply by mail:
-
A bank draft or a
cashier's check
-
A check: either a
certified check, a personal check, or a traveler's check
(The check should be made out for the exact amount
-
A money order: either a
U.S. postal money order, an international money order, a
currency exchange money order or a bank money order
-
Checks must be made
payable to Passport Services.
When You Receive Your
Passport
Sign it right away! Fill in
page 5, the personal notification data page. (For the
emergency contact, do not include the name of your traveling
companion; instead, write in pencil the name, address, and
telephone number of someone who is not traveling with you.)
Your previous passport and other documents that you may have
submitted will be returned to you with your new passport.
Other Passport Information
Expedited Service
It normally takes 25 business
days from receipt of the complete application by a passport
agency to return your passport. If you wish or need to
receive your passport sooner, you may request expedited
service for processing of the passport within 3 business
days from receipt of the application by a passport agency.
The fee for expedited service is $35.00 per application,
which is in addition to the regular passport fee.
If you request expedited
service, your departure date should be clearly shown on the
application. Anyone who pays the $35.00 expedite fee and
submits a complete application will be given expedited
service.
If you plan to travel in more
than two weeks, but need a passport urgently, it is strongly
recommended that you arrange for two-way overnight delivery
of the passport to prevent delays. If you are leaving within
two weeks, it is recommended that you go to the nearest
passport agency to apply.
For additional details, you
may check with the National Passport Information Center.
If you plan to travel abroad
frequently or if you stay overseas for long periods of time,
your relatives or associates in the United States should
have valid passports as well. That way, if you were to
become seriously ill or involved in some other emergency,
they could travel without delay. Also, you should leave with
them your passport number and the date and place of the
passport's issuance.
Change of Name
If you have changed your
name, you will need to have your passport amended. Fill out
Form DSP-19, Passport Amendment/Validation Application,
which is available from any office that is authorized to
accept passport applications. Submit the DSP-19 along with
proof of the name change (a marriage certificate, divorce
decree, or certified court order) to the nearest passport
agency. There is no fee for this service, except if expedite
service is requested.
An Altered or Mutilated
Passport
If your U.S. passport is
mutilated or altered in any way (other than changing the
personal notification data), you may render it invalid,
cause yourself much inconvenience, and expose yourself to
possible prosecution under the law (Section 1543, Title 22
of the U.S. Code).
Mutilated or altered
passports should be turned in to passport agents, authorized
postal employees, or U.S. consular officers abroad.
Loss or Theft of a U.S.
Passport
It is important that you
safeguard your passport. Its loss could cause you
unnecessary travel complications as well as significant
expense.
If your passport is lost or
stolen in the United States, you should apply for a new
passport and complete Form DSP-64, Statement Regarding
Lost or Stolen Passport, which is available at U.S.
passport agencies.
If your passport is lost or
stolen abroad, you should report the loss immediately to the
local police and to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
If you can provide the consular officer with the information
contained in your passport, it will facilitate issuance of a
new passport. Therefore, it is a good idea to make two
photocopies of the data page of your passport. Keep one copy
separately from your passport to take with you on your trip,
and leave the other copy with a relative or friend in the
United States. It is also a good idea to carry two extra
passport size photos with you.
A visa is an endorsement or
stamp placed in your passport by a foreign government that
permits you to visit that country for a specified purpose
and a limited time - for example, a 3-month tourist visa. It
is advisable to obtain visas before you leave the United
States because you may not be able to obtain visas for some
countries once you have departed. You should apply directly
to the embassy or nearest consulate of each country that you
plan to visit, or consult a travel agent. Passport agencies
cannot help you obtain visas.
Foreign Entry Requirements
The Department of State
publication M-264, Foreign Entry Requirements, gives
entry requirements for every country and tells where and how
to apply for visas and tourist cards. It can be ordered for
50 cents from the Consumer Information Center, Pueblo,
Colorado 81009; telephone: 719-948-4000; Internet
http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/
Please Note: The publication is updated annually, but it may
not reflect the most current requirements. It is advisable
to verify the latest visa requirements directly with the
embassy or consulate of each country that you plan to visit.
Because a visa is stamped
directly onto a blank page in your passport, you will need
to give your passport to an official of each foreign embassy
or consulate. You may also need to fill out a form and
submit one or more photographs with the form. Many visas
require a fee. The process may take several weeks for each
visa, so it is wise to apply well in advance of your trip,
if possible.
Tourist Card
If the country that you plan
to visit only requires a tourist card, you can usually
obtain one from the country's embassy or consulate, from an
airline serving the country, or at the port of entry. There
is a fee for some tourist cards.
Proof of Citizenship
Check with the embassy or
consulate of each country that you plan to visit to learn
what proof of citizenship is required of visitors. Even if a
country does not require a visitor to have a passport, it
will require some proof of citizenship and identity.
