You've spent a week trolling the markets of Casbah, but will you have a problem bringing your bounty back through customs? Not understanding customs can be a Air Travelnasty surprise for you and your checkbook at the end of a fabulous trip.

Each time you enter a new country or return to your place of residence you need to clear customs. No one is exempt - airline attendants and pilots are subject to the same rules each time they land in a different country.

Contrary to popular belief, customs agents don't exist solely to harass travelers. Their real job is to ensure no one's bringing illegal or potentially harmful items into the country.

When you arrive at the customs counter you'll be asked if you have anything to declare. In other words, did you buy or receive anything in the country you visited? Customs officials are especially interested in plants (including fruits and vegetables), animals, alcohol, weapons and automobiles. Any item crossing the border must comply with that country's regulations or they'll be confiscated.

Customs officials are also interested in the smaller and more seemingly benign items, like jewelry, furniture, electronics or anything else they can slap a duty fee on. That silver turquoise ring may have caught your eye, but it be subject to a 100% duty fee - which means you already paid once from the vendor when you bought it, but you'll pay the full fee again to clear it through customs.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection can help you with more specific questions.

The good news is that you're eligible for an exemption, depending on how long you've been out of the country. In most cases, you'll be allowed an $800 spending allowance. If you're visiting a U.S. insular possession, such as the U.S. Virgin Islands, the duty free exemption goes up to $1600, which can be applied to any purchase except alcohol and tobacco products.

~ GG Staff

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