PERSONAL DECLARATIONS AND EXEMPTIONS

• Citation: 19 CFR Part 148
• Sections: 81

§ 148.1 Registration of effects to be taken abroad.

(a) Persons who may use procedure. Any person, except a nonresident seaman, airman, or person engaged in similar employment, who intends to take effects of foreign origin abroad may register such articles before departure from the United States in order to facilitate their identification on return to the United States. Only articles of foreign origin having serial numbers or other distinctive, permanently affixed unique markings can be registered.

(b) Procedures for registration. Applicants for registration of articles of foreign origin shall present the articles, together with a completed, but unsigned, Customs Form 4457, or its electronic equivalent, which may be obtained in advance of departure, to a Customs officer. After the Customs officer has examined the articles and verified their description, he shall have the applicant sign the form. The Customs officer shall then sign the form and return it to the applicant for presentation on return of the articles. Customs form 4455, or its electronic equivalent, may be required in any case in which Customs form 4457, or its electronic equivalent, will not adequately serve the purpose of registration.

(c) Presentation on return and reuse. The form shall be presented to the Customs officer when the registered articles are returned to the United States. The form shall be valid for reuse as long as the document is legible to identify the registered articles.

§ 148.2 Residence status of arriving persons.

(a) General. Persons arriving from foreign countries will be divided into two classes for Customs purposes:

(1) Residents of the United States returning from abroad, and

(2) All other persons, hereinafter referred to as nonresidents.

(b) Status as returning resident. Citizens of the United States, or persons who have formerly resided in the United States, (including American citizens who are residents of American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, or the Virgin Islands of the United States) will be deemed residents of the United States returning from abroad within the meaning of “residents” as used in Chapter 98, Subchapter IV, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (19 U.S.C. 1202), in the absence of satisfactory evidence that they have established a home elsewhere. The residence of a minor child will be presumed to be the residence of the child's parents.

(c) Status as nonresident. Any person arriving in the United States who is not a resident of the United States or who, though a resident of the United States, is not returning from abroad, will be treated for the purpose of these regulations as a nonresident.

(d) Optional claim of nonresident status. Any person arriving in the United States who would otherwise be considered a returning resident, may claim at his option the status of a nonresident if he intends to remain in the United States for only a short period of time before returning abroad. If the status as a nonresident claimed by an arriving person is allowed, the procedures in § 148.8 will be followed.

§ 148.3 Customs treatment after transiting the Panama Canal.

Passengers' baggage and effects and purchases of officers and crewmembers landed in the United States from vessels which have transited the Panama Canal are subject to Customs examination and treatment in the same manner as arrivals from any other foreign country.

§ 148.4 Accompanying articles.

(a) Generally. Articles shall be considered as accompanying a passenger or brought in by him if the articles arrive on the same vessel, vehicle, or aircraft on the same date as that of his arrival in the United States.

(b) Baggage shipped as freight. Articles in baggage shipped as freight on a bill of lading or airway bill shall be considered as accompanying a passenger when the baggage arrives on the conveyance on which he arrives in the United States.

(c) Precleared articles. Articles in baggage, or in baggage shipped as freight, shall be considered as accompanying a passenger if examined at an established preclearance station and the baggage is hand-carried, checked or manifested on the conveyance on which he arrives in the United States.

(d) Automobiles. An automobile which arrives on the same mode of conveyance on the same date as a passenger arrives in the United States shall be considered as accompanying him.

(e) Misdirected baggage. Baggage which arrives on the same mode of conveyance ahead of, or after a passenger, shall be treated as accompanying him if it is fully evident to the examining officer from the circumstances that:

(1) The passenger intended the baggage to arrive with him; and

(2) It was misdirected through no fault of the passenger.

§ 148.5 Regular entry of articles in baggage.

Subject to any applicable exemption from entry requirements, articles imported as baggage but not passed under a baggage declaration or under the procedure provided in § 148.6 for unaccompanied shipments of effects subject to personal exemptions shall be entered in the same manner as a cargo importation of like goods. In making regular entry for articles imported in baggage, the value of articles entitled to free entry under subheadings 9804.00.10, or 9804.00.45, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (19 U.S.C. 1202), shall be disregarded in determining whether formal or informal entry is required.

§ 148.6 Entry of unaccompanied shipments of effects subject to personal exemptions.

