How to carry phones as presents to the USA from Europe?
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I am traveling from Denmark to USA and I have two new phones. I was wondering if it's better to put them in my hand luggage. What is the best solution?
usa customs-and-immigration international-travel cellphones
edited Jun 20 at 14:17
dda
13.9k32648
asked Jun 20 at 12:22
victor alimasi
392
add a comment |Â
up vote
7
down vote
favorite
I am traveling from Denmark to USA and I have two new phones. I was wondering if it's better to put them in my hand luggage. What is the best solution?
usa customs-and-immigration international-travel cellphones
edited Jun 20 at 14:17
dda
13.9k32648
asked Jun 20 at 12:22
victor alimasi
392
4
"Best solution" according to what criteria?
– pipe
Jun 20 at 14:46
5
Keep in mind that the phones may very well be cheaper in the US. Denmark has 25% VAT. The original retail price for an iPhone X, for instance, is $380 higher in Denmark than the US.
– Zach Lipton
Jun 20 at 19:05
From personal experience, I would advise you to put them in your hand luggage. Don't put them in your checked-in luggage. I had a phone (that I sent with a friend as a gift) stolen while on layover.
– Kodos Johnson
Jun 21 at 0:44
Probably too late, but the best solution might be to buy them from duty free. International warranty service can be challenging.
– Criggie
Jun 21 at 2:42
add a comment |Â
up vote
7
down vote
favorite
up vote
7
down vote
favorite
I am traveling from Denmark to USA and I have two new phones. I was wondering if it's better to put them in my hand luggage. What is the best solution?
usa customs-and-immigration international-travel cellphones
edited Jun 20 at 14:17
dda
13.9k32648
asked Jun 20 at 12:22
victor alimasi
392
I am traveling from Denmark to USA and I have two new phones. I was wondering if it's better to put them in my hand luggage. What is the best solution?
usa customs-and-immigration international-travel cellphones
edited Jun 20 at 14:17
dda
13.9k32648
asked Jun 20 at 12:22
victor alimasi
392
edited Jun 20 at 14:17
dda
13.9k32648
edited Jun 20 at 14:17
dda
13.9k32648
edited Jun 20 at 14:17
dda
13.9k32648
13.9k32648
asked Jun 20 at 12:22
victor alimasi
392
asked Jun 20 at 12:22
victor alimasi
392
asked Jun 20 at 12:22
victor alimasi
392
392
4
"Best solution" according to what criteria?
– pipe
Jun 20 at 14:46
5
Keep in mind that the phones may very well be cheaper in the US. Denmark has 25% VAT. The original retail price for an iPhone X, for instance, is $380 higher in Denmark than the US.
– Zach Lipton
Jun 20 at 19:05
From personal experience, I would advise you to put them in your hand luggage. Don't put them in your checked-in luggage. I had a phone (that I sent with a friend as a gift) stolen while on layover.
– Kodos Johnson
Jun 21 at 0:44
Probably too late, but the best solution might be to buy them from duty free. International warranty service can be challenging.
– Criggie
Jun 21 at 2:42
add a comment |Â
4
"Best solution" according to what criteria?
– pipe
Jun 20 at 14:46
5
Keep in mind that the phones may very well be cheaper in the US. Denmark has 25% VAT. The original retail price for an iPhone X, for instance, is $380 higher in Denmark than the US.
– Zach Lipton
Jun 20 at 19:05
From personal experience, I would advise you to put them in your hand luggage. Don't put them in your checked-in luggage. I had a phone (that I sent with a friend as a gift) stolen while on layover.
– Kodos Johnson
Jun 21 at 0:44
Probably too late, but the best solution might be to buy them from duty free. International warranty service can be challenging.
– Criggie
Jun 21 at 2:42
4
4
"Best solution" according to what criteria?
– pipe
Jun 20 at 14:46
"Best solution" according to what criteria?
– pipe
Jun 20 at 14:46
5
5
Keep in mind that the phones may very well be cheaper in the US. Denmark has 25% VAT. The original retail price for an iPhone X, for instance, is $380 higher in Denmark than the US.