Remember that no matter what proof of citizenship a foreign
country requires, U.S. Immigration has strict requirements
for reentry into the United States.
Under international health
regulations adopted by the World Health Organization, a
country may require international certificates of
vaccination against yellow fever and cholera. Typhoid
vaccinations are not required for international travel, but
are recommended for areas where there is risk of exposure.
Smallpox vaccinations are no longer given. Check your health
care records to ensure that your measles, mumps, rubella,
polio, diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis immunizations are
up-to-date. Medication to deter malaria and other
preventative measures are advisable for certain areas. No
immunizations are needed to return to the United States.
Information on immunization
requirements, U.S. Public Health Service recommendations,
and other health guidance, including risks in particular
countries, are included in the book, Health Information
for International Travel. It may be purchased by sending
a check or money order for $20.00 to the Superintendent of
Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, P.O. Box 371954,
Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954. Orders by telephone and a credit
card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover) can be made by calling
202-512-1800; fax 202-512-2250. In addition, you may obtain
information on health from local and state health
departments or physicians. The information is also available
from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's
24-hour hotline at 1-888-232-3228, from their automated
fax-back service at 1-888-232-3299, or from their home page
on the Internet at
http://www.cdc.gov/.
It is not necessary to be
vaccinated against a disease to which you will not be
exposed, and few countries refuse to admit you if you arrive
without the necessary vaccinations. Officials will either
vaccinate you, give you a medical follow-up card, or, in
rare circumstances, put you in isolation for the incubation
period of the disease that you were not vaccinated against.
It is a good idea to check immunization requirements before
you depart.
If vaccinations are required,
they must be recorded on approved forms, such as those in
the booklet PHS-731, International Certificates of
Vaccination as Approved by the World Health Organization.
If your doctor or public health office does not have this
booklet, it can be purchased for $1.00 from the
Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA
15250-7954; telephone 202-512-1800, or Government Printing
Office bookstores. You should keep the booklet with your
passport.
An increasing number of
countries require that foreigners be tested for Human
Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) prior to entry. Testing is
usually required as part of a medical exam for long term
visitors (i.e., students and workers). Before traveling
abroad, you can check with the embassy or consulate of the
country that you intend to visit to learn about the latest
information concerning entry requirements and, particularly,
whether or not an AIDS/HIV test is a requirement.
Obtaining medical treatment
and hospital care can be costly for travelers who are
injured or who become seriously ill overseas. The Social
Security Medicare/Medicaid program does not provide
coverage for hospital or medical services outside the United
States. Before you leave the United States, you should be
informed about which medical services your health insurance
will cover abroad.
Senior citizens may wish to
contact the American Association of Retired Persons for
information about foreign medical care coverage with
Medicare supplement plans.
If your health insurance
policy does not provide coverage for hospital or medical
costs abroad, you are urged to purchase a temporary health
policy that does provide this type of coverage. There are
short-term health and emergency assistance policies designed
for travelers. You can find the names of companies that
provide such policies from your travel agent, your health
insurance company, or from advertisements in travel
publications. Useful information on medical emergencies
abroad is provided in the Department of State, Bureau of
Consular Affairs' flyer, Medical Information for
Americans Traveling Abroad, available by autofax service
at 202-647-3000. In addition to health insurance, many
policies include trip cancellation, baggage loss, and travel
accident insurance in the same package. Some traveler's
check companies have protection policies available with the
purchase of traveler's checks.
Medical Evacuation
Although some health
insurance companies may pay "customary and reasonable"
hospital costs abroad, very few will pay for medical
evacuation back to the United States. Medical evacuation can
easily cost $10,000 or more, depending on your location and
medical condition. One of the main advantages of health and
emergency assistance policies is that they often include
coverage for medical evacuation to the United States. Even
if your regular health insurance covers you for emergencies
abroad, you should consider purchasing supplemental
insurance to cover medical evacuation.
Whichever health insurance
coverage you choose for travel overseas, remember to carry
with you both your health insurance policy identity card and
claim forms.
Do You Need Travel Insurance?
You may not need travel
insurance, if you are already adequately covered by other
insurance policies.
Depending on the travel
insurance plan, travel insurance usually promises to cover
you for cancellation or interruption of your trip, some form
of emergency medical care while you are traveling, lost or
stolen luggage, and various other troublesome occurrences.
Before you decide on a travel
insurance plan, it is wise to investigate the plan carefully
and read the fine print. You should closely check any
agreements with your travel agent, tour operator, airline,
or other companies involved with your travel plans. The
agreements may include written guarantees.
If you have a fully
refundable airline ticket, you may decide that you would not
need trip cancellation/interruption insurance.
On the other hand, it may be
worthwhile noting that certain insurance plans can protect
you by covering the financial costs in case of the following
situations:
-
A sudden, serious injury
or illness to you, a family member, or a traveling
companion.
-
Financial default of the
airline, cruise line or tour operator.
-
Natural disasters or
strikes that impede travel services.