(a) Declaration to support free entry. When effects claimed to be free of duty under subheadings 9804.00.10, 9804.00.20, 9804.00.25, 9804.00.35 or 9804.00.45, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) (19 U.S.C. 1202), do not accompany the importer on his arrival in the United States or are forwarded in bond, a declaration of the importer on Customs Form 3299, or its electronic equivalent, shall be required to support the claim for free entry. However, an oral declaration may be accepted in lieu of a written declaration on Customs Form 3299, for effects of a resident which are free of duty under subheadings 9804.00.10 or 9804.00.45. Effects of returning residents entitled to free entry under subheadings 9804.00.10 or 9804.00.45 (except automobiles and other vehicles of residents returning from countries other than Canada or Mexico) need not be itemized if a written declaration is required.

(b) Exemption from entry. If the port director is satisfied that an entry would serve no good purpose, none need be required, but evidence of ownership for Customs purposes, such as a carrier's certificate or properly endorsed bill of lading, shall be required with the declaration. Such exemption from entry may also be applied with respect to household effects or tools of trade entitled to free entry (see §§ 148.52 and 148.53 respectively) which are unaccompanied or forwarded in bond.

§ 148.7 Unclaimed baggage.

Articles in passengers' baggage on which duties due are not paid and baggage not claimed within a reasonable time shall be treated as unclaimed and sent to general order.

§ 148.8 Temporary importation by residents arriving for short visits.

A person claiming the status of a nonresident upon arrival for a short visit in the United States before returning abroad may import articles free of duty under subheadings 9804.00.20, 9804.00.25, 9804.00.30, 9804.00.35, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (19 U.S.C. 1202), in accordance with the following procedure:

(a) The person claiming the status shall agree to export all such articles upon his departure from the United States, except articles imported as gifts under subheading 9804.00.30, and articles consumed during his visit;

(b) When required to do so, the person claiming the status shall list all articles of substantial value which he is importing on Customs Form 4455, or its electronic equivalent in duplicate, noting thereon the expected duration of his visit. He shall present the completed form to the inspecting officer who will initial both copies and return the duplicate to him;

(c) Upon his departure from the United States at the completion of his visit, the person claiming the status of a nonresident shall present to a Customs officer the duplicate copy of Customs Form 4455, or its electronic equivalent initialed by the inspecting officer, and the articles listed thereon shall be subject to inspection; and

(d) If he decides not to return abroad, the person claiming the status shall immediately notify the director of the port of entry. The port director will advise him of the amount of duties and taxes due by reason of his failure to return abroad.

§ 148.11 Declaration required.

All articles brought into the United States by any individual must be declared to a CBP officer at the port of first arrival in the United States, on a conveyance en route to the United States on which a CBP officer is assigned for that purpose, or at a preclearance office in a foreign country where a United States CBP officer is stationed for that purpose.

§ 148.12 Oral declarations.

(a) Generally. Returning residents and nonresidents arriving in the United States may make an oral declaration under the conditions set forth in paragraph (b) of this section. However, written declarations may be required generally or in respect to particular types of traffic at any port if necessary to effect prompt and orderly clearance of passengers and their effects, and may be required in particular cases at any port if deemed necessary to protect the revenue. If an oral declaration is permitted, completion of the identifying information on CBP Form 6059-B may be required.

(b) When permitted. Oral declarations may be permitted under the following conditions:

(1) Residents. A returning resident may make an oral declaration if:

(i) The aggregate fair retail value in the country of acquisition of all accompanying articles acquired abroad by him and of alterations and dutiable repairs made abroad to personal and household effects taken out and brought back by him does not exceed:

(A) $800; or

(B) $800 in the case of a direct arrival from a beneficiary country as defined in U.S. Note 4 to Chapter 98, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (19 U.S.C. 1202); or

(C) $1,600 in the case of a direct or indirect arrival from American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, or the Virgin Islands of the United States, not more than $800 of which must have been acquired elsewhere than in such locations.

(ii) None of his accompanying articles are forwarded in bond; and

(iii) None of his accompanying articles are imported for the account of any other person or for sale.

(2) Nonresidents. An arriving nonresident may make an oral declaration if all the articles he has to declare are:

(i) Entitled to free entry under his personal exemptions (see Subpart E of this part); or

(ii) Eligible for the administrative exemption for articles not exceeding $200 in aggregate value, provided in section 321(a)(2)(B), Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1321(a)(2)(B)) (see § 148.51).