– Zach Lipton
Jun 20 at 19:05
Keep in mind that the phones may very well be cheaper in the US. Denmark has 25% VAT. The original retail price for an iPhone X, for instance, is $380 higher in Denmark than the US.
– Zach Lipton
Jun 20 at 19:05
From personal experience, I would advise you to put them in your hand luggage. Don't put them in your checked-in luggage. I had a phone (that I sent with a friend as a gift) stolen while on layover.
– Kodos Johnson
Jun 21 at 0:44
From personal experience, I would advise you to put them in your hand luggage. Don't put them in your checked-in luggage. I had a phone (that I sent with a friend as a gift) stolen while on layover.
– Kodos Johnson
Jun 21 at 0:44
Probably too late, but the best solution might be to buy them from duty free. International warranty service can be challenging.
– Criggie
Jun 21 at 2:42
Probably too late, but the best solution might be to buy them from duty free. International warranty service can be challenging.
– Criggie
Jun 21 at 2:42
add a comment |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
up vote
16
down vote
The best solution is to indeed put them into the hand luggage and then watch them closely during the flight. This reduces the risk of them being stolen in transit - at least if you are not sleeping on the flight, that is. It is allowed to transport them in the checked luggage, though.
As far as customs is concerned, it does not really matter. When entering the US, you will have to declare everything that stays in the US (see https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/975/kw/Duty%20Free%20allowances%20for%20visitors if you are not a US resident), and you will do so at the airport at which the flight to the US lands. Unless the phones are quite cheap, you will have to pay customs. Presents also have to be declared, so this makes no difference here. Don't gift-wrap the phones in Denmark so that the customs officer can have a look.
answered Jun 20 at 12:29
DCTLib
7,2101837
The question says "to USA from Denmark", not the other way around. Though note than in most international airports in the EU, there are no separate "non-EU parts" and "EU part of the airport". Bags from all flights are delivered in the same baggage claim hall, and it is up to travelers to choose the right lanes through customs afterwards, depending on whether they were arriving from within the EU or not.
– Henning Makholm
Jun 20 at 12:32
Thanks, @HenningMakholm - Is corrected. At least in Frankfurt, I have seen a hand-luggage-only customs checkpoint for transiting between terminals A and B.
– DCTLib
Jun 20 at 12:39
4
@sP_ The difference is that your phone doesn't stay in the US, it leaves the US when you leave (not taxed). Where as a phone you are bringing as a gift is an import (taxed).
– user3067860
Jun 20 at 17:48
1
@sP_ Yeah, they're trained to look for those sorts of shenanigans. Some of my coworkers routinely travel with multiple laptops, and often get grilled about their plans for them.
– Sneftel
Jun 20 at 18:09
1
@sP_ Incidentally, though: in my experience, if you're not too far over the personal exemption amount, you're fairly likely to get waved through US customs without having to pay any duties.
– Sneftel
Jun 20 at 18:11
 |Â
show 6 more comments
up vote
5
down vote
Your best bet is going to depend on size. If you can, Carry on (hand luggage) is usually safer. Luggage handlers don't always take the most care with the luggage.
DCTLib has it right but there is a bit more to add.
I will say stuff in this answer that is not 100% factually correct, but the point is to have you have an easy time. Note that the workers doing the inspection and collection won't have all the right info either, so it's better to just go with "common knowledge" then try to pass on an edge case.
Once at your destination you will have to declare any items that are going to stay in the U.S. Gifts and the like should be in their original boxes if you can, and you should have receipts if you can. This is important, not because of rules, but because it just makes things easier.
If things have receipts then there is no doubt about the value declared. This is especially true for items that have a much higher price here than there.
If things are in original boxes, then, again, you have less confusion about what a product is. Especially true for odd or interesting products.
Don't try to bring food of any kind. It's just a hassle.
With electronics be very aware that they may be illegal in the US or may not function on the same frequencies in the US. Thinks like DVD players and game consoles are still region locked (as are the media you use to play on them), and all electronic devices that send or receive any kind of a signal in the US have to have that FCC statement. Customs won't care about that (or at least I have never seen them care), and I don't know of any task force running around checking for FCC statements on things, but it would suck to bring over a new X-Box only to find out it won't work here.
