USA – IMPORT REGULATIONS

At the time of compiling this information sheet, the following documentation is required to import household goods and personal effects into the USA:

It is absolutely necessary essential that the following documentation is filled in by yourselves and your client prior to packing and prior to delivering into our warehouse or loading into container.

Returning US Resident’s:

3299 + Supplemental
Power of Attorney
Copy of passport(s) showing clear photos

4a. Inventory – Full description of items necessary. Do not show just Misc or PBO

4b. Where dutiable items have been purchased in the last 12 months, a valued inventory is required, also showing the country of origin

5. Forms must be fully completed but absolute essential information required is

- Social security number

- Date of birth

- Passport number

Non-residents and person’s immigrating:

3299 + Supplemental
Power of Attorney
Inventory – Full description of items necessary. Do not show just Misc
Visa number and the type of visa (work visa, student visa or other)
Copy of passport(s) showing clear photos
Passport number

- Country of issue

- Date of issue

- The expiry date

In cases where the client does not have any have a full visa, in other words a person just entering the US for a short period, they will have to send to the agent a photocopy of their Visa Waiver I-94w. This is the form that is filled in before going through US customs. The client retains the lower part until departure.

Important – Shipments to the US cannot arrive before the owner of the goods. When making bookings please ensure that you give the full names of clients as stated on their passports. Bookings received that do not follow the above instructions will not be shipped and any charges for storage or demurrage will be for your account.

Prohibited Articles

All Food and drink items in groupage containers (For FCL consignments where the client wishes to ship liquor please see the below section)
Drugs and medicines without prescriptions
Plants
Animal products (skins, trophies etc.)

Liquor and Wine

For Sole use FCL containers we strongly advise that you tell your clients not to ship any food or drink to the US. If however your client insists they want to send either they will have to comply with the latest procedures.

Customs will require a list of each item stating where it was manufactured and when. Each item will be taken away by customs & classified by customs, if they reject one item in the container, the whole shipment will be seized and examined. This will result in delays and additional charges. Any costs relating to this process will have to be borne by your client.

In the event that client does insist on shipping either you should get the client to sign a waiver stating that are prepared to accept full responsibility and are prepared to meet all and any costs that are incurred in the process.

Motor Vehicles

Vehicles manufactured in the USA – these must comply with the anti-pollution regulations established by the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Transport Safety Standards.

Vehicles manufactured in a foreign country – these must be brought up to US standards prior to exportation and must display a sticker of confirmation. The cost to have vehicles brought up to standard after importation is exorbitant so should be done in the UK. However should anything be found to be wrong with it once in the US the vehicle will be put into bond. We therefore highly recommend against shipping any vehicle to the states.

Fire Arms and Ammunition

Importation is complex and it is preferable that they be excluded from a shipment of household goods, as they will probably delay the clearance and delivery, which may lead to additional charges being incurred. Should it become necessary to include the above, a permit is required for importation into the U.S. The importer must complete forms 6 and 6A, available from the U.S. Embassy in London, in triplicate and submit for approval to: Director, Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Division, Internal Revenue Service, Washington DC 20224.

Permit applications may take up to 60 days to process.

Returning U.S. citizens, taking back with them a firearm originally purchased in the U.S., can do so without the requirement of a permit, subject to documentary proof of the original purchase, a copy of which should be lodged with shipping prior to shipping. If such documentary evidence is not available a permit is required.

Antiques and Original Works Of Art

Original works of art by recognised artists, and antiques that are over 100 years old on the date of importation may be imported duty-free. US customs requires itemised invoices with name of artist for original works of art and the approximate year of production for antiques

Documents required for antiques:

Statement signed by importer stating either for personal use, not for resale or for resale
Supplier's invoice showing description, value and circa date
Detailed packing list - must be able to match items on invoice with packing list