(c) Memorandum baggage declaration for dutiable articles. When an arriving person is carrying a few dutiable or taxable articles which can be readily identified and segregated from articles entitled to free entry under his personal exemptions, the CBP officer may prepare a memorandum baggage declaration using a cash receipt, CBP Form 368 or 368A, for dutiable or taxable articles if he determines that a written declaration by the arriving person is not essential.

§ 148.13 Written declarations.

(a) When required. Unless an oral declaration is accepted under § 148.12, the declaration required of a person arriving in the United States shall be in writing on Customs Form 6059-B.

(b) Completion and presentation of written declarations. The person arriving in the United States shall complete the information required by Customs Form 6059-B and shall list all articles acquired abroad which are in his possession at the time of arrival. Individual items not exceeding $5 per item in fair retail value in the country of acquisition may be grouped on the written declaration as “Miscellaneous” up to but not exceeding a total value of $50. Articles not requiring itemization as set forth in paragraph (c) of this section shall be declared orally to the Customs officer. The form shall be presented to the Customs officer who will inspect the passenger's baggage.

(c) Itemization of certain articles not required. Except as required by § 148.62 or § 148.66 for crewmembers' articles, the following need not be itemized in written declarations:

(1) Effects of a returning resident entitled to free entry under subheading 9804.00.10, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) (19 U.S.C. 1202), for tools of trade taken abroad, or under subheading, 9804.00.45, HTSUS, for personal or household effects taken abroad. However, automobiles and other vehicles of residents returning from countries other than Canada or Mexico and the cost of all repairs or alterations to articles taken abroad must be itemized.

(2) Effects of a nonresident entitled to free entry under subheading 9804.00.20, HTSUS (19 U.S.C. 1202), for wearing apparel and other similar personal effects; subheading 9804.00.25, HTSUS, for tobacco products and alcoholic beverages; subheading 9804.00.30, HTSUS, for articles to be disposed of as bona fide gifts; or subheading 9804.00.40, HTSUS, for articles accompanying a person in transit to a place outside U.S. customs territory.

(3) Books, libraries, furniture, and similar household effects entitled to free entry under subheading 9804.00.05, HTSUS.

(d) Value. Opposite the description of each article required to be declared specifically in a written declaration, the passenger shall state either:

(1) The price actually paid for the article in the currency of purchase, or its equivalent in U.S. currency; or

(2) The fair retail value in the country of acquisition if the article was not acquired by purchase, in the currency of the country in which the article was acquired, or its equivalent in U.S. currency.

(e) Acknowledgment before Customs officer. Each written declaration shall be acknowledged by the declarant before the Customs officer who examines the baggage covered by the declaration.

§ 148.14 Family declarations.

A family group residing in one household, traveling together, and having the same residence status may be permitted to declare orally articles acquired abroad for the personal or household use of any member of the family if the value of such articles does not exceed the total amount of the exemption to which the family group is entitled. (See § 148.34.) Where a written declaration is required, one member of a family group may declare for all. “A family group residing in one household” means persons who are related by blood, marriage, domestic relationship (as defined in § 148.34(c)), or adoption. Individuals who are employed by the household but not related by blood, marriage, domestic relationship, or adoption will not be included in the family declaration.

§ 148.15 Inclusion of articles not for personal or household use.

Articles not personal in character, or which are intended for sale or are brought in on commission for another person, may be included in the baggage declaration of a resident or nonresident under the conditions specified in § 148.23(c). If not so included, regular entry shall be required.

§ 148.16 Amendment of declaration.

(a) Before examination. A passenger shall be permitted to add an article to his declaration if, before examination of his baggage has begun, the fact that the article has not been declared is brought to the attention of the examining officer by the passenger.

(b) After examination is begun. A passenger shall be permitted to add an article to his declaration after examination of his baggage has begun if, before any undeclared article is found, the passenger advises the examining officer that he has such an article and the officer is satisfied that there was no fraudulent intent. Under no circumstances shall a passenger be permitted to add any undeclared article to his declaration after such article has been discovered by the examining officer.

§ 148.17 Declaration on arrival incidental to further foreign travel.

(a) Declaration on incidental arrival. A resident who enters the United States merely as an incident of foreign travel and who will continue his foreign travel before finally returning to the United States from a continuous trip must declare, but need not clear through CBP, any articles he has acquired or had repaired or altered while abroad. The incidental character of the arrival must be made known to the CBP officer.

(b) Treatment of articles on incidental arrival. In order that a resident may claim the $800 or $1,600 exemption upon his final arrival in the United States from a continuous trip, articles accompanying him at the time of an incidental arrival may be exported directly from CBP custody or after transportation in bond, or the articles may be left in CBP custody if the resident upon his final return is to arrive at the CBP facility where the articles are deposited.

