22 U.S.C. § 288b — Baggage and effects of officers and employees exempted from customs duties and internal revenue taxes

Under regulations that the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection writes, with the approval of the Secretary of the Treasury, certain baggage and personal effects can come into the United States free of customs duties and free of internal-revenue taxes that would normally apply to imports. This exemption covers the baggage and effects of: alien officers and employees of international organizations; aliens designated by foreign governments to represent them in or to such organizations; and the families, household staff ("suites"), and servants of those officers, employees, or representatives. The exemption only applies when the items are imported in connection with the owner's own arrival in the country.