Study Abroad

Study Abroad Pre-departure Information for Students

CUSTOMS AND IMMIGRATION

Entering a Foreign Country

Customs declaration forms are distributed on ships and planes and should be prepared in advance of your arrival for presentation to the immigration and customs inspectors. Whether or not you have anything to declare, you must at least fill out the identification section of the form.

Upon entering the foreign country, you must show your passport, turn in your customs declaration form and pass through a baggage check. Customs regulations and procedures, as well as the purpose, nature and thoroughness of the customs check, vary radically from country to country. If you are traveling with unusual items or large quantities of any kind of goods, check with the appropriate embassy before departure to find out if such articles are prohibited from entry.

CAUTION: Do not misrepresent what may be contained in a package. Customs officials the world over open packages regularly and randomly (not just “suspicious-looking” ones), and making a false declaration can be a serious matter.

Re-entry into the United States

• Everyone must complete the identification portion of the customs form.
• Duty regulations place limits on the dollar amount of duty free goods you may bring back to the U.S.
• If you do not exceed the duty-free limitation, you need only declare the total value of the goods accompanying you.
• If you surpass the limitation then you must fill out a written declaration form listing everything acquired abroad that you bring home and the price paid.
• All items included on your declaration form must accompany you.

Articles prohibited from being brought into the United States:

• Certain meats or cheeses, fresh fruit
• Agricultural products
• Books and media violating copyright laws
• Endangered species and their by-products
• Hazardous articles and substances (narcotics and dangerous drugs, toxic substances)
• Lottery tickets
• Obscene articles and publications

Remember that “duty-free” only means that you did not pay local taxes in the country of purchase. Also, prices in the duty-free shops may be higher than those in other stores.

Study Abroad Office
Administration Building, 2nd Floor
Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Phone: 410-704-2451

Fax: 410-704-4703
Email: studyabroad@towson.edu