🇺🇸 United States Customs Guide
What customs allows you to bring into United States — duty-free caps, banned and restricted goods, and medication rules, from official sources.
Fully verified · Authority: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) / TSA · Last verified
Every section below carries verbatim quotes from official customs sources captured on the verification date.
Two different questions. Airport security screening (TSA/CATSA — can it go through the checkpoint?) is separate from customs (may it enter the country at all?). This page covers customs after arrival in United States; for checkpoint rules, see the item guides.
Duty-free allowances
Returning US residents receive an $800 personal exemption (after 48 hours abroad; once every 30 days). Non-resident visitors may bring up to $100 in gifts. Tobacco: 200 cigarettes (1 carton) and 100 cigars. Alcohol: 1 liter (33.8 fl oz) duty-free for travelers 21 years of age or older. Family members living in the same household may combine individual duty-free exemptions.
“Returning resident travelers are generally allowed to bring up to $800 worth of merchandise duty-free, including 1 liter of alcoholic beverages (adults 21+), 200 cigarettes and 100 cigars.”
“Non-residents may bring in free of duty 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 2 kilograms (4.4 lbs.) of smoking tobacco, or proportionate amounts of each, and 1 liter of alcoholic beverages.”
Prohibited & restricted goods
Absolute prohibitions: illicit narcotics, counterfeit goods, switchblades, items from sanctioned/embargoed countries (Cuba, Iran, North Korea), and dog/cat fur products. Strictly restricted: fresh fruits, vegetables, meat products, plants, soil, firearms, ammunition, and wildlife products protected under CITES. Note: Real ID is mandatory for all domestic US air travel identity verification at TSA checkpoints.
“Fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, and unprocessed animal products are prohibited or strictly restricted to protect US agriculture from foreign pests and diseases.”
“Real ID enforcement requires state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards to be Real ID compliant for boarding domestic commercial aircraft.”
Medication & prescription drugs
Prescription medications must be in original labeled pharmacy containers with the patient's name and doctor's prescription. Travelers may carry up to a 90-day personal supply. Controlled substances (narcotics, sleep aids, stimulants) must be declared to CBP officers at port of entry. Foreign medications not FDA-approved may not be imported unless meeting personal importation exemption criteria.
“Medications should be in their original packaging with personal prescription labels. Do not carry more than a 90-day supply. Declare all medications upon entry.”
“Travelers must declare all drugs, medicinals, and similar products to the appropriate CBP official.”
International Travel & Border Protection
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United States customs FAQs
What is the duty-free allowance for 美国?
Returning US residents receive an $800 personal exemption (after 48 hours abroad; once every 30 days). Non-resident visitors may bring up to $100 in gifts. Tobacco: 200 cigarettes (1 carton) and 100 cigars. Alcohol: 1 liter (33.8 fl oz) duty-free for travelers 21 years of age or older. Family members living in the same household may combine individual duty-free exemptions.
What items are prohibited or restricted at 美国 customs?
Absolute prohibitions: illicit narcotics, counterfeit goods, switchblades, items from sanctioned/embargoed countries (Cuba, Iran, North Korea), and dog/cat fur products. Strictly restricted: fresh fruits, vegetables, meat products, plants, soil, firearms, ammunition, and wildlife products protected under CITES. Note: Real ID is mandatory for all domestic US air travel identity verification at TSA checkpoints.
Can I bring medication into 美国?
Prescription medications must be in original labeled pharmacy containers with the patient's name and doctor's prescription. Travelers may carry up to a 90-day personal supply. Controlled substances (narcotics, sleep aids, stimulants) must be declared to CBP officers at port of entry. Foreign medications not FDA-approved may not be imported unless meeting personal importation exemption criteria.
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