Moving abroad represents a great opportunity to advance in your career. Also, you get to know other corners of the world. Furthermore, your kids will get an opportunity to experience what it is like to live and study in a different culture. Plus, many of them are very different from the ones that they are accustomed to. One of the best things about living abroad with kids is the fact that both they and you will be able to learn a new language. Therefore, once they are grown up, their business opportunities will be better than the rest. They even may decide to go and live abroad themselves. Still, what happens when you decide to come back home? You need to understand the US customs procedures. And they are not always very easy to understand. That is why we have prepared a US customs procedures guide for you.
US customs procedures that you need to be aware of
Expats coming home from abroad often have a lot of luggage and heavy belongings with them. Therefore, in this text, we are going to focus on the paperwork you need to prepare in order to get your items into the country. Still, given the fact that you are going to need to organize the move back where you live and then get that stuff once it arrives in the United States, we would like to suggest contracting professional moving company to help you with it. For example, Louisiana recently became a popular relocation destination. Hence, if you are moving to Lousiana, try contracting some of the local movers to help you get your stuff back home. In order to be sure that you are contracting a reputable moving company, check moving companies reviews.
Coming back home
Coming back home is awesome. There are so many people hoping to see you as soon as possible. If you haven’t sold your house, surely it will feel great to spend time on it. After all, it is the place that feels most like home. Some would say that coming back to your home can feel like therapy. Still, there is going to be a lot of stuff that you will need to take care of. Importing your belongings and going through the US customs procedures can take time and energy. Not to mention that you are going to need help to move all of your stuff. Here is where Verified Movers can give a hand by matching you with top movers in the business.
Therefore, we would like to suggest that you hire a professional moving company to assist you with the move. After all that you have achieved in the past years, you could surely use a helping hand in time of need. Those of you who are in Indiana, let’s say, may find a cross-country move extremely tiring. Therefore, forget about moving back home yourself and contact Indiana long distance movers to make your move as simple as possible.
Getting through the US customs procedures
This is probably the biggest issue that you are going to face. The US customs procedures are not as complicated as they might seem to be. Still, they are, sometimes, difficult to get a hold of. Therefore, you are probably going to need help getting through them. We are going to try to point out the most important aspects of clearing US customs procedures.
Prepare a list of items you’re bringing
Once you have determined your eligibility for duty-free entry, prepare a list of all the items you’re bringing with you. Make sure to include the approximate value of each item, as well as any receipts or documents that prove their value. This information will be required when you complete the CBP Declaration Form 6059B, which you will need to fill out upon your arrival in the United States. For example, if you are returning to the nation’s capital, top movers in Washington DC can do the job on your behalf.
Prepare your belongings for shipment
Preparing your belongings for shipment is an essential step in ensuring that they arrive at your new home in the United States safely and in good condition. This process involves carefully packing your items, labeling them clearly, and taking steps to protect them from damage during transport. When packing, make sure to use sturdy boxes or crates and wrap delicate items in bubble wrap or other protective materials. Label each box clearly with your name, the contents inside, and any special handling instructions, such as “fragile” or “this side up.”
It’s also a good idea to take pictures of your items before you pack them, just in case anything is damaged or lost during the shipping process. Additionally, it’s important to consider any special requirements for shipping certain items, such as electronics or firearms, and ensure that they are packed and labeled according to the appropriate guidelines. Taking the time to prepare your belongings for shipment can save you time, money, and stress in the long run, and help ensure a smooth transition to your new home in the United States.
Determine your eligibility for duty-free entry
Determining your eligibility for duty-free entry of your personal and household goods when moving to the United States is an important step to understand the potential costs and fees that you may face when entering the country. The rules regarding duty-free entry can be complex and vary depending on various factors, including your citizenship or residency status, the length of time you’ve been living abroad, and the value of the items you’re bringing with you. As a general rule, US citizens and lawful permanent residents who have been living abroad for at least one year may be eligible for duty-free entry of their personal and household goods.
However, there are some exceptions. If you’ve been living abroad for less than one year, or if you’ve been living abroad but have not established residency in another country, for example. It’s important to check with US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) before you start packing to confirm your eligibility and any specific requirements or restrictions that may apply to your situation. This can help you avoid any unexpected fees or delays when you arrive in the United States. It will also help you ensure a smooth transition to your new home.
Depending on the means of transport, you might need different paperwork
The US customs procedures are different depending on the means of transport that you will be using. What is going to be the same is one important document: a packing list of the goods. However, bear in mind that this document is not mandatory. Still, it can prove to be quite a handful to have it on hand, so we would strongly suggest having it ready just in case, especially if you’re moving back to some of the largest cities in the USA, like NYC. If you do not have time to deal with the whole process, hiring professionals would be the best option. Moving back to NYC is quite easy with the help of the best movers in NYC.
Shipping by sea
In case you will be shipping your items by sea, there are four documents that you, or the shipping company, should take care of:
- Commercial Invoice (you should get this from either the manufacturer or the supplier)
- Bill of Lading (provided by the supplier or the shipping company) – this document will showcase the route that the shipment has taken, the costs of shipping it and can be used as the proof of ownership
- Importer Security Filing information (provided by the supplier)
- Arrival notice (provided by the freight forwarder)
Air shipping
When you are shipping your items by air, you should have to follow the two documents in order for items to clear the customs:
- Commercial Invoice (provided by supplier or manufacturer)
- Airway Bill (provided freight forwarder)
Customs bond
Customs bond is a document that you are going to need to have before your shipment leaves for shipping. You are going to have to have it no matter how you are shipping your items. It is mandatory in the case when your shipment’s value exceeds $2,500. In case it does not, you do not have to it. In this case, you can import your goods under an informal entry. However, if you would like to do it this way, bear in mind that you are going to need to manually submit paperwork. Therefore, you may even choose to import your items as a formal entry as well, no matter if their value is less than $2,500. While the customs bond for such cheaper belongings is not mandatory, it does not mean that you cannot file it.
In order to obtain a customs bond, you will need to get in touch with the customs brokerages. You will be offered a choice between single-entry and continuous-entry bonds. As the name says, the single-entry bond is intended for those people who are coming back to the USA to live there. If you are going to be bringing more stuff in the future, you might want to opt for a continuous-entry bond. It is valid for a year and can facilitate your move a lot.
Clear customs upon arrival
When you arrive in the United States, you will need to clear customs and declare your personal and household goods. You will be required to fill out the CBP Declaration Form 6059B. It will ask for information about the items you’re bringing with you. If everything is in order, you will be allowed to proceed with your belongings. We know that many of you adore California, San Francisco in particular. Long distance movers San Francisco are there if you need help to relocate with ease.
Pay any applicable duties and taxes
If you exceed your duty-free allowance, you will be required to pay any applicable duties and taxes on the items you’re bringing with you. Make sure to have cash or a credit card on hand to pay these fees.
Plan ahead
In conclusion, transferring your belongings to the United States requires careful planning and adherence to customs procedures. By following these steps, you can ensure a smooth transition and start your new life in the United States with peace of mind. Hopefully, you have got a hang of what it would be like to import items into the USA when coming home. US customs procedures are obviously more complex than what we have been able to present here. In order to get all the details, we would suggest visiting the US Customs and Border Protection website. You will find a lot of detailed information there.