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surferr3
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I leave for LAX in the US on Wednesday. I have bought approx 10 dvd's, 2 omega watches, a couple of silver bracelets and a few other souveneirs. Having never traveled internationally, what should I declare when entering LAX? I know I fill out a declaration form on the flight.... Should I leave it blank? If asked by customs about what I have purchased in LOS any veteran recommendations on what to say?I've checked previous threads and found some info on DVD's but being a first time international traveler wanted to cover my bases.
Thanks,
surferr3
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Thai Girls : Meet Sexy Thai Girls
Posted on: 7:44 pm on Oct. 26, 2003
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ringthebells
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assume the omegas and DVD's are copys.
hide them.
rtb.
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Bangkok Women : Meet Sensual Bangkok Women
Posted on: 8:09 pm on Oct. 26, 2003
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jimaz
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Goods up to $100 can be brought in tax-free. I always write '0' for the total amount of goods brought in. If they would search your bag, just tell them it was all bought for a total of less than $100, so you didn't think it was important to write anything down on the customs form. Remove all pricetags. Act surprised if they tell you the DVDs are illegal copies. You had no idea, being out of the country for the first time and all...
Az Jim
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Thai Girls : Meet Sexy Thai Girls
Posted on: 8:59 pm on Oct. 26, 2003
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Deep File
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The new ceiling on tax-free purchases is $800 so it makes very little sense to risk declaring "zero". This is not an exact science, but I always declare a "reasonable" amount (normal tourist acquisitions) because it seems to me that very few travelers really acquire "nothing". Put the legit stuff in a bag that's handy in case they ask to see it. Ditch the copy stuff somewhere else and hope they don't go thru everything.
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Sexy Bangkok Girls
Posted on: 9:31 pm on Oct. 26, 2003
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Vancouver Jay
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Throw the DVDs in your checked bag and don't declare them. Declare the watches at retail value as though they were real: wear one, put the other in your carry-on, preferably in a gift box.
The other things, silver jewelry or anything else not subject to intellectual property issues, declare as well, but undervalue it so you stay under the $800 cap.
Keep only the receipts that help you, lose the rest.
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Thai Women : Meet Matured Thai Women
Posted on: 9:59 pm on Oct. 26, 2003
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Mr Alan
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You are allowed to bring in one counterfeit item of each kind (handbag, watch, etc) into the USA. Put the 2 watches in different places in your luggage. They are usually looking for people who bring in large quantities at once, but there is always the possibility your will selected for a random search.
Copyrighted music and software is not protected under the one per item exemption. What I do is to bring some legitimate CD's with me (or CD-R copies that I have made of my own CD's) and rubber band them around the ones I purchased in LOS. I store them with my portable CD player. I remove the LOS packaging that came with the DVD or Software CD (but write down an serial numbers or software keys I need).
On your declaration form, you do not need to itemize anything if the total is less than $800 (as mentioned by Deep File). So put down the actual amount you spent, regardless of whether the items are counterfeit.
If you get a haircut and have recently shaved (or trim your beard\mustache), and wear decent clothes, chances are much less that you will be searched. They are looking for drug smugglers more than pirated DVD’s.
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Bangkok Women : Meet Beautiful Thai Girls
Posted on: 11:14 pm on Oct. 26, 2003
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expatjack
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Just from experience, LAX is not as difficult as other airports. I concur with all the recommendations above, especially the DVD's and watches. Look very presentable even though you've had a long flight. Do not drink to much and try to be alert. They like to ask questions like "did you pack your own suitcase", or "is all of this yours". A quick response saying "yes sir" usually gets you right thru. If a slow response or you don't understand the question, it's usually secondary customs where you wind up and you don't want to go there as not only is it a long wait, but they can be very nasty. No sure what your nationality is or your flight plans. If it's straight from LOS, you don't have much choice, if you change planes like in Japan or Korea, I always say I arrived from here and not LOS. Another question I frequently get is do you have more than 10,000 USD on you, including traveller's checks. Always say no, otherwise it can be a paperwork nightmare. Also if you are not a US citizen, they will ask what is your purpose for entering the USA. Make sure you have a good story lined up.... examples: tourist is usually pretty good, visiting friends not so good, visiting family is 50/50, and if you can prove business is a good answer. Saying just travelling thru is not a good answer. Again all applies if you are not a US citizen otherwise disregard. My suggestion again is be alert even though you're tired from the flight and answer "yes sir" or"yes mam". Wear the watch, hide the others and yes the best plan is to buy a legit DVD and put the others in the same container and yes in a hand carry bag as the other members have suggested.
Hope some of this helps, I usually go thru New York or Chicago, but never ever go thru Detroit, they are the worse. At LAX, I remember they have quite a few undercover people watching you pick up your luggage. Again respect and alertness with these people, they have often escorted me right thru the line and out the door saving me an exteme amount of time. Also, LAX is famous for Dog sniffers. They are everywhere. Again, hope some of this helps.
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Attractive Thai Girls
Posted on: 8:12 am on Oct. 27, 2003
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jjsushi
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Everyone gave you good advice. Put a value on your customs form because $0 will attract attention. There is no need to "hide" anything because if they search your luggage they will find everything. You can't outsmart customs bcause they have just about seen everything. If they ask you where you bought the stuff you say off of the streets and you paid $5 each for the watches(they won't ask, unless they want to hassle you). Customs is not looking to confiscate the little trinkets you have. They are looking for drugs. They won't care about the trinkets you are bringing as long as you don't have what they consider "commercial" quantities, they won't bother you.
Err on the side of caution and you wll be okay.
Don't get offended by the questions and don't be flippant in your answers. Don't lie(about serious questions or anything that can be proven) becuase lying is against the law and you could be charged and fined. Every agent that searches you has to fill out a report afterwards so what you say(if it is suspicious ) will be placed in that report. That info can be a determination as to whether you get a "tagged" passport and stopped on future arrivals.
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Thai Girls : Meet Active Thai Girls
Posted on: 12:08 pm on Oct. 27, 2003
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Mr Alan
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Just to clarify, the duty-free personal exemption for entering the US is now $800 for returning US residents and $100 for non-US residents (those who get an entry visa stamped on their passport).
The $100 for non-residents only includes items that will stay in the US after you leave, and does not include personal items that you brought into the USA and will take back with you.
If the amount is greater than $800 (or $100), then you list the items on the back of the customs form, and they will calculate a duty fee on the amount over $800.
The duty-free personal exemption has nothing to do with items purchased in a duty-free shop. Any item purchased abroad that you bring home must be included in the $800 amount. The fact that you purchased an item in a duty-free shop simply means that the retailer did not have to pay import duties in the country where you bought it, and “may” have passed the savings on to you (but as Kramer once said, duty-free is the biggest rip-off in retail).
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Thai Women : Meet Matured Thai Women
Posted on: 1:34 pm on Oct. 27, 2003
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