-
A terrorist incident in a
foreign city within 10 days of your scheduled arrival in
that particular city.
The fact that you, a
traveling member of your family, or a traveling companion
were quarantined, served with a court order or required to
serve on a jury.
A circumstance in which you
were directly involved in an accident enroute to departure
for your trip.
It is a good idea to check
your other insurance policies. For instance, your homeowners
or tenants insurance may cover the loss or theft of your
luggage.
Certain credit cards may also
provide additional travel insurance, if you have used them
to purchase the ticket for your trip.
Your health insurance may
provide certain coverage, regardless of where you travel.
But it is very important to note that some policies only
partially cover medical expenses abroad. Moreover, as
previously explained in the section on Health Insurance,
Medicare/Medicaid will not cover hospital and medical
services outside the United States. (Please see section on
Health Insurance for more details about health emergencies
abroad.)
Your travel agent should be able to advise you about the
right plan for you. Before purchasing travel insurance,
review the plan carefully, and be wary of buying coverage
that you may already have.
Traveler's Checks
It is wise not to carry large
amounts of cash. You should take most of your money in
traveler's checks and remember to record the serial number,
denomination and the date and location of the issuing bank
or agency. Keep this information in a safe and separate
place so, if you lose your traveler's checks, you can
quickly get replacements.
Credit Cards
Some credit cards can be used
worldwide, even for cash advances. Keep track of your credit
card purchases so that you do not exceed your limit.
Travelers have been arrested overseas for mistakenly
exceeding their credit limit! Leave all unnecessary credit
cards at home. Record the numbers of the credit cards that
you do bring, and keep the list separately from the cards.
You should immediately report
the loss or theft of your credit cards or traveler's checks
to the credit card companies and to the local police. If you
plan to stay in one place for some time, you might consider
opening an account for check cashing and other transactions
at a U.S. bank that has an overseas affiliate. U.S.
embassies and consulates cannot cash checks for you.
Before leaving on your trip,
you may wish to check with your bank to see if the country
or countries that you plan to visit have Automated Teller
Machine (ATM) service. The bank should be able to tell you
if you can use your ATM card during your trip abroad.
Prepare for Emergency
Funds
It is a good idea to keep the
telephone number for your bank in the United States with
you, in case you run out of cash and need to transfer money.
In some countries, major banks and certain travel agencies
can help arrange a transfer of funds from your account to a
foreign bank. If you do not have a bank account from which
you can obtain emergency funds, you should make arrangements
in advance with a relative or friend to send you emergency
funds should it become necessary. If you find yourself
destitute, contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for
assistance in arranging a money wire transfer from a
relative or friend in the United States.
Foreign Currency
Before departing, you may
wish to purchase small amounts of foreign currency to use
for buses, taxis, phones, or tips when you first arrive.
Foreign exchange facilities at airports may be closed when
your flight arrives. You can purchase foreign currency at
some U.S. banks, at foreign exchange firms, at foreign
exchange windows, or even at vending machines in many
international airports in the United States.
Some countries regulate the
amount of local currency that you can bring into or take out
of the country; others require that you exchange a minimum
amount of currency. For currency regulations, check with a
bank, a foreign exchange firm, your travel agent, or the
embassy or consulate of the countries that you plan to
visit.
If you leave or enter the
United States with more than $10,000 in monetary instruments
of any kind, you must file a report, Customs Form 4790, with
U.S. Customs at the time. Failure to comply can result in
civil and criminal proceedings.
Valuables -- Do Not Bring
Them!
Do not bring anything on your
trip that you would hate to lose, such as expensive jewelry,
family photographs, or objects of sentimental value. If you
bring jewelry, wear it discreetly to help prevent
snatch-and-run robbery.
Lodging
Try to Make Lodging
Reservations in Advance
Many travelers wait until
they reach their destination before making hotel
reservations. Some train stations and airports have travel
desks to assist you in finding lodging. However, when you
arrive, you may be tired and unfamiliar with your
surroundings, and could have difficulty locating a hotel to
suit your needs. Therefore, when possible, reserve your
lodging in advance and confirm your reservations along the
way. During peak tourist season, it is important to have a
hotel reservation for at least the first night that you
arrive in a foreign city.
An alternative to hotels and
pensions is the youth hostel system, which offers travelers
of all ages clean, inexpensive, overnight accommodations in
more than 6,000 locations in over 70 countries worldwide.
Hostels provide dormitory-style accommodations with separate
facilities for males and females. Some hostels have family
rooms that can be reserved in advance. Curfews are often
imposed and membership is frequently required. For more
information, you may contact: American Youth Hostels, P.O.
Box 37613, Washington, D.C. 20013-7613; telephone (202)
783-6161.