Don't wrap or seal any of the presents. Be prepared to have to open and display them.
Finally, stay away from anything odd, or unknown in the US or be prepared to explain/demo it. Again original boxes help with this. This means having phones ready to turn on, laptops in a state where they can be powered on, etc. etc. It's not really customs job to even look at these things unless they suspect some kind of fraud or smuggling, but... While you would win, after a fashion, a dispute with an agent about not having to turn on that odd-looking camera, and how they really even shouldn't be looking at it, just maybe checking off that it's on the form. It's usually faster to just power it up and let them see.
As a bonus, when filling out the forms be as open as you can be. For example "Digital Camera" instead of "Canon PowerShot ELPH 180 20.0 MP Compact Digital Camera - 720p - Red". If you get an overzealous agent, and they see "Canon PowerShot ELPH 180 20.0 MP Compact Digital Camera - 720p - Red" They could actually try to see the part numbers and sizes and such, but "digital camera" there's not a lot to check.
For example:
Declaring 10 items in a brown cardboard box means pulling out each item and matching it to the description on the form.
Declaring 10 items in the original packaging means just looking at the boxes, except that one marked "Digital Camera $50" that is in a 4' x 4' x 4' box. They may ask you to open that one.
answered Jun 20 at 16:18
coteyr
1,787215
I assume they ask you to power on the camera because they want to make sure it's actually a camera and not an enclosure for hiding, erm, goods.
– Mehrdad
Jun 21 at 3:00
add a comment |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
16
down vote
The best solution is to indeed put them into the hand luggage and then watch them closely during the flight. This reduces the risk of them being stolen in transit - at least if you are not sleeping on the flight, that is. It is allowed to transport them in the checked luggage, though.
As far as customs is concerned, it does not really matter. When entering the US, you will have to declare everything that stays in the US (see https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/975/kw/Duty%20Free%20allowances%20for%20visitors if you are not a US resident), and you will do so at the airport at which the flight to the US lands. Unless the phones are quite cheap, you will have to pay customs. Presents also have to be declared, so this makes no difference here. Don't gift-wrap the phones in Denmark so that the customs officer can have a look.
answered Jun 20 at 12:29
DCTLib
7,2101837
The question says "to USA from Denmark", not the other way around. Though note than in most international airports in the EU, there are no separate "non-EU parts" and "EU part of the airport". Bags from all flights are delivered in the same baggage claim hall, and it is up to travelers to choose the right lanes through customs afterwards, depending on whether they were arriving from within the EU or not.
– Henning Makholm
Jun 20 at 12:32
Thanks, @HenningMakholm - Is corrected. At least in Frankfurt, I have seen a hand-luggage-only customs checkpoint for transiting between terminals A and B.
– DCTLib
Jun 20 at 12:39
4
@sP_ The difference is that your phone doesn't stay in the US, it leaves the US when you leave (not taxed). Where as a phone you are bringing as a gift is an import (taxed).
– user3067860
Jun 20 at 17:48
1
@sP_ Yeah, they're trained to look for those sorts of shenanigans. Some of my coworkers routinely travel with multiple laptops, and often get grilled about their plans for them.
– Sneftel
Jun 20 at 18:09
1
@sP_ Incidentally, though: in my experience, if you're not too far over the personal exemption amount, you're fairly likely to get waved through US customs without having to pay any duties.
– Sneftel
Jun 20 at 18:11
 |Â
show 6 more comments
up vote
16
down vote
The best solution is to indeed put them into the hand luggage and then watch them closely during the flight. This reduces the risk of them being stolen in transit - at least if you are not sleeping on the flight, that is. It is allowed to transport them in the checked luggage, though.
