Most people are so excited about going on their vacation that they forget to plan their return home. Doing this can almost take as much effort as the initial holiday plan. But before you leave your home, it is better to think about your return. Here are some tips.
What to Do about Return Transportation
Confirming your return reservation at least twice is important and at least 72 hours before your scheduled departure. Obtain a written confirmation whenever possible. If your return reservation is confirmed by phone, then make sure you record the time, day, and the name of the agent who took your call. In case your name doesn't appear on the reservation list, then you may have no recourse and find yourself stranded.
What to Do about Departure Tax
In some countries, they levy an airport departure tax on travelers, which can be as high as $50. You should ask the airline or travel agent about this tax. At the end of the trip, make certain that you have enough money so that you will be able to get on the plane.
When it Comes to Immigration and Customs
Have your passport ready when you go through Immigration and Customs if a passport is required for your trip. If you took other documents with you, such as an International Certificate of Vaccination, a medical letter, or a Customs certificate of registration for foreign-made personal articles, have them ready, also. It's a good idea to have your receipts handy in case you need to support your customs declaration. Your certificate or vehicle registration should be available if you are returning to the United States by car from Mexico or Canada. When you pack your bags, it would be a good idea to make it in a way that inspection would be easier. For instance, if possible, pack the articles you have acquired abroad separately.
Articles acquired abroad and brought back with you are subject to duty and Internal Revenue tax. As long as the traveler has been outside the United States for at least 48 hours, has not already used this exemption within the preceding 30 day period, and provided the traveler can present the purchases upon his or her arrival at the port of entry, then U.S. Customs currently allows each U.S. citizen to bring back $400 worth of merchandise duty free. The next $1,000 worth of items brought back for personal use or gifts are subject to duty at a flat 10% rate. (Things like 100 cigars, 200 cigarettes, and one liter of wine, beer or liquor may be included in your duty-free exemption.) Make sure you check for the latest information as this changes periodically.
In fact, in two groups of destinations, the duty-free exemption is actually higher. These are a group of 24 countries and dependencies in the Caribbean and Central America from which the exemption is $600, and a group of U.S. insular possessions (the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and Guam), from which the exemption is $1,200.
Make sure that you declare all that you purchased or received as gifts overseas. Cooperate with the U.S. Custom agent if you are selected to have your baggage checked upon arrival and this would only take a few minutes unless you have something to hide. Be prepared to pay stiff penalties if you are caught with undeclared items.
Plan ahead - save time and money.
What to Do about Return Transportation
Confirming your return reservation at least twice is important and at least 72 hours before your scheduled departure. Obtain a written confirmation whenever possible. If your return reservation is confirmed by phone, then make sure you record the time, day, and the name of the agent who took your call. In case your name doesn't appear on the reservation list, then you may have no recourse and find yourself stranded.
What to Do about Departure Tax
In some countries, they levy an airport departure tax on travelers, which can be as high as $50. You should ask the airline or travel agent about this tax. At the end of the trip, make certain that you have enough money so that you will be able to get on the plane.
When it Comes to Immigration and Customs
Have your passport ready when you go through Immigration and Customs if a passport is required for your trip. If you took other documents with you, such as an International Certificate of Vaccination, a medical letter, or a Customs certificate of registration for foreign-made personal articles, have them ready, also. It's a good idea to have your receipts handy in case you need to support your customs declaration. Your certificate or vehicle registration should be available if you are returning to the United States by car from Mexico or Canada. When you pack your bags, it would be a good idea to make it in a way that inspection would be easier. For instance, if possible, pack the articles you have acquired abroad separately.
Articles acquired abroad and brought back with you are subject to duty and Internal Revenue tax. As long as the traveler has been outside the United States for at least 48 hours, has not already used this exemption within the preceding 30 day period, and provided the traveler can present the purchases upon his or her arrival at the port of entry, then U.S. Customs currently allows each U.S. citizen to bring back $400 worth of merchandise duty free. The next $1,000 worth of items brought back for personal use or gifts are subject to duty at a flat 10% rate. (Things like 100 cigars, 200 cigarettes, and one liter of wine, beer or liquor may be included in your duty-free exemption.) Make sure you check for the latest information as this changes periodically.
In fact, in two groups of destinations, the duty-free exemption is actually higher. These are a group of 24 countries and dependencies in the Caribbean and Central America from which the exemption is $600, and a group of U.S. insular possessions (the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and Guam), from which the exemption is $1,200.
Make sure that you declare all that you purchased or received as gifts overseas. Cooperate with the U.S. Custom agent if you are selected to have your baggage checked upon arrival and this would only take a few minutes unless you have something to hide. Be prepared to pay stiff penalties if you are caught with undeclared items.
Plan ahead - save time and money.
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