19 U.S.C. § 1496a — Clearance restrictions of individuals returning from abroad; special circumstances; “baggage and effects” defined
submitted 48 years ago by Pub. L. 95-410 to r/title-19-CUSTOMS-DUTIES · 150 words · no verdicts yet
People returning to the United States generally cannot demand duty-free baggage admission without entry or expedited customs clearance. An exception applies to special circumstances, and the section defines “baggage and effects.”
Unless another law provides otherwise, a person returning to the United States from abroad is not entitled to have baggage and effects admitted duty-free without an entry or to expedited customs examination and clearance. The expedited-clearance rule does not apply in special circumstances, including serious illness or infirmity, being summoned by news of affliction or disaster, or accompanying a deceased relative’s body.
“Baggage and effects” means any article the person possessed abroad that is imported with the person’s arrival and intended for the person’s genuine personal or household use. It does not include an article imported as a favor for someone else or for sale or other commercial use.
Except as otherwise provided by law, no individual returning to the United States from abroad shall be—
entitled to the admission of his or her baggage and effects free of duty without entry; or
entitled to expedited customs examination and clearance of his or her baggage and effects.
Paragraph (2) shall not apply to individuals in special circumstances (including being seriously ill or infirm, having been summoned by news of affliction or disaster, and accompanying the body of a deceased relative). For purposes of this section, the term “baggage and effects” means any article which was in the possession of the individual while abroad and is being imported in connection with his or her arrival and is intended for his or her bona fide personal or household use. Such term does not include any article imported as an accommodation to others or for sale or other commercial use.
Source credit: (Pub. L. 95–410, title II, § 215, Oct. 3, 1978, 92 Stat. 904.)
- 1978Enacted · Pub. L. 95-410 · 92 Stat. 904
A history note hasn’t been published yet. The record shows enactment by Pub. L. 95-410 on 1978-10-03.
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