Pre-Paid Telephone Card
Service
You never know when you may
wish or need to telephone home during your trip. For such
purposes, you might consider purchasing a pre-paid telephone
card. You can check with telephone companies about pre-paid
telephone card service. They should be able to provide you
with information about prices, sales locations in the United
States and ordering the service by telephone. If you decide
to purchase a pre-paid telephone card, be sure that the card
you choose will work outside the United States.
Transportation
At the time of publication,
U.S. citizens in the United States, who are traveling
abroad, are required to pay a $12 airport departure tax and
a $6 federal inspection fee that are included in the price
of the air ticket.
Charter Flights and Airlines
There have been occasions
when airlines or companies that sell charter flights or tour
packages have gone out of business with little warning,
stranding passengers overseas. If you know from the media or
your travel agent that an airline is in financial
difficulty, ask your travel agent or the airline what
recourse you would have, if the airline ceased to operate.
Some airlines may honor the tickets of a defunct airline,
but they usually do so with restrictions.
It is a good idea to purchase
tours only from operators that guarantee the safety of your
money through a consumer protection plan.
Before you purchase a charter
flight or tour package, read the contract carefully. Unless
it guarantees to deliver services promised or give a full
refund, you may consider purchasing travel insurance. If you
are unsure of the reputation of a charter company or tour
operator, consult your local Better Business Bureau or the
American Society of Travel Agents at 1101 King Street,
Alexandria, VA 22314, Tel. (703) 739-2782. They will help
answer your questions and tell you whether or not a company
has a complaint record.
Driver's License/Auto
Insurance
If you intend to drive
overseas, check with the embassy or consulate of the
countries where you will visit to learn about requirements
for driver's license, road permits, and auto insurance. If
possible, obtain road maps of the countries that you plan to
visit before you go.
Many countries do not
recognize a U.S. driver's license. However, most countries
accept an international driver's permit. Before departure,
you can obtain one at a local office of an automobile
association. The U.S. Department of State has authorized two
organizations to issue international driving permits to
those who hold valid U.S. driver's licenses: AAA and the
American Automobile Touring Alliance. To apply for an
international driving permit, you must be at least age 18,
and you will need to present two passport-size photographs
and your valid U.S. license. Certain countries require road
permits, instead of tolls, to use on their divided highways,
and they will fine those found driving without a permit.
Car rental agencies overseas
usually provide auto insurance, but in some countries, the
required coverage is minimal. When renting a car overseas,
consider purchasing insurance coverage that is at least
equivalent to that which you carry at home.
In general, your U.S. auto
insurance does not cover you abroad. However, your policy
may apply when you drive to countries neighboring the United
States. Check with your insurer to see if your policy covers
you in Canada, Mexico, or countries south of Mexico. Even if
your policy is valid in one of these countries, it may not
meet its minimum requirements. For instance, in most of
Canada, you must carry at least $200,000 in liability
insurance, and Mexico requires that, if vehicles do not
carry theft, third party liability, and comprehensive
insurance, the owner must post a bond that could be as high
as 50% of the value of the vehicle. If you are under-insured
for a country, auto insurance can usually be purchased on
either side of the border.
U.S. Customs Pre-Registration
It is a good idea to be
informed about U.S. Customs regulations. Foreign-made
personal articles taken abroad are subject to U.S. Customs
duty and tax upon your return, unless you have proof of
prior possession such as a receipt, bill of sale, an
insurance policy, or a jeweler's appraisal. If you do not
have proof of prior possession, items such as foreign-made
watches, cameras, or tape recorders that can be identified
by serial number or permanent markings, may be taken to the
Customs office nearest you, or to the port of departure for
registration, before you depart the United States. The
certificate of registration provided can expedite free entry
of these items when you return to the United States.
Documentation for Medications
If you go abroad with
preexisting medical problems, you should carry a letter from
you doctor describing your condition, including information
on any prescription medicines that you must take. You should
also have the generic names of the drugs. Please leave
medicines in their original, labeled containers. These
precautions make customs processing easier. A doctor's
certificate, however, may not suffice as authorization to
transport all prescription drugs to all foreign countries.
Travelers have innocently been arrested for drug violations
when carrying items not considered to be narcotics in the
United States. To ensure that you do not violate the drug
laws of the countries that you visit, you may consult the
embassy or consulate of those countries for precise
information before you leave the United States.
If you have allergies,
reactions to certain medicines, or other unique medical
problems, you may consider wearing a medical alert bracelet
or carrying a similar warning.
Information About Physicians
and Hospitals Abroad
Several private organizations
provide listings of physicians abroad to international
travelers. Membership in these organizations is generally
free, although a donation may be requested. Membership
entitles you to a number traveler's medical aids, including
a directory of physicians with their overseas locations,
telephone numbers and doctors' fee schedules. The physicians
are generally English-speaking and provide medical
assistance 24 hours a day. The addresses of these medical
organizations are in travel magazines or may be available
from your travel agent.
U.S. embassies and consulates
abroad usually keep lists of physicians and hospitals in
their area. Major credit card companies also can provide the
names of local doctors and hospitals abroad.
