U.S. CUSTOMS PROHIBITIONS LAWS

by Ted Peterson
This web page is set up with the items that has restrictions on their importation into the U.S. If you want to import the following items you may need a special permit or the item may not be imported under any circumstance. Some of the listed items below may need some other special permits.
This is NOT a complete list. If you are bringing back some special item, contact the US Customs Service at any American Embassy or U.S. Customs Service at 1300 Pennsylvania Ave., NW Washington, DC 20229. Phone number 202-354-1000. Web http://www.customs.gov
Items that cannot enter the US under any permits.
Cuban tobacco items.
Drugs that the US has declared unlawful.
Birds, fish, and animals that are listed under Endangered Species Listing.
Monkeys and other primates as pets.
Any item made from dog or cat fur ($10,000 penalty).
Ivory or item made from ivory.
Other endangered items -plants, -flora -coral -etc.
Tortoise shell, reptiles, fur skins, coral, birds.
Dangerous toys.
Firearms
Cultural Artifacts and Cultural Property of Different Countries.
Automobiles that does not meet EPA rules.
Also you cannot bring or ship any trademarked item that is made in any county outside of the U.S. that is obtained outside of the U.S. The importers in the U.S. have received U.S. trademark protection and if you want to bring an item purchase overseas without going through inporter back into the U.S. you have to destroy the trademark name on the items. Some importer will let you bring in 1 each of an item but no more. They will not let you ship one in. Do not buy these items as you do not know what the customs agent will do. I have had to do this with 2 cameras that I ordered from Japan. The first one they let me bring in by putting black tape over the name but the other time I had to remove the name from the camera. A friend of mine picked up a Nikon camera in England and had to buff off the Nikon name on both the camera and the lens before they would let him bring it in. You would them have a hard time if you want to sell the camera.
There are a few countries that you cannot bring any thing back. To ses a list click here.
There are a lot of other rules about items that you cannot bring back. Check with U.S. Custom before you bring back any thing. If you bring back an item that is on their list, you will lose it.
To go back to the opening main menu click here.
To go back to the custom menu click here.
  • Any Comments, Questions, or Inquiries: E-Mail_w7wwg@jps.net