Customs Information, the Arrival-Departure Record (Forms I-94 and I-94W), and Traveling with Pets

Last Updated on 04/21/2011

Trouble, an agriculture detector dog working for U.S. Customs (U.S. Customs photo)

Customs Information

Below please find brief customs information on the most frequently asked items. For detailed information on these and on other items, please read the publication of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Welcome to the United States (PDF 2MB), and visit the Find Answers Section of the CBP web site, where you can also ask specific questions.

Food:

• Food Products (Prepared): As a general rule, condiments, vinegars, oils, packaged spices, honey, ground coffee, tea, bakery items, candy, certain cheeses, and chocolate (except those with alcoholic filling) are admissible.
• Meat: Fresh, dried or canned meats or meat products (e.g. sausage, salami) are prohibited entry into the United States from most foreign countries. This prohibition also applies to almost anything containing meat products, such as bouillon, soup mixes, etc. Commercially canned meat is permitted if the inspector can determine from the label that the meat was cooked in the can, it was hermetically sealed, and can be kept without refrigeration. 
• Fruits and Vegetables: Many fruits, vegetables, plants, nuts, grains, seeds, or unprocessed plant products are either prohibited from entering the country or require an import permit. Every single plant, plant product, fruit, or vegetable must be declared to the CBP officer/CBP agriculture specialist and must be presented for inspection no matter how free of pests it appears to be.

For more information, please read the relevant answer in the Q&A section of CBP.

Medicine and Narcotics:

A general rule: Bring only the medicines you will need, no more, no less. A traveler requiring medicines that contain potentially addictive drugs or narcotics (e.g. some cough medicines, tranquilizers, sleeping pills, antidepressants, or stimulants) should:

• Declare all such drugs, or medicines, and similar products to the CBP officer;
• Carry such substances in their original containers;
• Carry only the quantity of such substances that a person with that condition (e.g. chronic pain) would normally carry for his/her personal use; and
• Carry a prescription or written statement from your physician that the substances are being used under a doctor's supervision and that they are necessary for your physical well being while traveling.

Please note that only medications that can be legally prescribed in the United States may be imported for personal use.

For more information, please read the relevant answer in the Q&A section of CBP and visit FDA’s Drugs page.

Alcoholic Beverages:

Nonresidents who are at least 21 years old may bring in, free of duty and internal revenue tax, up to one liter of alcoholic beverage -beer, wine, liquor- for personal use. Quantities above the one-liter limitation are subject to duty and internal revenue tax. In addition to federal laws, you must also meet state alcoholic beverage laws, which may be more restrictive than federal laws. For more information, please read the relevant answer in the Q&A section of CBP.

Tobacco Products:

You may include in your personal exemption not more than 200 cigarettes (one carton) or 100 cigars. Cigars of Cuban origin are prohibited entry.

Money and Monetary Instruments:

You may bring into or take out of the United States, including by mail, as much money as you wish. However, more than $10,000, must be declared to CBP. Families traveling together must declare currency if the total combined amount is over $10,000. For example, if you have $10,000 with you plus a couple of coins in your pocket, you are in violation of the Currency Reporting statute. It is better to be safe and declare it—ask the CBP officer for the Currency Reporting Form (FinCEN 105). The penalties for noncompliance can be severe. "Money" means monetary instruments and includes U.S. or foreign coins currently in circulation, currency, travelers’ checks in any form, money orders, etc.

For more information, please see CBP's Welcome to the United States (PDF 2MB).

Arrival-Departure Record (Forms I-94 and I-94W)

The Arrival-Departure Record is a form used to document a traveler's admission into the United States.

Instructions to complete Forms I-94 and I-94W, and Frequently Asked Questions about the Form can be found on the I-94 and I-94W page of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Traveling with Pets

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regulations govern the importation of dogs, cats, turtles, monkeys, other animals, and animal products capable of causing human disease.

The CDC does not require general certificates of health for pets for entry into the United States. However, health certificates may be required for entry into some states, or may be required by airlines for pets. You should check with officials in your state of destination and with your airline prior to your travel date.

Cats:

• Cats must be free of evidence of diseases communicable to man. Cats are subject to inspection at ports of entry and may be denied entry into the United States if they have evidence of an infectious disease that can be transmitted to humans. If a cat appears to be ill, further examination by a licensed veterinarian at the owner's expense might be required at the port of entry.
• Cats are not required to have proof of rabies vaccination for importation into the United States. However, some states require vaccination of cats for rabies, so it is a good idea to check with state and local health authorities at your final destination.
• All pet cats arriving in the state of Hawaii and the territory of Guam, even from the U.S. mainland, are subject to locally imposed quarantine requirements.
• If you are bringing your cat to the U.S. on an airplane, you should check with the airline about their requirements for transporting animals. Many airlines require a certificate of health from a veterinarian.

Dogs:

• Dogs must be free of evidence of diseases communicable to man and must be vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days prior to arrival. Dogs are subject to inspection at ports of entry and may be denied entry into the United States if they have evidence of an infectious disease that can be transmitted to humans. If a dog appears to be ill, further examination by a licensed veterinarian at the owner's expense might be required at the port of entry.
• A valid rabies vaccination certificate must accompany the animal. The certificate should identify the animal, the dates of vaccination and expiration, and bear the signature of a licensed veterinarian. If no expiration date is specified, the certificate is acceptable if the date of vaccination is no more than 12 months prior to arrival in the United States.
• Following importation, all dogs are subject to state and local vaccination or health certificate requirements.
• All pet dogs arriving in the state of Hawaii and the territory of Guam, even from the U.S. mainland, are subject to locally imposed quarantine requirements.

For further information, please visit the Bringing an Animal into the United States page of CDC.