(c) Failure to advise of incidental character of arrival. If the traveler fails to advise the CBP officer of the incidental character of his arrival, or for other reason declares any articles for allowance of the $800 or $1,600 exemption, such declaration will mark the beginning of the respective period or periods during which a further exemption cannot be granted.

§ 148.18 Failure to declare.

(a) Penalty incurred. Any article in the baggage of a passenger arriving from a foreign country which is not declared as required by this subpart shall be seized if it is available for seizure at the time the violation is detected, and the personal penalty prescribed by section 497, Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1497), shall be demanded from the passenger. If the article is not seized, a claim for the personal penalty shall be made against the person who imported the article without declaration. No duty shall be collected, because undeclared articles are treated as smuggled.

(b) Remission of liability. When an article not declared as required by this subpart is found in the baggage of a person arriving in the United States, the personal penalty and forfeiture may be mitigated or remitted in accordance with the Guidelines for Disposition of Violations of 19 U.S.C. 1497 in the appendix to part 171 of this chapter.

§ 148.19 False or fraudulent statement.

A passenger who makes any false or fraudulent statement or engages in other conduct within the purview of section 592, Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1592), whereby a Customs officer is or may be induced to pass an article free of duty or at less than the proper amount of duty, or to treat an article in some other manner in order to obtain a benefit, shall be deemed to have violated 19 U.S.C. 1592. In any such case the article involved shall be seized only if one or more of the conditions set forth in section 162.75 of this chapter are present, if it is available for seizure at the time the violation is detected, and if such seizure is otherwise practicable, unless the article is in the possession of an innocent holder for value who has full right to possession as against any party to the Customs violation. If seizure is not made, an amount equivalent to the maximum penalty which may be assessed in accordance with the passenger's degree of culpability as provided in 19 U.S.C. 1592(c) shall be demanded from the passenger. The amount demanded in lieu of seizure shall be determined in accordance with the guidelines contained in the appendix to part 171 of this chapter. In all cases, the estimated duties shall be demanded of the passenger as soon as possible after the discovery of the violation. Any applicable internal revenue tax shall also be demanded unless the merchandise is to be, or has been, forfeited.

§ 148.21 Opening of baggage, compartments, or vehicles.

A Customs officer has the right to open and examine all baggage, compartments and vehicles brought into the United States under Sections 461, 462, 496 and 582, Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1461, 1462, 1496, and 1582) and 19 U.S.C. 482. To the extent practical, the owner or his agent shall be asked to open the baggage, compartment or vehicle first. If the owner or his agent is unavailable or refuses to open the baggage, compartment, or vehicle, it shall be opened by the Customs officer. If any article subject to duty, or any prohibited article is found upon opening by the Customs officer, the whole contents and the baggage or vehicle shall be subject to forfeiture, pursuant to 19 U.S.C. 1462.

§ 148.22 Examination of air travelers' baggage in foreign territory.

(a) Examination and surrender of declaration. When places have been established in a foreign country where U.S. Customs officers have been stationed for the purpose of conducting Customs inspections and examinations (see §§ 101.5 and 162.8 of this chapter), persons destined to the United States on flights shall present themselves to those officers for inspection and examination of their baggage which may be passed in accordance with § 148.23 prior to boarding the flight. They shall comply with all U.S. Customs laws and other civil and criminal laws of the United States relating to importation of merchandise, including baggage, to the filing of false or fraudulent statements, and to the unlawful removal of merchandise from Customs custody, in the same manner as if the passengers, were arriving at an airport within the Customs territory of the United States. When baggage is examined in foreign territory, the baggage declaration shall be surrendered to the Customs officer at the airport of departure for the United States prior to boarding the flight.

(b) Subsequently acquired articles. When a person whose baggage has been examined and passed in foreign territory in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section subsequently acquires additional articles prior to return to the United States, the Customs officer to whom the declaration was surrendered may permit the amendment of that declaration to include the additional articles.

§ 148.23 Examination and clearance of baggage.

(a) Articles free of duty. The inspector, including inspectors on trains or ferries, who examines the baggage of any person arriving in the United States may examine and pass, without limitation as to value, the following articles in such baggage or otherwise accompanying such person:

(1) All articles which are for the personal or household use of the arriving person and are free of duty under Chapter 98, Subchapter IV, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) (19 U.S.C. 1202), including automobiles and other articles under § 148.32.

