House Hold Effects

Personal and household effects can be imported duty and tax free, providing they have been owned and used by the client for at least one year before their arrival in the USA. The client must have arrived in the country prior to the arrival of the effects in order to prove their eligibility for duty free status and finalise the clearance. If duty free exemption is not required the client does not have to be in the country. In either case all customs forms must be completed in the UK ready for presentation to US customs at time of consignment arrival.

Due to heightened security measures, most containers of household and personal effects entering the USA are subject to examination by US customs. Checks can range from container x-ray through to full physical examination. All checks made by customs incur costs which cannot be pre-paid in the UK. These include, but are not limited to: x-ray; handling and re-stowing of effects; container demurrage; port storage. Importers should beware that if a full examination is required, the costs could range into the thousands of dollars.

Required documentation for household goods only:

· US customs form 3299
· Treasury department 3299 supplemental declaration RC-159
· Power of attorney
· Copy of entry Visa
· Copy of passport
· Packing list (completed by packing crew)