U.S. Customs recommends Americans traveling abroad take documentation along for expensive jewelry and electronics taken out of the country to avoid having to pay duty on the items upon reentry. Travelers can register such items in advance by filing a CBD Form 4457 with local customs officials prior to departure.
Travelers are prohibited or restricted from bringing many items obtained abroad back into the country. Examples provided by U.S. Customs include things such as "illegal substances, narcotics paraphernalia and dangerous toys." Restricted items are those that require special federal permits for importation such as "firearms, agricultural products and animals."
On return, travelers must, according to customs regulations declare; "all items in possession purchased abroad (including "duty-free" purchases), items received as gifts or by inheritance, items purchased for someone else, items purchased abroad that were shipped back to the U.S. and items that are intended for resale."
An individual duty-free exemption, "$800 in most cases," allows purchases totaling up to the exemption amount to be brought back into the country without payment of any duty. Complete details on duty-free exemptions are available at the U.S. Customs website.