As far as customs is concerned, it does not really matter. When entering the US, you will have to declare everything that stays in the US (see https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/975/kw/Duty%20Free%20allowances%20for%20visitors if you are not a US resident), and you will do so at the airport at which the flight to the US lands. Unless the phones are quite cheap, you will have to pay customs. Presents also have to be declared, so this makes no difference here. Don't gift-wrap the phones in Denmark so that the customs officer can have a look.
answered Jun 20 at 12:29
DCTLib
7,2101837
The question says "to USA from Denmark", not the other way around. Though note than in most international airports in the EU, there are no separate "non-EU parts" and "EU part of the airport". Bags from all flights are delivered in the same baggage claim hall, and it is up to travelers to choose the right lanes through customs afterwards, depending on whether they were arriving from within the EU or not.
– Henning Makholm
Jun 20 at 12:32
Thanks, @HenningMakholm - Is corrected. At least in Frankfurt, I have seen a hand-luggage-only customs checkpoint for transiting between terminals A and B.
– DCTLib
Jun 20 at 12:39
4
@sP_ The difference is that your phone doesn't stay in the US, it leaves the US when you leave (not taxed). Where as a phone you are bringing as a gift is an import (taxed).
– user3067860
Jun 20 at 17:48
1
@sP_ Yeah, they're trained to look for those sorts of shenanigans. Some of my coworkers routinely travel with multiple laptops, and often get grilled about their plans for them.
– Sneftel
Jun 20 at 18:09
1
@sP_ Incidentally, though: in my experience, if you're not too far over the personal exemption amount, you're fairly likely to get waved through US customs without having to pay any duties.
– Sneftel
Jun 20 at 18:11
 |Â
show 6 more comments
up vote
16
down vote
up vote
16
down vote
The best solution is to indeed put them into the hand luggage and then watch them closely during the flight. This reduces the risk of them being stolen in transit - at least if you are not sleeping on the flight, that is. It is allowed to transport them in the checked luggage, though.
As far as customs is concerned, it does not really matter. When entering the US, you will have to declare everything that stays in the US (see https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/975/kw/Duty%20Free%20allowances%20for%20visitors if you are not a US resident), and you will do so at the airport at which the flight to the US lands. Unless the phones are quite cheap, you will have to pay customs. Presents also have to be declared, so this makes no difference here. Don't gift-wrap the phones in Denmark so that the customs officer can have a look.
answered Jun 20 at 12:29
DCTLib
7,2101837
The best solution is to indeed put them into the hand luggage and then watch them closely during the flight. This reduces the risk of them being stolen in transit - at least if you are not sleeping on the flight, that is. It is allowed to transport them in the checked luggage, though.
As far as customs is concerned, it does not really matter. When entering the US, you will have to declare everything that stays in the US (see https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/975/kw/Duty%20Free%20allowances%20for%20visitors if you are not a US resident), and you will do so at the airport at which the flight to the US lands. Unless the phones are quite cheap, you will have to pay customs. Presents also have to be declared, so this makes no difference here. Don't gift-wrap the phones in Denmark so that the customs officer can have a look.
answered Jun 20 at 12:29
DCTLib
7,2101837
edited Jun 20 at 14:33
answered Jun 20 at 12:29
DCTLib
7,2101837
answered Jun 20 at 12:29
DCTLib
7,2101837
answered Jun 20 at 12:29
DCTLib
7,2101837
7,2101837
The question says "to USA from Denmark", not the other way around. Though note than in most international airports in the EU, there are no separate "non-EU parts" and "EU part of the airport". Bags from all flights are delivered in the same baggage claim hall, and it is up to travelers to choose the right lanes through customs afterwards, depending on whether they were arriving from within the EU or not.
– Henning Makholm
Jun 20 at 12:32
Thanks, @HenningMakholm - Is corrected. At least in Frankfurt, I have seen a hand-luggage-only customs checkpoint for transiting between terminals A and B.
– DCTLib
Jun 20 at 12:39
4
@sP_ The difference is that your phone doesn't stay in the US, it leaves the US when you leave (not taxed). Where as a phone you are bringing as a gift is an import (taxed).
– user3067860
Jun 20 at 17:48
1
@sP_ Yeah, they're trained to look for those sorts of shenanigans. Some of my coworkers routinely travel with multiple laptops, and often get grilled about their plans for them.