Places to Receive Mail
If you are traveling for an
extended period, you may want to arrange for the delivery of
mail or messages to you abroad. Some banks and international
credit card companies handle mail for customers at their
overseas branches. General Delivery (Poste Restante)
services at post offices in most countries will hold mail
for you. U.S. embassies/consulates do not handle private
mail.
Learn About Dual Nationality
Whether you are a U.S.
citizen from birth or were naturalized as a U.S. citizen, a
foreign country may claim you as its citizen if:
-
You were born in that
country.
-
Your parent (s) is or was
a citizen of that country.
-
You are married to a
citizen of that country.
-
You are a naturalized
U.S. citizen, but you are still considered to be a
citizen under that country's laws.
If any of the possibilities
for dual nationality applies to you, check on your status
(including military obligations) with the embassy or
consulate of the country that might claim you as a citizen.
In particular, Americans may have problems with dual
nationality in certain countries in the Middle East, in
South America, and in Africa. Some foreign countries refuse
to recognize a dual national's U.S. citizenship and do not
allow U.S. officials access to arrested Americans.
Your Itinerary - Leave a
Paper Trail
You should leave a detailed
itinerary (with names, addresses, and phone numbers of
persons and places to be visited) with relatives or friends
in the United States so that you can be reached in an
emergency. Also, include a photocopy of your passport
information page.
Other Important Numbers
It is a good idea to make a
list of all important numbers - your passport information as
well as your credit card, traveler's checks, and airline
ticket numbers. Leave a copy of the list at home, and carry
a copy with you.
How to Deal With the
Unexpected
If you change your travel
plans, miss your return flight, or extend your trip, be sure
to notify relatives or friends at home. Should you find
yourself in an area of civil unrest or natural disaster,
please let your relatives or friends at home know as soon as
you can that you are safe. Furthermore, upon arrival in a
foreign country, you should contact the nearest U.S. embassy
or consulate to register your presence and to keep the U.S.
consul informed of your whereabouts.
Protect Your Passport
Your passport is the most
valuable document that you will carry abroad. It confirms
your U.S. citizenship. Please guard it carefully. Do not use
it as collateral for a loan or lend it to anyone. It is your
best form of identification. You will need it when you pick
up mail or check into hotels, embassies or consulates.
When entering some countries
or registering at hotels, you may be asked to fill out a
police card listing your name, passport number, destination,
local address, and reason for travel. You may be required to
leave your passport at the hotel reception desk overnight so
that it may be checked by local police officials. These are
normal procedures required by local laws. If your passport
is not returned the following morning, immediately report
the impoundment to local police authorities and to the
nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
Passport Fraud
Law enforcement records show
that U.S. passports are sometimes used for illegal entry
into the United States, or by criminals abroad seeking to
establish another identity. This can cause embarrassment to
innocent U.S. citizens whose names become associated with
illegal activities. To protect the integrity of the U.S.
passport and the security of the person bearing it, consular
officers overseas have found it necessary to take
precautions in processing lost passport cases. These
precautions may involve some delay before a new passport is
issued.
Safeguard Your Passport
Carelessness is the main
cause for losing a passport or having it stolen. You may
find that you have to carry your passport with you because
you need to show it when you cash traveler's checks or the
country that you are visiting requires you to carry it as an
identity document. When you must carry your passport, hide
it securely on your person. Do not leave it in a handbag nor
in an exposed pocket. Whenever possible, leave your passport
in the hotel safe, not in an empty hotel room, and not
packed in your luggage. One family member should not carry
all the passports for the entire family.
Guard Against Thieves
Coat pockets, handbags, and
hip pockets are particularly susceptible to theft. Thieves
will use all kinds of ploys to divert your attention just
long enough to pick your pocket and grab your purse or
wallet. These ploys include creating a disturbance, spilling
something on your clothing, or even handing you a baby to
hold!
You can try to prevent theft
by carrying your belongings in a secure manner. For example,
consider not carrying a purse or wallet when going along
crowded streets. Women who carry a shoulder bag should keep
it tucked under the arm and held securely by the strap. Men
should put their wallets in their front trouser pockets or
use money belts instead of hip pockets. A wallet wrapped in
rubber bands is more difficult to remove without notice. Be
especially cautious in a large crowd _ in the subway, on
buses, at the marketplace, at a festival, or if surrounded
by groups of vagrant children. Do not make it easy for
thieves!
Currency
Local banks usually offer
better rates of exchange than hotels, restaurants, or
stores. Rates are often posted in windows. Above all, avoid
private currency transactions. In some countries, you risk
more than being swindled or stuck with counterfeit currency
_ you risk arrest. Avoid the black market --- learn and obey
the local currency laws, wherever you go.
Shopping
Mail Small Items
When you purchase small
items, it is a good idea to mail them personally to your
home or to carry them in your luggage. This will help
prevent misdirected packages, no receipt of merchandise, or
receipt of wrong merchandise. When you mail purchases, be
sure to ask about insurance.
