Do I have to declare personal-use cosmetics (each item) at United States customs?

Only above the allowance. Up to 500 milliliters of personal-use cosmetics (each item) 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 personal-use cosmetics (each item) 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 personal-use cosmetics (each item)?

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 personal-use cosmetics (each item) 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 personal-use cosmetics (each item) out of United States?

United States publishes no separate rule for taking personal-use cosmetics (each item) out; the destination's rules are what will apply.

Does the United States limit for personal-use cosmetics (each item) 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 personal-use cosmetics (each item)?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit personal-use cosmetics (each item), 4 limit it and 16 let it through. United States is among the more permissive.

How much Personal-use cosmetics (each item) can I bring into United States?

Restricted

You can bring Personal-use cosmetics (each item) into United States only within the stated limits.

Cabin baggage —

Checked baggage —

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 Personal-use cosmetics (each item) in United States

How much personal-use cosmetics (each item) can I bring into United States?: United States allows 500 milliliters of personal-use cosmetics (each item) 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 personal-use cosmetics (each item) at United States customs?: Only above the allowance. Up to 500 milliliters of personal-use cosmetics (each item) 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 personal-use cosmetics (each item) 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 personal-use cosmetics (each item)?: 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 personal-use cosmetics (each item) 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 personal-use cosmetics (each item) out of United States?: United States publishes no separate rule for taking personal-use cosmetics (each item) out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the United States limit for personal-use cosmetics (each item) 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 personal-use cosmetics (each item)?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit personal-use cosmetics (each item), 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

Controlled substances for personal medical use (schedules II-V) Controlled/prescription medicine Dietary supplements and sports nutrition External-use medicine (personal use) Medicine containing stimulant raw materials Medicines containing narcotic or psychotropic substances