– Sneftel
Jun 20 at 18:09
1
@sP_ Incidentally, though: in my experience, if you're not too far over the personal exemption amount, you're fairly likely to get waved through US customs without having to pay any duties.
– Sneftel
Jun 20 at 18:11
 |Â
show 6 more comments
The question says "to USA from Denmark", not the other way around. Though note than in most international airports in the EU, there are no separate "non-EU parts" and "EU part of the airport". Bags from all flights are delivered in the same baggage claim hall, and it is up to travelers to choose the right lanes through customs afterwards, depending on whether they were arriving from within the EU or not.
– Henning Makholm
Jun 20 at 12:32
Thanks, @HenningMakholm - Is corrected. At least in Frankfurt, I have seen a hand-luggage-only customs checkpoint for transiting between terminals A and B.
– DCTLib
Jun 20 at 12:39
4
@sP_ The difference is that your phone doesn't stay in the US, it leaves the US when you leave (not taxed). Where as a phone you are bringing as a gift is an import (taxed).
– user3067860
Jun 20 at 17:48
1
@sP_ Yeah, they're trained to look for those sorts of shenanigans. Some of my coworkers routinely travel with multiple laptops, and often get grilled about their plans for them.
– Sneftel
Jun 20 at 18:09
1
@sP_ Incidentally, though: in my experience, if you're not too far over the personal exemption amount, you're fairly likely to get waved through US customs without having to pay any duties.
– Sneftel
Jun 20 at 18:11
The question says "to USA from Denmark", not the other way around. Though note than in most international airports in the EU, there are no separate "non-EU parts" and "EU part of the airport". Bags from all flights are delivered in the same baggage claim hall, and it is up to travelers to choose the right lanes through customs afterwards, depending on whether they were arriving from within the EU or not.
– Henning Makholm
Jun 20 at 12:32
The question says "to USA from Denmark", not the other way around. Though note than in most international airports in the EU, there are no separate "non-EU parts" and "EU part of the airport". Bags from all flights are delivered in the same baggage claim hall, and it is up to travelers to choose the right lanes through customs afterwards, depending on whether they were arriving from within the EU or not.
– Henning Makholm
Jun 20 at 12:32
Thanks, @HenningMakholm - Is corrected. At least in Frankfurt, I have seen a hand-luggage-only customs checkpoint for transiting between terminals A and B.
– DCTLib
Jun 20 at 12:39
Thanks, @HenningMakholm - Is corrected. At least in Frankfurt, I have seen a hand-luggage-only customs checkpoint for transiting between terminals A and B.
– DCTLib
Jun 20 at 12:39
4
4
@sP_ The difference is that your phone doesn't stay in the US, it leaves the US when you leave (not taxed). Where as a phone you are bringing as a gift is an import (taxed).
– user3067860
Jun 20 at 17:48
@sP_ The difference is that your phone doesn't stay in the US, it leaves the US when you leave (not taxed). Where as a phone you are bringing as a gift is an import (taxed).
– user3067860
Jun 20 at 17:48
1
1
@sP_ Yeah, they're trained to look for those sorts of shenanigans. Some of my coworkers routinely travel with multiple laptops, and often get grilled about their plans for them.
– Sneftel
Jun 20 at 18:09
@sP_ Yeah, they're trained to look for those sorts of shenanigans. Some of my coworkers routinely travel with multiple laptops, and often get grilled about their plans for them.
– Sneftel
Jun 20 at 18:09
1
1
@sP_ Incidentally, though: in my experience, if you're not too far over the personal exemption amount, you're fairly likely to get waved through US customs without having to pay any duties.
– Sneftel
Jun 20 at 18:11
@sP_ Incidentally, though: in my experience, if you're not too far over the personal exemption amount, you're fairly likely to get waved through US customs without having to pay any duties.
– Sneftel
Jun 20 at 18:11
 |Â
show 6 more comments
up vote
5
down vote
Your best bet is going to depend on size. If you can, Carry on (hand luggage) is usually safer. Luggage handlers don't always take the most care with the luggage.
