Customs inspectors examine the luggage of all travelers to the country. All articles acquired abroad must be declared---that is, they must be identified and their value given to an inspector. If a person fails to declare an article or understates its value, the article may be taken away and the individual may be fined. In the United States, articles totaling up to $ 400 are exempt (free from any duty) if they meet certain regulations. For example, the articles must be for personal use, and the person's trip must have lasted at least 48 hours.
Also the articles cannot be prohibited or restricted by federal regulations. The $ 400 exemption can be claimed by a person once every 30 days. The 48--hour rule does not apply to trips to Mexico or the Virgin Islands. If a traveler cannot claim the $ 400 exemption because of the 48-hour or 30-day restriction, he or she may claim a $25 exemption. However, a person must pay duties on all articles if their total value exceeds $ 25. Duty rates depend on the type, value, and quantity of the articles.