(2) Works of art classifiable under subheadings 9701.10.00 or 9701.90.00, HTSUS.

(3) Works of art classifiable under subheadings 9702.00.00 or 9703.00.00, HTSUS, upon compliance with § 10.48 of this chapter.

(b) Articles subject to duty. The inspector who examines the baggage of any person arriving in the United States may examine, determine the dutiable value of, collect duty on, and pass articles accompanying the arriving person which are for his personal or household use but are subject to duty, including articles imported to be disposed of by him as bona fide gifts.

(c) Articles not for personal use —(1) Valued at not more than $2,500 (with exceptions). The inspector may also examine, determine the dutiable value of, collect duty on, and pass articles accompanying any person arriving in the United States properly listed on the baggage declaration which are not for the personal or household use of the declarant or which are intended for sale or are brought in on commission for another, provided the aggregate value of such articles is not more than $2,500 (except for articles valued in excess of $250 classified in Chapter 99, Subchapter III and IV, HTSUS).

(2) Valued over $2,500 (with exceptions). Articles in the baggage of or otherwise accompanying any person arriving in the United States which have an aggregate value over $2,500 (except for articles valued in excess of $250 classified in Chapter 99, Subchapters III and IV, HTSUS) and are not intended for his personal or household use, or are intended for sale or are brought in on commission for another, may be examined and entered and cleared on a baggage declaration at the place of their arrival with a passenger if:

(i) The articles are accompanied by a proper invoice if one is required (see § 141.83 of this chapter); and

(ii) It is practicable to appraise the articles at the place of arrival.

(d) Examination of tea for personal use imported in baggage. Tea for personal use in one or more packages weighing not more than 5 pounds each, when imported in a passenger's baggage, may be delivered without examination for purity under 21 U.S.C. 41-50 and without payment of the examination fee prescribed in 21 U.S.C. 46a.

§ 148.24 Determination of dutiable value.

(a) Principles applied. In determining the dutiable value of articles examined under § 148.23, the Customs inspector shall apply the principles of section 402, Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1401a), and shall not regard the declared value or price as conclusive.

(b) Adjustment of value declared. An adjustment shall be made by the Customs inspector whenever the purchase price or value declared differs from the fair retail value, whether by reason of depreciation due to wear or use, circumstances of purchase, or acquisition, or for any other reason. He shall give due consideration to the condition of the articles at the time of importation, but he shall not make any allowance for wear and use in excess of 25 per centum of the declared price or value of a worn or used article. A passenger who desires to claim a larger allowance may arrange for formal entry and appraisement of his goods.

§ 148.25 Reexamination and protest.

(a) Reexamination. Whenever the Customs officer deems it advisable any or all of a passenger's baggage may be sent to the public stores for examination or reexamination. Passengers dissatisfied with the assessment of duty on their baggage may demand a reexamination, provided the articles have not been removed from Customs custody. In either case, a receipt for the baggage to be examined or reexamined shall be given on Customs Form 6051.

(b) Protest. If the passenger remains dissatisfied with the assessment of duty after reexamination, he shall pay the duty assessed and may protest the decision of the port director in accordance with part 174 of this chapter.

§ 148.26 Collection of internal revenue taxes.

(a) Cigars and cigarettes. The internal revenue tax on taxable cigars and cigarettes in a passenger's baggage shall be paid to Customs, using the Customs entry form as a return. Any such return shall show the kind, the quantity, and the tax by class on cigars and cigarettes separately from the statement of duty. Unless for the personal consumption of the importer or disposition as his bona fide gift, cigars and cigarettes are subject to the packaging and marking requirements in the regulations of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.

(b) Alcoholic beverages. The internal revenue tax shall be collected on all wines and liquors in excess of the quantity entitled to exemption as specified in this part.

§ 148.27 Receipt for payment.

When duties and internal revenue taxes on articles in a passenger's baggage are collected, a receipt on Customs Form 368 or 368A shall be issued to the passenger if such duties and taxes are paid in cash. If such duties and taxes are paid by personal check, the check shall be the passenger's receipt unless a receipt is requested.

§ 148.31 Effects taken abroad.

(a) Exemption. Each returning resident (including American citizens who are residents of American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, or the Virgin Islands of the United States) is entitled to bring in free of duty and internal revenue tax under subheading 9804.00.45, and Chapter 98, U.S Note 3, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, (19 U.S.C. 1202), all personal and household effects taken abroad. To ensure allowance of the exemption, articles of foreign origin should be registered in accordance with § 148.1. Automobiles and other vehicles, aircraft, boats, teams and saddle horses, together with their accessories, may be brought in free of duty if taken abroad for noncommercial use (see § 148.32).