DCTLib has it right but there is a bit more to add.
I will say stuff in this answer that is not 100% factually correct, but the point is to have you have an easy time. Note that the workers doing the inspection and collection won't have all the right info either, so it's better to just go with "common knowledge" then try to pass on an edge case.
Once at your destination you will have to declare any items that are going to stay in the U.S. Gifts and the like should be in their original boxes if you can, and you should have receipts if you can. This is important, not because of rules, but because it just makes things easier.
If things have receipts then there is no doubt about the value declared. This is especially true for items that have a much higher price here than there.
If things are in original boxes, then, again, you have less confusion about what a product is. Especially true for odd or interesting products.
Don't try to bring food of any kind. It's just a hassle.
With electronics be very aware that they may be illegal in the US or may not function on the same frequencies in the US. Thinks like DVD players and game consoles are still region locked (as are the media you use to play on them), and all electronic devices that send or receive any kind of a signal in the US have to have that FCC statement. Customs won't care about that (or at least I have never seen them care), and I don't know of any task force running around checking for FCC statements on things, but it would suck to bring over a new X-Box only to find out it won't work here.
Don't wrap or seal any of the presents. Be prepared to have to open and display them.
Finally, stay away from anything odd, or unknown in the US or be prepared to explain/demo it. Again original boxes help with this. This means having phones ready to turn on, laptops in a state where they can be powered on, etc. etc. It's not really customs job to even look at these things unless they suspect some kind of fraud or smuggling, but... While you would win, after a fashion, a dispute with an agent about not having to turn on that odd-looking camera, and how they really even shouldn't be looking at it, just maybe checking off that it's on the form. It's usually faster to just power it up and let them see.
As a bonus, when filling out the forms be as open as you can be. For example "Digital Camera" instead of "Canon PowerShot ELPH 180 20.0 MP Compact Digital Camera - 720p - Red". If you get an overzealous agent, and they see "Canon PowerShot ELPH 180 20.0 MP Compact Digital Camera - 720p - Red" They could actually try to see the part numbers and sizes and such, but "digital camera" there's not a lot to check.
For example:
Declaring 10 items in a brown cardboard box means pulling out each item and matching it to the description on the form.
Declaring 10 items in the original packaging means just looking at the boxes, except that one marked "Digital Camera $50" that is in a 4' x 4' x 4' box. They may ask you to open that one.
answered Jun 20 at 16:18
coteyr
1,787215
I assume they ask you to power on the camera because they want to make sure it's actually a camera and not an enclosure for hiding, erm, goods.
– Mehrdad
Jun 21 at 3:00
add a comment |Â
up vote
5
down vote
Your best bet is going to depend on size. If you can, Carry on (hand luggage) is usually safer. Luggage handlers don't always take the most care with the luggage.
DCTLib has it right but there is a bit more to add.
I will say stuff in this answer that is not 100% factually correct, but the point is to have you have an easy time. Note that the workers doing the inspection and collection won't have all the right info either, so it's better to just go with "common knowledge" then try to pass on an edge case.
Once at your destination you will have to declare any items that are going to stay in the U.S. Gifts and the like should be in their original boxes if you can, and you should have receipts if you can. This is important, not because of rules, but because it just makes things easier.
If things have receipts then there is no doubt about the value declared. This is especially true for items that have a much higher price here than there.
If things are in original boxes, then, again, you have less confusion about what a product is. Especially true for odd or interesting products.
Don't try to bring food of any kind. It's just a hassle.
With electronics be very aware that they may be illegal in the US or may not function on the same frequencies in the US. Thinks like DVD players and game consoles are still region locked (as are the media you use to play on them), and all electronic devices that send or receive any kind of a signal in the US have to have that FCC statement. Customs won't care about that (or at least I have never seen them care), and I don't know of any task force running around checking for FCC statements on things, but it would suck to bring over a new X-Box only to find out it won't work here.
Don't wrap or seal any of the presents. Be prepared to have to open and display them.
