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Crossing Multiple Different Borders (Customs) with New Purchases

I am presently abroad now in Russia, and it looks like I may end up passing the $800 US exemption with purchases made here, as I have been tasked with purchasing the usual "Russian" goods, specifically caviar, vodka, and perhaps fur.

Now, I understand that upon my return to the US, I need to declare everything and retain my receipts, but there is a wrinkle. Before returning stateside, I will be spending a few days each in the Czech Republic and in France. I don't expect to bring anything back from either country, but my final routing is CDG-ORD, and I understand that the US presently has a "301" protocol on goods from France that exceed the $800 limit, thereby requiring 100% duty on all excess.

So, will I need to declare everything and to pay customs duties when entering the Czech Republic, France, and then the US, or will I just declare and owe upon return to the US? Likewise, will duties be assessed as if the items were purchased in France? The resources on CBP's website do not clarify the situation when traveling through several different countries with purchases, though it seems that if the purchases are treated as from Russia (as they in fact are), then there would be a 3% levy on each $1000 above the $800 limit [as in, were I to return with $1800 in dutiable goods, I would owe $30 in customs duty].

I appreciate any clarification that can be offered.

in a recent thread, someone stated that caviar wasn't allowed by us customs...i couldn't find anything on the customs site looking for prohibited items & gave up....anyway, you probably have it so bring it back...i'll try again....good luck...

125 grams of caviar... according to CBP

Quote:

The beluga sturgeon (huso huso) is protected as a threatened species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. This law generally prohibits the import/export and interstate sale of listed species and products made from them.

The United States banned the importation of beluga sturgeon in any form (including caviar) from the Caspian Sea basin as of September 30, 2005, and from the Black Sea basin as of October 28, 2005. No beluga caviar from any country in these basins could be legally imported after these dates.

The affected countries are: Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Kazakhstan, Romania, the Russian Federation, Serbia and Montenegro, Turkey, Turkmenistan, and Ukraine.

http://www.fws.gov/le/ImpExp/BuyingImportedCaviar.htm

Well, that's helpful and somewhat frustrating...

What about the issue of passing customs in several different countries?

in the past, in europe, i would go thru the "nothing to declare" exclusively, because i had nothing to declare that would remain in the country.... i think i would do that now....good luck...

The US duty should be based on where you bought the items, if it varies by origin. So save your receipts.

Pass-through duty is going to depend on the countries' local laws. In general, you only pay duty on items you're going to import (leave in the country), but you have to convince the customs agent which may be difficult. If it was just normal souvenirs, you'd probably be okay. But booze, tobacco, and luxury items (like furs and caviar) may be subject to extra rules.