USA
Used Household Goods and Personal Effects
Documents Required
Copy of Passport (some ports require passports for all family members listed on the 3299)
Form CF-3299 – declaration for free entry of unaccompanied articles (if applicable)
Copy of visa (if non-US citizen / permanent resident) / copy of permanent resident card
I-94 stamp / card
A-1 visa (diplomats)
Form DS-1504 (diplomats)
CBP form 7501 - Customs entry summary
Form CF-6059B – Customs declaration
Copy of bill of lading (OBL) / air waybill (AWB)
Detailed inventory in English
Importers Security Filing (ISF)
Food questionnaire
Permit C – household goods permit (if importing alcohol) (Hawaii)
Supplemental declaration (required by most ports) (Hawaii)
Specific Information
All shipments are subject to examination at the discretion of Customs officials.
Do not indicate “packed by owner” (PBO) or miscellaneous descriptions on the detailed inventory.
The I-94 is an arrival stamp / card in the passport of all foreigners that indicates the length of time they have been admitted into the USA (some ports require a copy of the card).
All foreign diplomats (A-1 visa types) are required to be processed via the Department of State on a DS-1504 form, which is submitted to the Department of State by the consulate / embassy of the diplomat at least 10 days prior to arrival of the shipment.
Brokers are not allowed to clear Customs on CF-3299 entries for foreign diplomats holding an A-1 visa.
For duty-free clearance, the household goods must have been used at least 12 months in the foreign household prior to shipment from the origin country.
The owner of the goods must hold the proper long-term visa (non-B1 / B2 visitor’s visa) to import household goods duty free.
The owner of the goods can only import personal effects, e.g., clothing, camping gear, toiletries, etc. on a short-term visitor’s visa.
It is important for agents in the origin country to make sure the ISF is timely filed prior to the sailing of the vessel from the last foreign port for all ocean shipments to avoid penalties.
Customs and other government agencies can require a variety of different types of examinations that result in costs from USD $200-$1700 or more on a full container load (FCL) shipment.
Most household items used less than 12 months will require duty to be paid.
It is important for the owner of the goods to list those items in detail on the back side of the Customs Form 3299.
The owner of the goods should list the item, quantity, what material it is made out of, the value paid for the items in US dollars and the country of origin of the items.
To import household effects (furniture, dishes, linens, libraries, artwork and similar household furnishings, etc.) for personal use, the items must have been available for personal use or used in a household where the owner of the goods was a resident for 12 months and is not intended for another person or for sale.
The 12 months of use does not need to be continuous nor does it need to be the 12 months immediately prior to the date of importation (Hawaii).
Shipments from the 49 United States into Hawaii are not subject to U.S. Customs requirements, but shipments from foreign countries to Hawaii are subject to all of the same rules and regulations that apply to the rest of the United States.
Only shipments of used household goods and personal effects may enter the U.S. under informal entry.
Due to the fragile and unique ecosystem that exists in Hawaii, additional examinations may be ordered.
For shipments to Hawaii containing garden tools, outdoor furniture, playground equipment, motorcycles, scooters or any other items used outdoors, it is likely to be examined by U.S. Customs.
If Customs finds outdoor items to be dirty or contain insects or snails, they will notify the State of Hawaii Department of Agriculture.
The State may require the entire shipment to be cleaned, fumigated or frozen to clean potential bacteria or kill any invasive species.
Owners of the goods should be forewarned that they are responsible to pay for the expense of this process, it can be very costly and it may result in damage to household goods.
Informed decisions should be made regarding the import of items.
U.S. Customs may also order intensive exams on any shipments containing food products, medications or liquor.
The owner of the goods is responsible to pay for the exams and any d