Finally, stay away from anything odd, or unknown in the US or be prepared to explain/demo it. Again original boxes help with this. This means having phones ready to turn on, laptops in a state where they can be powered on, etc. etc. It's not really customs job to even look at these things unless they suspect some kind of fraud or smuggling, but... While you would win, after a fashion, a dispute with an agent about not having to turn on that odd-looking camera, and how they really even shouldn't be looking at it, just maybe checking off that it's on the form. It's usually faster to just power it up and let them see.
As a bonus, when filling out the forms be as open as you can be. For example "Digital Camera" instead of "Canon PowerShot ELPH 180 20.0 MP Compact Digital Camera - 720p - Red". If you get an overzealous agent, and they see "Canon PowerShot ELPH 180 20.0 MP Compact Digital Camera - 720p - Red" They could actually try to see the part numbers and sizes and such, but "digital camera" there's not a lot to check.
For example:
Declaring 10 items in a brown cardboard box means pulling out each item and matching it to the description on the form.
Declaring 10 items in the original packaging means just looking at the boxes, except that one marked "Digital Camera $50" that is in a 4' x 4' x 4' box. They may ask you to open that one.
answered Jun 20 at 16:18
coteyr
1,787215
I assume they ask you to power on the camera because they want to make sure it's actually a camera and not an enclosure for hiding, erm, goods.
– Mehrdad
Jun 21 at 3:00
add a comment |Â
up vote
5
down vote
up vote
5
down vote
Your best bet is going to depend on size. If you can, Carry on (hand luggage) is usually safer. Luggage handlers don't always take the most care with the luggage.
DCTLib has it right but there is a bit more to add.
I will say stuff in this answer that is not 100% factually correct, but the point is to have you have an easy time. Note that the workers doing the inspection and collection won't have all the right info either, so it's better to just go with "common knowledge" then try to pass on an edge case.
Once at your destination you will have to declare any items that are going to stay in the U.S. Gifts and the like should be in their original boxes if you can, and you should have receipts if you can. This is important, not because of rules, but because it just makes things easier.
If things have receipts then there is no doubt about the value declared. This is especially true for items that have a much higher price here than there.
If things are in original boxes, then, again, you have less confusion about what a product is. Especially true for odd or interesting products.
Don't try to bring food of any kind. It's just a hassle.
With electronics be very aware that they may be illegal in the US or may not function on the same frequencies in the US. Thinks like DVD players and game consoles are still region locked (as are the media you use to play on them), and all electronic devices that send or receive any kind of a signal in the US have to have that FCC statement. Customs won't care about that (or at least I have never seen them care), and I don't know of any task force running around checking for FCC statements on things, but it would suck to bring over a new X-Box only to find out it won't work here.
Don't wrap or seal any of the presents. Be prepared to have to open and display them.
Finally, stay away from anything odd, or unknown in the US or be prepared to explain/demo it. Again original boxes help with this. This means having phones ready to turn on, laptops in a state where they can be powered on, etc. etc. It's not really customs job to even look at these things unless they suspect some kind of fraud or smuggling, but... While you would win, after a fashion, a dispute with an agent about not having to turn on that odd-looking camera, and how they really even shouldn't be looking at it, just maybe checking off that it's on the form. It's usually faster to just power it up and let them see.
As a bonus, when filling out the forms be as open as you can be. For example "Digital Camera" instead of "Canon PowerShot ELPH 180 20.0 MP Compact Digital Camera - 720p - Red". If you get an overzealous agent, and they see "Canon PowerShot ELPH 180 20.0 MP Compact Digital Camera - 720p - Red" They could actually try to see the part numbers and sizes and such, but "digital camera" there's not a lot to check.
For example:
Declaring 10 items in a brown cardboard box means pulling out each item and matching it to the description on the form.
Declaring 10 items in the original packaging means just looking at the boxes, except that one marked "Digital Camera $50" that is in a 4' x 4' x 4' box. They may ask you to open that one.
answered Jun 20 at 16:18
coteyr
1,787215
Your best bet is going to depend on size. If you can, Carry on (hand luggage) is usually safer. Luggage handlers don't always take the most care with the luggage.