American embassies and
consulates abroad cannot serve as post offices. They cannot
accept, hold, or forward mail for U.S. citizens abroad.
Items mailed home are not
eligible for your $400 personal exemption. If the item that
you are mailing home is less than $200, duty will be waived.
Be sure to write on the outside of the package that it
contains goods for personal use.
Value Added Tax
Some European countries levy
a value added tax (VAT) on the items that you buy. In some
places, if you ship your purchases home, the VAT can be
waived. Other places may require you to pay the VAT, but
have a system to refund all of it or part of it to you by
mail. You can ask the store clerk for an application to
apply for the refund. The VAT refund is only for items that
you can ship or carry with you. It does not apply to food,
hotel bills, or other services. Because the rules for VAT
refunds vary from country to country, you should check with
the country's tourist office to learn the local
requirements.
Beware When Making the
Following Purchases:
Wildlife Souvenirs
Be careful when you buy
articles made from animals and plants or when you purchase
live, wild animals to bring back as pets. Some items, such
as those made from elephant ivory, sea turtles, crocodile
leather, or fur from endangered cats, and many species of
live animals cannot be brought legally into the United
States. Your wildlife souvenirs could be confiscated by
government inspectors, and you could face other penalties
for attempting to bring them into the United States. Do not
buy wildlife or wildlife products unless you are certain
that they are legal for import into the United States.
Glazed Ceramics
Beware of purchasing glazed
ceramic ware abroad. It is possible to suffer lead
poisoning, if you consume food or beverages that are stored
or served in improperly glazed ceramics. Unless the ceramics
are made by a firm with an international reputation, there
is no immediate way to be certain that a particular item is
safe. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends that
ceramic tableware purchased abroad be tested for lead
release by a commercial laboratory on your return or be used
for decorative purposes only.
Antiques
Certain countries consider
antiques to be national treasures and the "inalienable
property of the nation." In some countries, customs
authorities seize illegally purchased antiques without
compensation, and they may also levy fines on the purchaser.
Americans have been arrested and prosecuted for purchasing
antiques without a permit. Americans have even been arrested
for purchasing reproductions of antiques from street vendors
because a local authority believed the purchase was a
national treasure.
Protect yourself. In
countries where antiques are important, document your
purchases as reproductions, if that is the case, or, if they
are authentic, secure the necessary export permit. The
documentation or export permit may be available through the
country's national museum. A reputable dealer may provide
the export permit or information on how to secure one. If
you have questions about purchasing antiques, the country's
tourist office can guide you. If you still have doubts,
consult the Consular Section of the nearest U.S. embassy or
consulate. In places where Americans have had problems
because of purchasing antiques, the Consular Section is
usually well aware of such situations. Consular officers can
inform you about the local laws and the correct procedures
to follow.
Customs
It is important that you keep
all receipts for items you buy overseas. They will be
helpful in making your U.S. Customs declaration when you
return.
Obey Foreign Laws
When you are in a foreign
country, you are subject to its laws. It helps to learn
about local laws and regulations and to obey them. Try to
avoid areas of unrest and disturbance. Deal only with
authorized outlets when exchanging money or buying airline
tickets and traveler's checks. Do not deliver a
package for anyone, unless you know the person well and you
are certain that the package does not contain drugs or other
contraband.
Before you think about
selling personal effects, such as clothing, cameras, or
jewelry, you should learn about the local regulations
regarding such sales. You must adhere strictly to local laws
because the penalties that you risk are severe.
Some countries are
particularly sensitive about photographs. In general,
refrain from photographing police and military installations
and personnel; industrial structures, including harbor,
rail, and airport facilities; border areas; and scenes of
civil disorder or other public disturbance. Taking such
photographs may result in your detention, in the
confiscation of your camera and films, as well as the
imposition of fines. For information on photography
restrictions, check with the country's tourist office or its
embassy or consulate in the United States. Once abroad, you
can check with local authorities or with the Consular
Section of the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
Drug Arrests
About 3,000 Americans are
arrested abroad each year. Of these, approximately one-third
are held on drug charges. Despite repeated warnings, drug
arrests and convictions are still a common occurrence. Many
countries have stiff penalties for drug violations and
strictly enforce drug laws. If you are caught buying,
selling, carrying or using any type of drug - from hashish
to heroin, marijuana to mescaline, cocaine to Quaaludes -
you will be arrested. You are subject to foreign laws
overseas, not U.S. laws, and, if arrested, you will find
that:
-
Few countries provide a
jury trial.
-
Trials are often long,
with delays and postponements.
-
Most countries do not
accept bail.
-
Pre-trial detention,
often in solitary confinement, may last for months.
