FAQs
May be eligible for an award of up to 25% net revenue recovery, fines or penalties (not to exceed $250,000). For more information, click on link to Filing a Claim for Informant Compensation under Additional Resources below. CBP will process these as quickly as feasible.
How do I know if I have a customs violation? ›
Travelers may receive an email indicating they have 10 days remaining on their admission into the United States or an email regarding a potential violation.
How do I report a customs violation? ›
Call 1-866-347-2423, the ICE Homeland Security Investigations Tip Line, to report an immigration violation from the U.S. or Canada. If you are in another country, call 1-802-872-6199.
What happens if you don't declare at US Customs? ›
Once the property is not declared, Customs will generally seize it at the time. Some days or weeks later, you should receive a notice of seizure letter by U.S. mail.
How do you know if you are flagged by CBP? ›
Travelers may check their admission status at https://I94.cbp.dhs.gov and clicking on the 'View Compliance' tab. E-mail notifications will come from travelercompliance@cbp.dhs.gov. If your notification e-mail did not come from this address, it may be a phishing scam or other fraudulent e-mail.
What are disqualifiers for CBP? ›
Some issues that may result in an unfavorable suitability determination include: financial irresponsibility; poor credit history; drug/alcohol abuse; arrest history; misconduct in prior employment; association with individuals involved in illegal activities such as drug use and drug trafficking; and demonstrated lack ...
Do customs violations go away? ›
A traveler inadvertently carrying an apple may have no idea he is being written up for a violation, only to later receive an email stating he has just been revoked from the program. Once you receive a customs violation, it apparently always stays on your file.
What is considered a customs violation? ›
If you intentionally leave out items, misrepresent their value, or make other false declarations, this can lead to criminal charges. You can also incur criminal charges if you fail to disclose when you enter or leave the country with more than $10,000 worth of currency.
Can CBP check your phone? ›
CBP agents may swipe through your phone or look through the documents on your com- puter. The government also claims the authority to copy the data on your electronic devices.
What happens if you violate customs? ›
Those in violation of these laws may face both criminal and civil penalties. Customs violations often come with provisions for forfeiture. That means that the CBP can seize illegal items. If the transporter violated the law, they will not get the items back.
Remember to declare all goods you bring into the United States, including gifts and souvenirs. Even if an item is intended for someone else or has sentimental value, it must be declared. A detailed description and estimated value for each item will facilitate the customs process.
What can I do to clear customs? ›
To clear customs, businesses or individuals must provide detailed information about the shipment, including its value, origin, destination, and contents. Businesses or individuals may also be required to submit supporting documentation, such as invoices or bills of lading.
What is the penalty for not declaring customs? ›
The criminal fine is up to $500,000 or twice the value of the contraband non-declared products, whichever is greater. The fines don't stop there. In additional to the criminal penalty, there is a civil penalty of up to $10,000, or the value of the contraband non-declared product, whichever is greater.
What is the penalty for customs declaration? ›
Current law
The Schedule to the Regulations provides details of the relevant rules which, if breached, may make a person liable to a civil penalty. It sets the maximum penalty for the contravention of a customs provision at either £1,000 or £2,500. There are no fixed penalties.
What is the customs limit in the US? ›
Bringing Items Home in Your Luggage
You can take home $800 worth of items per person duty-free in your luggage, once every 31 days (family members can combine their individual $800 exemptions on a joint declaration). Above that amount, you can expect to pay extra.
What is the CBP program? ›
CBP's Trade programs apply expertise, technology, and automation that not only creates streamlined and efficient processes to facilitate the global exchange of safe and legitimate goods, but also minimizes cost and provides certainty, transparency, and predictability to members of the trade community." This underpins ...
What is CBP Form 3499 used for? ›
CBP Form 3499 - Application and Approval to Manipulate, Examine, Sample, or Transfer Goods. Attachment.
What is the CBP recruitment incentive? ›
Border Patrol Agent Recruitment Incentive
Newly hired Border Patrol Agents will be offered a $20,000 recruitment incentive upon successful completion of the academy and three years of service.
What is a CBP payment? ›
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) accepts Department of Treasury authorized payment methods, including credit cards, for the payment of non-commercial entry duties, taxes, fees, and other charges at designated CBP border/land locations.