DCTLib has it right but there is a bit more to add.
I will say stuff in this answer that is not 100% factually correct, but the point is to have you have an easy time. Note that the workers doing the inspection and collection won't have all the right info either, so it's better to just go with "common knowledge" then try to pass on an edge case.
Once at your destination you will have to declare any items that are going to stay in the U.S. Gifts and the like should be in their original boxes if you can, and you should have receipts if you can. This is important, not because of rules, but because it just makes things easier.
If things have receipts then there is no doubt about the value declared. This is especially true for items that have a much higher price here than there.
If things are in original boxes, then, again, you have less confusion about what a product is. Especially true for odd or interesting products.
Don't try to bring food of any kind. It's just a hassle.
With electronics be very aware that they may be illegal in the US or may not function on the same frequencies in the US. Thinks like DVD players and game consoles are still region locked (as are the media you use to play on them), and all electronic devices that send or receive any kind of a signal in the US have to have that FCC statement. Customs won't care about that (or at least I have never seen them care), and I don't know of any task force running around checking for FCC statements on things, but it would suck to bring over a new X-Box only to find out it won't work here.
Don't wrap or seal any of the presents. Be prepared to have to open and display them.
Finally, stay away from anything odd, or unknown in the US or be prepared to explain/demo it. Again original boxes help with this. This means having phones ready to turn on, laptops in a state where they can be powered on, etc. etc. It's not really customs job to even look at these things unless they suspect some kind of fraud or smuggling, but... While you would win, after a fashion, a dispute with an agent about not having to turn on that odd-looking camera, and how they really even shouldn't be looking at it, just maybe checking off that it's on the form. It's usually faster to just power it up and let them see.
As a bonus, when filling out the forms be as open as you can be. For example "Digital Camera" instead of "Canon PowerShot ELPH 180 20.0 MP Compact Digital Camera - 720p - Red". If you get an overzealous agent, and they see "Canon PowerShot ELPH 180 20.0 MP Compact Digital Camera - 720p - Red" They could actually try to see the part numbers and sizes and such, but "digital camera" there's not a lot to check.
For example:
Declaring 10 items in a brown cardboard box means pulling out each item and matching it to the description on the form.
Declaring 10 items in the original packaging means just looking at the boxes, except that one marked "Digital Camera $50" that is in a 4' x 4' x 4' box. They may ask you to open that one.
answered Jun 20 at 16:18
coteyr
1,787215
edited Jun 20 at 17:09
answered Jun 20 at 16:18
coteyr
1,787215
answered Jun 20 at 16:18
coteyr
1,787215
answered Jun 20 at 16:18
coteyr
1,787215
1,787215
I assume they ask you to power on the camera because they want to make sure it's actually a camera and not an enclosure for hiding, erm, goods.
– Mehrdad
Jun 21 at 3:00
add a comment |Â
I assume they ask you to power on the camera because they want to make sure it's actually a camera and not an enclosure for hiding, erm, goods.
– Mehrdad
Jun 21 at 3:00
I assume they ask you to power on the camera because they want to make sure it's actually a camera and not an enclosure for hiding, erm, goods.
– Mehrdad
Jun 21 at 3:00
I assume they ask you to power on the camera because they want to make sure it's actually a camera and not an enclosure for hiding, erm, goods.
– Mehrdad
Jun 21 at 3:00
add a comment |Â
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4
"Best solution" according to what criteria?
– pipe
Jun 20 at 14:46
5
Keep in mind that the phones may very well be cheaper in the US. Denmark has 25% VAT. The original retail price for an iPhone X, for instance, is $380 higher in Denmark than the US.
– Zach Lipton
Jun 20 at 19:05
From personal experience, I would advise you to put them in your hand luggage. Don't put them in your checked-in luggage. I had a phone (that I sent with a friend as a gift) stolen while on layover.
– Kodos Johnson
Jun 21 at 0:44
Probably too late, but the best solution might be to buy them from duty free. International warranty service can be challenging.
– Criggie
Jun 21 at 2:42