If you are convicted, you
face a possible sentence of:
-
2 - 10 years in many
countries
-
A minimum of 6 years hard
labor and a stiff fine in some countries
-
The death penalty in a
number of countries (e.g. Malaysia, Pakistan, Turkey,
Thailand, Saudi Arabia)
During recent years, there
has been an increase in the number of women arrested abroad.
These are usually women who serve as drug couriers or
"mules" and who believe that they can make fast money and
have a vacation at the same time, without getting caught.
Instead of a vacation, they receive a permanent residence in
an overseas jail.
U.S. citizens have been
arrested abroad on drug charges because they possessed just
one ounce or less of marijuana. The risk of being jailed for
just one marijuana cigarette is simply not worth it!
Once you are arrested, the
U.S. consular officer CANNOT get you out of jail nor out of
the country!
Likewise, the U.S. consular
officer CANNOT
PLEASE REMEMBER!
-
If someone offers you a
free trip and some quick and easy money, just for
bringing back a suitcase...SAY NO!
-
Do not carry a package
for anyone, no matter how small it may be.
-
Do not let anyone pack
your suitcases for you while you are abroad.
-
If the drugs are in you
suitcase, you will be caught.
Do not get involved with
illegal drugs overseas! It can spoil more than your
vacation. It can ruin your life!
Legal Aid
Because you are subject to
local laws abroad, there is little that a U.S. consular
officer can do for you, if you encounter legal difficulties.
As stated previously, a consular officer cannot get you out
of jail. What American officials can do is limited by both
foreign and U.S. laws.
Although U.S. consular
officers cannot serve as attorneys nor give legal advice,
they can provide a list of local attorneys and help you find
adequate legal representation. The lists of attorneys are
carefully compiled from local bar association lists and
responses to questionnaires, but neither the Department of
State nor U.S. embassies or consulates abroad can assume
responsibility for the caliber, competence, or professional
integrity of the attorneys.
If you are arrested, you
should ask the authorities to notify a consular officer at
the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Under international
agreements and practice, you have the right to talk to the
U.S. consul. If you are denied this right, try to have
someone get in touch with the U.S. consular officer for you.
When alerted, U.S. officials
will visit you, advise you of your rights according to local
laws, and contact your family and friends, if you wish. They
will do whatever they can to protect your legitimate
interests and to ensure that you are not discriminated
against under local law. U.S. consuls can transfer money,
food, and clothing to the prison authorities from your
family or friends. They will try to get relief, if you are
held under inhumane or unhealthy conditions or treated less
favorably than others in the same situation.
Help From American Consuls
Abroad
When to Register With the
U.S. Embassy
You should register at the
Consular Section of the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate:
-
If you find yourself in a
country or area that is experiencing civil unrest, has
an unstable political climate, or is undergoing a
natural disaster, such as an earthquake or a hurricane.
-
If you plan to go to a
country where there are no U.S. officials. In such
cases, you should register at the U.S. embassy or
consulate in an adjacent country, leave an itinerary
with the Consular Section, ask about conditions in the
country that you will visit, and ask about the third
country that may represent U.S. interests there.
-
If you plan to stay in a
country longer than one month.
Registration at the U.S.
Embassy or Consulate makes your presence and whereabouts
known, in case it is necessary for a consular officer to
contact you in an emergency. During a disaster overseas,
American consular officers can assist in evacuation were
that to become necessary. But they cannot assist you if they
do not know where your are. Registration also makes it
easier to apply for a replacement passport, if yours is lost
or stolen.
If you are traveling with an
escorted tour to areas experiencing political uncertainty or
other problems, find out if registration at the U.S. embassy
or consulate is being done for you by your tour operator. If
it is not, or if you are traveling on your own, you should
leave a copy of your itinerary at the nearest U.S. embassy
or consulate soon after you arrive.
What U.S. Consuls Can Do To
Help You
U.S. consular officers are located at U.S. embassies and
consulates in most countries overseas. They are available to
advise and help you, if you are in any serious trouble.
In the Case of Destitution
If you become destitute
abroad, the U.S. consul can help you get in touch with your
family, friends, bank, or employer and tell you how to
arrange for them to send funds for you. These funds can
sometimes be wired to you through the Department of State.
In the Case of Illness or
Injury
If you become ill or injured
while abroad, you can contact the nearest U.S. embassy or
consulate for a list of local doctors, dentists, medical
specialists, clinics and hospitals. If your illness or
injury is serious, the U.S. consul can help you find medical
assistance and, at your request, will inform your family or
friends of your condition. If necessary, a consul can assist
in the transfer of funds from the United States. Payment of
hospital and other expenses is your responsibility. U.S.
consular officers cannot supply you with medication.
During an emergency, if you
are unable to communicate, the consul will check your
passport for the name and address of any relative, friend,
or legal representative whom you wish to have notified.
Because the U.S. Government cannot pay for medical
evacuations, it is advisable to have private medical
insurance to cover this.