(b) Repair or alteration while abroad. If any such personal or household effect taken abroad has been advanced in value or improved in condition while abroad by repairs (including cleaning) not merely incidental to wear or use while abroad, or by alterations (including additions) which did not change the identity of the article, the cost or value of such repairs or alterations is subject to duty unless all or part of such cost or value is covered by an allowance of the $800 or $1,600 exemption for articles acquired abroad (see § 148.33). An effect taken abroad and there changed into a different article is dutiable at its full value when returned to the United States, unless covered in whole or in part by some provision for free entry.

§ 148.32 Vehicles, aircraft, boats, teams and saddle horses taken abroad.

(a) Admission free of duty. Automobiles and other vehicles, aircraft, boats, teams and saddle horses, together with their accessories, taken abroad for noncommercial use and returned by a returning resident will be admitted free of duty upon being satisfactorily identified.

(b) Identification of articles taken abroad. Upon the request of the owner or his agent, the port director will cause any article described in paragraph (a) of this section to be examined before it is taken abroad, and will issue a certificate of registration therefor on CBP Form 4455, or its electronic equivalent. On the return of the article, the certificate may be accepted as satisfactory identification of the described article for the purpose of admitting the article free of duty. In lieu of CBP Form 4455, or its electronic equivalent, the following may be accepted as satisfactory identification of such articles taken abroad:

(1) For an automobile, the State registration card;

(2) For an aircraft, the certificate of registration issued by the Federal Aviation Administration; and

(3) For a pleasure boat, the yacht license or motorboat identification certificate.

(c) Repairs, alterations, and accessories. Repairs made abroad to articles described in paragraph (a) of this section, if incidental to use abroad, are not subject to duty. Repairs not incidental to use abroad, and alterations and additions made abroad, will be assessed with duty upon their value at the rate at which the article itself would be dutiable if imported. Accessories for articles described in paragraph (a) of this section which are acquired abroad are dutiable as if separately imported. Any accessories, repairs, alterations, or additions, which accompany the returning resident at the time of his return to the United States must be included in his baggage declaration.

(d) Entry. Entry on a baggage declaration or regular entry (see § 148.5) will be required if:

(1) The owner or his agent is unable to produce a proper registration card or certificate to cover the article;

(2) A claim for free entry of repairs, alterations, additions, or accessories is to be made under the $800 or $1,600 returning resident's exemption for articles acquired abroad; or

(3) Duty is to be collected.

§ 148.33 Articles acquired abroad.

(a) Exemption. Each returning resident is entitled to bring in free of duty and internal revenue tax under subheadings 9804.00.65, 9804.00.70 and 9804.00.72, and Chapter 98, U.S. Note 3, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (19 U.S.C. 1202), articles for his personal or household use which were purchased or otherwise acquired abroad merely as an incident of the foreign journey from which he is returning, subject to the limitations and conditions set forth in this section and §§ 148.34-148.38. The aggregate fair retail value in the country of acquisition of such articles for personal and household use must not exceed:

(1) $800, and provided that the articles accompany the returning resident;

(2) $800 in the case of a direct arrival from a beneficiary country, as defined in U.S. Note 4 to Chapter 98, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, whether or not the articles accompany the returning resident. Articles acquired elsewhere than in such beneficiary country that do not accompany the returning resident are not entitled to the duty exemption; or

(3) $1,600 in the case of a direct or indirect arrival from American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, or the Virgin Islands of the United States, whether or not the articles accompany the returning resident, not more than $800 of which may have been acquired elsewhere than in such locations. Articles acquired elsewhere than in such insular possessions that do not accompany the returning resident are not entitled to the duty exemption.

(b) Application to articles of highest rate of duty. The $800 or $1,600 exemption will be applied to the aggregate fair retail value in the country of acquisition of the articles acquired abroad which are subject to the highest rates of duty. If an internal revenue tax is applicable, it will be combined with the duty in determining which rates are highest.

(c) Gifts. An article acquired abroad by a returning resident and imported by him to be disposed of after importation as his bona fide gift is considered to be for the personal use of the returning resident and may be included in the exemption.

