United States customs rules & duty-free allowances

Last reviewed October 1, 2026·Official source

The biggest customs risk for visitors to the United States is underestimating how aggressively CBP enforces food and agricultural rules — a forgotten apple or a piece of salami can trigger an immediate fine at the border. The US also has no national tourist VAT refund, so do not expect to reclaim sales tax when you leave. These rules apply to non-resident adult travellers arriving on a temporary visit; US citizens and returning residents have separate, often more generous allowances.

Duty-free allowances

Alcohol

1.0 L

1 litre (33.8 fl oz) of alcohol, regardless of type (spirits, wine, or beer). You must be 21 or older. Above 1 litre, you pay federal duty and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) excise tax, plus any state taxes. You cannot mix and match to exceed 1 litre total.

Tobacco

200 cigarettes

or 100 cigars / 100 g

Cash to declare

$10,000

You must declare if you are carrying more than $10,000 USD (or foreign equivalent) in currency or monetary instruments (traveller's checks, money orders, etc.). There is no limit on how much you can bring — you just have to report it on FinCEN Form 105, which you can fill out at the airport or online. Failure to declare can lead to seizure of the entire amount and civil penalties.

Goods duty-free

$800

You may bring in $800 USD worth of goods duty-free for personal use or gifts. If you exceed $800, the next $1,000 is taxed at a flat 3% duty rate, and anything above $1,800 is subject to the regular duty rates for that item (which vary by product and country of origin). This $800 exemption applies only if you have been outside the US for at least 48 hours and have not used the exemption in the past 30 days. Otherwise, the limit drops to $200.

Prohibited — banned from import

Narcotics and illegal drugs, including marijuana — even if legal in your home country or in some US states, it remains illegal under federal law at the border.
Cuban cigars and Cuban-origin alcohol (with limited exceptions for travellers from Cuba).
Meat and meat products from countries with certain animal diseases (e.g., foot-and-mouth disease).
Most fresh fruits and vegetables from regions with plant pests or diseases.
Soil, plants, seeds, and cut flowers that may carry pests.
Counterfeit goods and pirated media (movies, music, software).

Restricted — allowed with a permit or declaration

Firearms and ammunition — you must declare them and they are subject to strict regulations; some are prohibited.
Certain prescription medications, especially controlled substances — need a valid prescription and may be limited.
Live animals and pets — require health certificates and rabies vaccination proof.
Cultural artifacts and archaeological objects — may require export permits from the country of origin.
Drones — must comply with FAA regulations and may require registration.

Arriving: red vs green channel

After you clear immigration, you pick up your bags and go through customs. You'll fill out a customs declaration form (either on paper or via the CBP One app / APC kiosk). If you have nothing to declare and are under the limits, you can use the green channel or just hand your form to the officer. If you have items to declare, food, or more than $10,000 in cash, use the red channel and tell the officer. Random inspections happen, and lying on the form is a federal offence.

Bringing medication

You can bring personal prescription medication for your own use, but it must be in its original container with a valid prescription. You can bring up to a 90-day supply of non-controlled prescription drugs. Controlled substances (e.g., narcotics, stimulants, some sedatives) require a prescription and are limited to 50 dosage units unless you have a valid prescription for more. Some drugs that are legal in other countries are illegal in the US — check the DEA list. Never bring medication for someone else.

Food, plants & animal products

All food and agricultural products must be declared. Many are prohibited: fresh fruits and vegetables, meats (including jerky, salami, and canned meat), dairy products, and plants/soil are generally banned from most countries. Some items like baked goods, candy, and certain cheeses may be allowed. If you fail to declare, you face immediate fines starting at $300 and up to $1,000, plus possible confiscation. The US has zero tolerance for undeclared food.

Rules worth knowing

48-hour rule for the $800 exemption

You only get the $800 duty-free allowance if you have been outside the US for at least 48 hours and have not used the exemption in the past 30 days. If you're a frequent traveller or on a short trip, your limit is only $200.

Family members can combine exemptions

If you're travelling with family members (including children), you can combine your $800 exemptions to cover a single item worth more than $800, as long as each person is entitled to the exemption. For example, a family of four can bring in a $3,200 item duty-free.

Duty on excess is on the full value

If you exceed the $800 limit, you pay duty on the entire value of the item, not just the amount over $800. For example, a $1,000 item would be taxed on the full $1,000, not just $200.

No VAT refund for tourists

The United States does not have a national VAT refund scheme for tourists. Some states offer sales tax refunds for certain purchases, but this is rare and not available at the airport. Do not expect to reclaim sales tax when leaving.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, for personal use. Bring it in the original container with your name on the prescription. You can bring up to a 90-day supply of non-controlled medication. For controlled substances, you need a valid prescription and are limited to 50 dosage units unless the prescription is for more. Always declare it if asked.

If you fail to declare food or agricultural products, you face an immediate fine of $300 to $1,000, and the items will be confiscated. You may also be subject to further inspections and penalties. It's not worth the risk — declare everything.

No. You must be 21 or older to bring alcohol or tobacco into the US. If you are under 21, these items will be confiscated and you may face penalties.

No, you only need to declare if the total amount of currency and monetary instruments you are carrying exceeds $10,000 USD. There is no limit on how much you can bring, but you must report amounts over $10,000.

Yes, but you must have a valid rabies vaccination certificate for dogs older than 3 months. The certificate must be in English and show the vaccination date and expiry. Some breeds may be restricted. Check with the CDC for current requirements.

For the first $1,000 over your $800 exemption, you pay a flat 3% duty. Above that, regular duty rates apply, which vary by item and country of origin. For example, clothing might be 10-20%, electronics 0-5%.

Generally no. Cuban cigars are prohibited under the US embargo on Cuba. There are limited exceptions for travellers who visited Cuba and are bringing back up to $100 worth of Cuban-origin goods, but this does not apply to most travellers. Check current regulations before you travel.

Official source

U.S. Customs and Border Protection