Marriage Abroad
U.S. diplomatic and consular
officials do not have the authority to perform marriages
overseas. Marriage abroad must be performed in accordance
with local law. There are always documentary requirements,
and in some countries, there is a lengthy residence
requirement before a marriage may take place.
Before traveling, ask the
embassy or consulate of the country in which you plan to
marry about their regulations and how to prepare to marry
abroad. Once abroad, the Consular Section of the nearest
U.S. embassy or consulate may be able to answer some of your
questions, but it is your responsibility to deal with local
civil authorities.
Birth Abroad
A child born abroad to a U.S.
citizen parent or parents generally acquires U.S.
citizenship at birth. As soon as possible after the birth,
the U.S. parent or parents should contact the nearest U.S.
embassy or consulate to have a Report of Birth Abroad of
a Citizen of the United States of America prepared. This
document serves as proof of acquisition of U.S. citizenship
and is acceptable evidence for obtaining a U.S. passport and
for most other purposes where one must show a birth
certificate or proof of citizenship.
Death Abroad
When a U.S. citizen dies
abroad, the consular officer reports the death to the next
of kin or legal representative and arranges to obtain from
them the necessary private funds for local burial or return
of the body to the United States. Before you begin your
trip, please complete in pencil the address page in the
front of your passport. Please provide the name, address and
telephone number of someone to be contacted in an emergency.
Do not give the names of your traveling companions, in case
the entire party is involved in the same accident.
Because the U.S. Government
cannot pay for local burial or shipment of remains to the
United States, it is worthwhile to have insurance to cover
this possibility. Following a death, a Report of the
Death of An American Citizen (Optional Form 180) is
prepared by the consular officer to provide the facts
concerning the death and the custody of the personal estate
of the deceased. Under certain circumstances, a consular
officer becomes the provisional conservator of a deceased
American's estate and arranges for the disposition of those
effects.
A Variety of Non-Emergency
Services
Consular officers provide
non-emergency services as well. These include information
about Selective Service registration, travel safety
information, absentee voting, and the acquisition or loss of
U.S. citizenship. They arrange for the transfer of Social
Security and other Federal benefits to beneficiaries
residing abroad, provide U.S. tax forms, and notarize
documents. Consuls can also provide information on how to
obtain foreign public documents.
What U.S. Consuls Cannot Do
U.S. consular officers will
do their best to assist U.S. citizens abroad. However, they
must devote priority time and energies to those Americans
who find themselves in the most serious legal, medical, or
financial difficulties.
Because of limited resources,
consuls cannot provide routine or commercial-type services.
They cannot act as travel agents, information bureaus,
banks, or law enforcement officers. U.S. Federal law forbids
a consular officer from acting as your lawyer. Consular
officers cannot find you employment; get you visas,
residence permits or driving permits; act as interpreters;
search for missing luggage; call your credit card company or
bank; replace stolen traveler's checks; or settle disputes
with hotel managers. However, they can tell you how to get
assistance on these matters, as well as other issues.
Return Transportation
You should confirm your
return reservation at least twice, and at least 72 hours
before your scheduled departure. Whenever possible, obtain a
written confirmation. If you confirm your return reservation
by phone, record the time, day, and the name of the agent
who took your call. If your name does not appear on the
reservations list, you have no recourse and may find
yourself stranded.
Departure Tax
Some countries levy an
airport departure tax on travelers, which can be as high as
$50. Please ask the airline or a travel agent about this
tax. Make certain to have enough money at the end of your
trip so that you will be able to get on the plane.
Immigration and Customs
If a passport was required
for your trip, have it ready when you go through Immigration
and Customs. If you took other documents with you, such as
an International Certificate of Vaccination, a medical
letter, or a Customs certificate of registration for
foreign-made personal articles, have them ready, also. Have
your receipts handy, in case you need to support your
customs declaration. When returning to the United States by
car from Mexico or Canada, have your certificate of vehicle
registration available. It is a good idea to pack your
baggage in a way to make inspection easier. For example,
pack the articles you acquired abroad separately, if
possible.
Articles acquired abroad and
brought back with you are subject to duty and Internal
Revenue tax. U.S. Customs currently allows each U.S. citizen
to bring back $400 worth of merchandise duty free, provided
the traveler has been outside the United States for at least
48 hours, has not already used this exemption within the
preceding 30 day period, and provided the traveler can
present the purchases upon his or her arrival at the port of
entry. The next $1,000 worth of items brought back for
personal use or gifts are subject to duty at a flat 10%
rate. (Your duty-free exemption may include 100 cigars, 200
cigarettes, and one liter of wine, beer or liquor.)
There are two groups of
destinations from which the duty-free exemption is higher.
These are a group of 24 countries and dependencies in the
Caribbean and Central America from which the exemption is
$600, and a group of U.S. insular possessions (the U.S.
Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and Guam), from which the
exemption is $1,200. For details, you can consult your
travel agent or the U.S. Customs Service publication,
Know Before You Go.
