Do I have to declare gifts and personal goods at United States customs?

Yes — it has to be declared to United States customs on arrival.

What happens if I do not declare gifts and personal goods 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.

Can I post or ship gifts and personal goods 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 is outside this allowance.

Can I take gifts and personal goods out of United States?

United States publishes no separate rule for taking gifts and personal goods out; the destination's rules are what will apply.

Does the United States limit for gifts and personal goods apply per person or per family?

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

Does the United States rule for gifts and personal goods change depending on where I travel from?

Yes. United States publishes a different rule for arrivals from AS, GU, MP, VI.

Where does this rule come from?

U.S. Customs and Border Protection states it in 19 CFR 148.33 - Articles acquired abroad. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-16. The sentence it rests on reads: “$800, and provided that the articles accompany the returning resident”

Is the gifts and personal goods rule in United States different for residents, visitors or crew?

This allowance applies to Resident.

How does United States compare with other countries on gifts and personal goods?

Of the 21 countries covered here, 0 prohibit gifts and personal goods, 14 limit it and 7 let it through. United States is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Gifts and personal goods can I bring into United States?

Restricted

You can bring Gifts and personal goods into United States only within the stated limits.

Extra conditions apply

Cabin baggage —

Checked baggage —

Declaration Above allowance

Limit 800 USD

What you need to know

No stated quantity
Value cap: 800 USD
Channels: Carried with the traveler, Sent after, Sent ahead
Extra conditions apply
No stated quantity
Value cap: 200 USD
Channels: Carried with the traveler
No stated quantity
Value cap: 100 USD
Channels: Carried with the traveler
Extra conditions apply
No stated quantity
Value cap: 200 USD
Channels: Carried with the traveler
Extra conditions apply

Important

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

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

19 CFR 148.33 - Articles acquired abroad U.S. Customs and Border Protection
19 CFR 148.35 - Length of stay for exemption of articles acquired abroad U.S. Customs and Border Protection
19 CFR 148.36 - Frequency of allowance of exemption for articles acquired abroad U.S. Customs and Border Protection
19 CFR 148.51 -- Special exemption for personal or household articles. U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Office of the Federal Register (eCFR)
19 CFR 148.51 - Special exemption for personal or household articles U.S. Customs and Border Protection
19 CFR 148.44 -- Gifts. U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Office of the Federal Register (eCFR)
19 CFR 148.44 - Gifts U.S. Customs and Border Protection
19 CFR 148.41 -- Articles carried through the United States. U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Office of the Federal Register (eCFR)

Questions about Gifts and personal goods in United States

How much gifts and personal goods can I bring into United States?: United States allows 800 USD 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 gifts and personal goods at United States customs?: Yes — it has to be declared to United States customs on arrival.
What happens if I do not declare gifts and personal goods 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.
Can I post or ship gifts and personal goods 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 is outside this allowance.
Can I take gifts and personal goods out of United States?: United States publishes no separate rule for taking gifts and personal goods out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the United States limit for gifts and personal goods apply per person or per family?: Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.
Does the United States rule for gifts and personal goods change depending on where I travel from?: Yes. United States publishes a different rule for arrivals from AS, GU, MP, VI.
Where does this rule come from?: U.S. Customs and Border Protection states it in 19 CFR 148.33 - Articles acquired abroad. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-16. The sentence it rests on reads: “$800, and provided that the articles accompany the returning resident”
Is the gifts and personal goods rule in United States different for residents, visitors or crew?: This allowance applies to Resident.
How does United States compare with other countries on gifts and personal goods?: Of the 21 countries covered here, 0 prohibit gifts and personal goods, 14 limit it and 7 let it through. United States is among the ones that set a limit.

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

Accompanying goods, non-commercial (flat-rate band) Audio and video recorder/player Driver and crew border-shop bundle GPS device Game console Gifts sent by post