Customs: what you can bring and ship when moving to the U.S.

Step 1 — Check what’s banned and what needs a permit

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the agency that inspects people and goods at the border, uses two words (CBP — Prohibited and Restricted Items):

• Prohibited means forbidden by law. Examples: dangerous toys, cars that don’t protect their occupants in a crash, and bush meat.
• Restricted means you need a license or permit from a federal agency first. Examples: firearms, certain fruits and vegetables, animal products and some animals.

Rules that often surprise people (CBP):

• Fake brand-name goods can be seized. CBP may let you keep one item of each type if you carry it, it’s for personal use and it’s not for sale.
• Antiques and cultural objects need documents such as export permits and receipts. CBP warns that some sellers offer phony export certificates.
• Products containing dog or cat fur are illegal to import.
• Goods from Cuba or Iran generally need a license from the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). CBP lists exceptions, such as household effects you used abroad, but says these rules change.
• Alcohol: the state where you first arrive decides how much you may bring.

Step 2 — Pack food carefully

Every traveler must declare meats, fruits, vegetables, plants, seeds, soil, animals, and plant and animal products, including soup, in any bag or vehicle (CBP — Agricultural Products). Examples from CBP (CBP — Prohibited and Restricted Items):

• Generally allowed: bakery items, certain cheeses, condiments, vinegars, oils, packaged spices, honey, coffee and tea.
• Not allowed: bush meat and almost anything that contains meat products, such as bouillon and soup mixes.
• Best left at home: fresh fruits and vegetables, and rice, which can carry insects.

Meat rules change often because they follow animal disease outbreaks around the world (CBP — Agricultural Products). Seeds and plant parts meant for growing need a foreign phytosanitary (plant health) certificate in advance, and soil needs a permit (CBP).

Step 3 — Bring your medicines the right way

CBP’s guidance for non-U.S. citizens (CBP — Prohibited and Restricted Items):

• carry a valid prescription or doctor’s note in English;
• keep medicine in its original container, or bring a copy of the prescription or a doctor’s letter;
• bring only what you need; CBP’s rule of thumb is no more than a 90-day supply;
• if you stay longer than 90 days, more can be sent by mail or courier, with documents such as a copy of your visa and passport and an English prescription.

The FDA’s 90-day allowance is written for “foreign nationals,” which the FDA defines as anyone who is not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident (FDA — Personal Importation). If you are immigrating as a permanent resident, ask the FDA about your case before you travel (contacts below). Controlled substances must also meet Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) rules (FDA), and counterfeit drugs and unproven “cures” are prohibited (CBP).

To refill prescriptions here, see where to get medical care.

Step 4 — Get your pet’s papers ready early

A pet that is refused entry is sent back at your expense, and may be held at your expense in the meantime (CBP — Pets and Wildlife). CBP recommends contacting your port of arrival in advance, and airlines generally require health certificates (CBP).

• Dogs. The CDC is the main authority for dogs (APHIS). Since August 1, 2024, a dog that has been only in dog-rabies-free or low-risk countries in the 6 months before entry needs one document: a CDC Dog Import Form receipt. The dog must also be at least 6 months old, have a microchip a universal scanner can read, and look healthy (CDC). If the dog has been in a country the CDC lists as high-risk, other requirements apply, and an unvaccinated dog will not be allowed in. CDC’s online Dog Importation Navigator shows which rules apply (CDC).
• Cats. APHIS has no animal health requirements for importing a pet cat, but the CDC, the Fish and Wildlife Service and your destination state may have rules (APHIS — Cats).
• Birds and other animals. Some birds are regulated as poultry, and other agencies may be involved (APHIS). The CDC never allows African rodents, bats or nonhuman primates as pets (CBP).

For every step in order, from the dog’s microchip to state rules like Hawaii’s, see bringing a pet to the U.S..

Step 5 — Think twice before shipping a car

CBP warns that a vehicle bought abroad is unlikely to meet U.S. safety, bumper and emission standards, so be skeptical when a seller says it does. A car that doesn’t comply must be modified, exported or destroyed, and modifications can be too costly to be practical (CBP — Importing a Motor Vehicle). Nonresidents may bring a car duty-free for personal use for up to one year, but a car that doesn’t meet U.S. standards must leave within that year and can’t be sold (CBP).

Read the EPA and NHTSA import pages first. To drive here, see driver’s licenses and state IDs.

Step 6 — Ship your household goods

Household effects — furniture, carpets, paintings, tableware, linens and similar items, plus tools of your trade and professional books — can come in duty-free if you used them abroad for at least one year and they are not for another person or for sale (CBP — Customs Duty Information). Clothing, jewelry and cameras count as personal effects instead; CBP says duty is usually waived on personal effects more than one year old (CBP).

For things that arrive without you, CBP uses Form 3299, the “Declaration for Free Entry of Unaccompanied Articles.” It has a box for nonresidents “emigrating to the U.S.,” asks for a packing list, and asks you to list separately items such as alcohol, firearms, plants, seeds, meats and anything for sale. False declarations can bring penalties (CBP — Form 3299).

• Food rules apply to shipments too: the same fines apply to prohibited agricultural products sent by international mail (CBP).
• A shipped car is not a container. Everything inside must be declared, or you risk a fine or seizure (CBP).
• Mailing boxes? Mail rules changed in 2025–2026: CBP has suspended duty-free “de minimis” treatment for shipments worth $800 or less, including by post (CBP — E-Commerce FAQs). Check that page before you send anything.

Step 7 — Declare everything when you land

You must complete CBP Declaration Form 6059B; a family traveling together can fill in one form (CBP — Traveler Entry Forms). It asks whether you’re bringing food, plants, meats or animals, whether you’ve been on a farm or near livestock, and whether you carry more than $10,000 (CBP — Form 6059B). Unsure how to answer? Ask a CBP officer (CBP).

Declaring protects you. Declared food that turns out to be prohibited can simply be left at the port; undeclared prohibited items are confiscated and can bring a civil penalty (CBP — Bringing Food) of up to $1,000 for a first offense with non-commercial amounts (CBP).

Money. Carrying any amount is legal (CBP — Form 6059B), but you must report amounts over $10,000 to CBP on FinCEN Form 105. For a family, the limit applies to the total, and it also covers money you mail or ship. If you don’t report, the money can be seized (CBP — Money). See our before-you-move checklist and sending money abroad.

Step 8 — Clear your shipment after it arrives

• CBP won’t tell you it has arrived. The shipper or its agent should, so ask your mover for the arrival date (CBP — Internet Purchases).
• Don’t wait. Freight or express packages not picked up can go to a storage warehouse after 15 days, at your expense, and goods unclaimed after six months can be auctioned (CBP — Customs Duty Information).
• You or a broker. CBP officers can’t act as your agent; you can clear goods yourself or hire a customs broker (CBP, CBP). Brokers are private businesses, not CBP employees, and charge fees (CBP). CBP publishes a list of permitted brokers.
• Real “customs fees.” These are often the broker’s charges. Duty on mailed packages is paid to the mail carrier or at your post office; courier services bill you or collect on delivery (CBP — Internet Purchases).