(d) Tobacco products and alcoholic beverages. Cigars, cigarettes, manufactured tobacco, and alcoholic beverages may be included in the exemption to which a returning resident is entitled, with the following limits:

(1) No more than 200 cigarettes and 100 cigars may be included, except that in the case of American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and the Virgin Islands of the United States the cigarette limit is 1,000, not more than 200 of which shall have been acquired elsewhere than in such locations;

(2) No alcoholic beverages will be included in the case of an individual who has not attained the age of 21; and

(3) No more than 1 liter of alcoholic beverages may be included, except that:

(i) An individual returning directly or indirectly from American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands or the Virgin Islands of the United States may include in the exemption not more than 5 liters of alcoholic beverages, not more than 1 liter of which was acquired elsewhere than in such locations and not more than 4 liters of which were produced elsewhere than in such locations; and

(ii) An individual returning directly from a beneficiary country as defined in U.S. Note 4 to Chapter 98, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (19 U.S.C. 1202) may include in the exemption not more than 2 liters of alcoholic beverages if at least 1 liter is the product of one or more beneficiary countries.

(e) Exemption not applicable. The exemption does not apply to articles intended for sale or acquired on commission, i.e. , for the account of another person, with or without compensation for the service rendered. Articles acquired on one journey and left in a foreign country cannot be allowed the exemption accruing upon the return of the resident from a subsequent journey.

(f) Remainder not applicable to subsequent journey. A returning resident who has received a total exemption of less than the $800 or $1,600 maximum in connection with his return from one journey is not entitled to apply the unused portion of that maximum amount to articles acquired abroad on a subsequent journey.

§ 148.34 Family grouping of exemptions for articles acquired abroad.

(a) Grouping of exemptions. Each member of a family is entitled to the $800 or $1,600 exemption for articles acquired abroad, subject to the conditions prescribed in this subpart. When members of a family residing in one household travel together on their return to the United States, the $800 or $1,600 exemption to which the several members of the family may be entitled may be grouped and allowed without regard to which member of the family is the owner of the articles. However, a group exemption will not include an exemption for a family member not entitled to it in his own right, nor will a group exemption be applied to any property of such a member. The exemption of a family member who has not attained the age of 21 will not be applied under the group exemption to alcoholic beverages. No exemptions allowable to individuals employed by the household and accompanying the family but not related by blood, marriage, domestic relationship, or adoption will be included in the family grouping.

(b) Members of a family residing in one household. “Members of a family residing in one household” includes all persons who:

(1) Are related by blood, marriage, domestic relationship, or adoption;

(2) Lived together in one household at their last permanent residence; and

(3) Intend to live in one household after their arrival in the United States.

(c) Domestic relationship. As used in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, the term “domestic relationship” includes foster children, stepchildren, half-siblings, legal wards, other dependents, individuals with an in loco parentis or guardianship relationship, and two adults who are in a committed relationship including, but not limited to, long-time companions, and couples in civil unions, or domestic partnerships, wherein the partners are financially interdependent, and are not married to, or a partner of, anyone else. The term “domestic relationship” does not extend to roommates or other cohabitants not otherwise meeting this definition.

§ 148.35 Length of stay for exemption of articles acquired abroad.

(a) Requirements for allowance of $800 or $1,600 exemption. Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph or in paragraph (b) of this section, the $800 or $1,600 exemption for articles acquired abroad will not be allowed unless the returning resident has remained beyond the territorial limits of the United States for a period of not less than 48 hours. The $800 exemption may be allowed on articles acquired abroad by a returning resident arriving directly from Mexico without regard to the length of time the person has remained outside the territorial limits of the United States.

(b) Not required for allowance of $1,600 exemption on return from the Virgin Islands. The $1,600 exemption applicable in the case of the arrival of a returning resident directly or indirectly from the Virgin Islands of the United States may be allowed without regard to the length of time such person has remained outside the territorial limits of the United States.

(c) Computation of time. The 48-hour period a returning resident must have completed abroad to be entitled to an exemption will be computed exactly. For example, a resident leaving United States territory at 1:30 p.m. on June 1 would complete the 48-hour period at 1:30 p.m. on June 3.

§ 148.36 Frequency of allowance of exemption for articles acquired abroad.

(a) 30-day period. The $800 or $1,600 exemption for articles acquired abroad will not be granted to a returning resident who has taken advantage of such exemption within the 30-day period immediately preceding his return to the United States. The date of the returning resident's latest prior arrival on which he declared articles acquired abroad for allowance of the $800 or $1,600 exemption will be deemed the date he took advantage of the applicable exemption.

