Do I have to declare perfume and toilet water at United States customs?

Only above the allowance. Up to 500 milliliters of perfume and toilet water there is nothing to declare; beyond it you take the goods through the red channel and pay the duty.

What happens if I do not declare perfume and toilet water in United States?

Under 19 CFR 148.102, if you declare the excess yourself: a flat-rate charge is applied to the excess; the normal duty becomes payable on the excess. Under 19 CFR 148.18, if the goods are found without being declared: the goods are confiscated; an administrative fine is imposed. Under 19 U.S.C. 1497: the goods are confiscated; an administrative fine is imposed.

Do duty-free purchases count toward the United States allowance for perfume and toilet water?

Yes. What you buy in an arrival duty-free shop comes out of the same allowance, so the shop does not add to what you may already be carrying.

Can I post or ship perfume and toilet water to United States instead of carrying it?

Not under this allowance. It covers goods a traveller carries; a parcel is an import and is assessed under the postal rules instead. Baggage sent before or after you travels under the same allowance.

Can I take perfume and toilet water out of United States?

United States publishes no separate rule for taking perfume and toilet water out; the destination's rules are what will apply.

Does the United States limit for perfume and toilet water apply per person or per family?

Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.

Where does this rule come from?

U.S. Customs and Border Protection states it in What Can I Bring? Complete List. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “The total aggregate quantity per person cannot exceed 2 kg (70 ounces) or 2 L (68 fluid ounces). The capacity of each container must not exceed 0.5 kg (18 ounces) or 500 ml (17 fluid ounces).”

How does United States compare with other countries on perfume and toilet water?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit perfume and toilet water, 4 limit it and 16 let it through. United States is among the more permissive.

How much Perfume and toilet water can I bring into United States?

Restricted

You can bring Perfume and toilet water into United States only within the stated limits.

Carried Limited

Declaration Above allowance

Limit 500 milliliter

What you need to know

500 milliliter (16.91 fl oz)
Channels: Carried with the traveler

Important

This allowance applies per person, not per family or group.

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

What Can I Bring? Complete List Transportation Security Administration

Questions about Perfume and toilet water in United States

How much perfume and toilet water can I bring into United States?: United States allows 500 milliliters of perfume and toilet water per traveller. Above that the goods are treated as an import and duty becomes payable. The allowance is per traveller and cannot be pooled between people.
Do I have to declare perfume and toilet water at United States customs?: Only above the allowance. Up to 500 milliliters of perfume and toilet water there is nothing to declare; beyond it you take the goods through the red channel and pay the duty.
What happens if I do not declare perfume and toilet water in United States?: Under 19 CFR 148.102, if you declare the excess yourself: a flat-rate charge is applied to the excess; the normal duty becomes payable on the excess. Under 19 CFR 148.18, if the goods are found without being declared: the goods are confiscated; an administrative fine is imposed. Under 19 U.S.C. 1497: the goods are confiscated; an administrative fine is imposed.
Do duty-free purchases count toward the United States allowance for perfume and toilet water?: Yes. What you buy in an arrival duty-free shop comes out of the same allowance, so the shop does not add to what you may already be carrying.
Can I post or ship perfume and toilet water to United States instead of carrying it?: Not under this allowance. It covers goods a traveller carries; a parcel is an import and is assessed under the postal rules instead. Baggage sent before or after you travels under the same allowance.
Can I take perfume and toilet water out of United States?: United States publishes no separate rule for taking perfume and toilet water out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the United States limit for perfume and toilet water apply per person or per family?: Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.
Where does this rule come from?: U.S. Customs and Border Protection states it in What Can I Bring? Complete List. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “The total aggregate quantity per person cannot exceed 2 kg (70 ounces) or 2 L (68 fluid ounces). The capacity of each container must not exceed 0.5 kg (18 ounces) or 500 ml (17 fluid ounces).”
How does United States compare with other countries on perfume and toilet water?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit perfume and toilet water, 4 limit it and 16 let it through. United States is among the more permissive.

Related items

Accompanied cash Accompanying goods, non-commercial (flat-rate band) Agricultural/forestry/fishery/livestock products (general sub-cap) Alcohol and alcoholic beverages above 22% vol (or undenatured ethyl alcohol 80% vol and over)

Related countries

Australia Canada China France

Other items in this group

Cargo liquids in checked baggage (Zamzam water, edible oil, liquid food) Duty-free liquids in a sealed security bag Liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs) Medicine and baby food/milk liquids exempted from the LAG limit Skincare and make-up products