customs question
 

I've read alot about customs requirements, but I'm confused because it seems like everything i read says something different (first international travel). I'm leaving the US to go to Romania. How many times do I go through customs? I've read that I need to go through it before I leave and get some kind of registration for any electronics or valuables I take with me so I have proof I had them before I left the country. I read somewhere else that when I get to Romania they will write it in my passport and that's all i have to do. I know I have to go through customs when I get there, when I leave there, and then when I get back so I guess my question is - Do I have to go through customs before I leave and which of the two things I read were correct? :confused:

Uh, you will go through customs 1)after you land in Romania, 2)they may check when you depart Romania but rarely do, and 3) when you get back to the US.

The only time the Romanians ever wrote goods into my passport was when I use to drive there from Bulgaria on a weekly basis (or fly depending on the mood) and they recorded my car into my passport. And they do check as I found out when I left Bucharest via plane after I got in a car accident and had to leave the car in Romania for repairs. They pulled me aside and required all documentation.

No issues with laptops, cameras, etc.

I also lived in Romania for a year and had my stuff shipped in from the USA. All documents were fine but I had to bribe the customs officials a few bucks to get them to release it...not much I could have done back then.

The only time you'd have to prove you had electronic stuff before you left is when you've been to a place where you can buy it cheap. In that case, if you have a new-looking or current-model laptop/PDA/digital camera/etc., U.S. Customs might think you bought it over there. Unless Romania has turned into an electronics shopper's mecca without my noticing, you don't have to worry on that score.

Ok thanks for the info.. Much appreciated ;)