Customs and entering US with Wife

[Brianinaz]

I should have thought of this sooner but I am leaving for the states on Saturday with my wife and it just dawned on me I might have to pay tax on her possesions when entering the country. Does anyone know is there a tax on things like clothing and other personal possesions being brought into the country on a K3 visa?

[Admin]

I should have thought of this sooner but I am leaving for the states on Saturday with my wife and it just dawned on me I might have to pay tax on her possesions when entering the country. Does anyone know is there a tax on things like clothing and other personal possesions being brought into the country on a K3 visa?

How much is she bringing back?

When Olya came to the US, I had already brought over some of her clothing in previous trips, but she came in with a couple of large suitcases filled with belongings.

We paid nothing in the way of Customs duties.

FWIW

- Dan

[kievstar]

How many bags will you have?  If many, stand behind someone who has a ton and looks like they will get checked.  They rarely check two people in a row.  Also, if no one is line and you come strolling up with a ton of baggage you will have a higher chance to get checked. 

What airport you arriving at - Minnesota checks a lot, Detroit rarely, Atlanta rarely, Chicago rarely.  No experience with New York. 

I doubt you will have to pay taxes on anything unless your bringing expensive new items in. 

[ConnerVT]

There is no Customs duty on personal items.  The Customs agents won't even bat an eye unless you have several bottles of liqour, tons of truly expensive jewlery, or brand new electronics.  After all, the FSU is not known for the illegal import of drugs or other items (except for too many bottles of vodka).

When I arrived with my (then) fiance and son, we had 9+ bags - 6 suitcases each nearly 70 lb, 3 carry on bags, plus my laptop and her large pocketbook.  These were the items I was wrangling.  She carried the 5 y.o.   

I still say the best $20 I've ever spent was the tip I gave to the skycap, who brought over a large luggage cart, and found us a minivan taxi!

[Brianinaz]

Thanks,

We have 4 suitecases and 2 carry on's going through JFK, nothing but clothing, and a few relatively inexpensive wedding gifts. I didn't think there would be a tax on personal items but I couldn't find anything on the customs web site that said one way or the other.

[Chicagoguy]

Chicago pulled me over last year and I am U.S. citizen traveling alone.

Just my that number had come up. I think it was random and their look was very perfuntory.