| US Customs allows individuals to send bona fide gifts
from a foreign country to individuals in this country if the value
in the foreign country is less than $100, and assuming you have
proper documentation to support the claim. There is no duty or formal
Customs entry required in this case. Be advised, however, that Customs
is not going to believe these are gifts if you have 30 dresses, or 20
small tables or 50 pounds of coffee. You are only going to cause
yourself more trouble if you try to pull a fast one on Customs. The
minute you say "I have 12 crates of gifts at the airport", the Customs
officer will tell you to get a broker because Customs has heard this
story before. It is at Customs discretion to make a determination
regarding whether your shipment of gifts is actually a commercial
shipment in disguise, and Customs is rarely wrong as to the true nature
of these kinds of shipments. Don't waste your time and money trying to go around the system. Use a reputable Customs Broker who will advise the proper documents and information required to get your shipment into the country. Call one before you need one!
Jean D. Duncan Customs Brokers, Inc. (404) 766-0207
|