(b) Computation of time. The 30-day period immediately preceding the resident's return will be computed by excluding the day of arrival and counting backward 30 days. For example, in the case of an arrival on May 28, the resident would not be entitled to the $800 or $1,600 exemption if he had taken advantage of such exemption on or after the preceding April 28.

§ 148.37 Replacement of unsatisfactory articles acquired abroad.

(a) Free entry of replacement articles. An article furnished by a foreign supplier to replace a like article of comparable value previously exempted from duty under the $800 or $1,600 exemptions for articles acquired abroad will be allowed free entry if the original article is found by the importer to be unsatisfactory and the procedures provided by paragraph (b) of this section are followed. In any case in which the importer has failed to follow these procedures, the port director may allow free entry of the replacement article if he is satisfied that the unsatisfactory article was timely exported and that the failure to comply with the procedures of paragraph (b) of this section was due to inadvertence or lack of experience in customs matters and was without willful intent to avoid CBP supervision.

(b) Procedure for replacement. Any article previously exempted from duty under the $800 or $1,600 exemptions found by the importer to be unsatisfactory must be returned to CBP custody and exported under CBP supervision at the expense of the importer within 60 days after its importation. A certificate of registration on CBP Form 4455, or its electronic equivalent, will be issued to the importer with instructions as to its use when the unsatisfactory article is exported for replacement under the provisions of subheading 9804.00.75, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States.

(c) Articles found damaged upon declaration. The requirement that the original article be exported under CBP supervision does not apply when a duplicate article is furnished by a foreign supplier as a replacement for an article declared for entry under the $800 or $1,600 exemption and found by the CBP inspector or other examining officer to be so damaged as to constitute a nonimportation (§ 158.11 of this chapter). In such a case, CBP Form 4455, or its electronic equivalent, will be issued to the importer at the time the determination of nonimportation is made and the duplicate replacement will be considered to have been acquired abroad for the purposes of the $800 or $1,600 exemption provision, provided no charge is made to the importer for the duplicate replacement.

§ 148.38 Sale of articles acquired abroad.

An article brought in under the $800 or $1,600 exemption for articles acquired abroad for personal or household use and subsequently sold is not dutiable or subject to forfeiture by reason of the sale if the returning resident actually acquired and imported the article for his bona fide personal or household use and not for sale.

§ 148.39 Rented automobiles.

(a) Importation for temporary period. An automobile rented by a resident of the United States while abroad may be brought into the United States by or on behalf of such resident for a temporary period not to exceed 30 days under subheading 9804.00.60, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) (19 U.S.C. 1202), without payment of duty. The automobile shall be used for the transportation of the resident and that of his family and guests, and for such incidental carriage of articles as may be appropriate to his personal use of the automobile. No entry or security for exportation shall be required.

(b) Unauthorized use or failure to export. If any automobile exempted from duty under subheading 9804.00.60, HTSUS (19 U.S.C. 1202), is used otherwise than for the purpose expressed or is not returned abroad within 30 days, without prior payment to a port director of the duty which would have been payable at the time of entry if entered without benefit of the exemption, the automobile or its value (to be recovered from the importer) shall be subject to forfeiture.

§ 148.41 Articles carried through the United States.

An arriving nonresident who is in transit to a place outside U.S. Customs territory may take with him through U.S. Customs territory for carriage to such place articles not exceeding $200 in aggregate value (including not more than 4 liters of alcoholic beverages) without the payment of duty or internal revenue taxes as provided in subheading 9804.00.40, Chapter 98, U.S. Note 3, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (19 U.S.C. 1202).

§ 148.42 Personal effects.

(a) Exemption. A nonresident arriving in the United States, regardless of age, is entitled under subheading 9804.00.20, and Chapter 98, U.S. Note 3, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (19 U.S.C. 1202), to entry free of duty and internal revenue tax for his wearing apparel, articles of personal adornment, toilet articles, and similar personal effects. “Similar personal effects” include all articles intended and appropriate for the personal use of the nonresident while traveling, such as hunting and fishing equipment, wheelchairs for invalids or crippled persons, pet and hunting dogs, and the like.

(b) Application of exemption. The exemption applies only to articles which were actually owned by the nonresident and in his possession abroad at the time of, or prior to, his departure for the United States. The articles must be appropriate for the personal use of the nonresident, and intended only for such use and not as a gift for another person nor for sale.

§ 148.43 Tobacco products and alcoholic beverages.

(a) For personal use. Fifty cigars, or 200 cigarettes, or 2 kilograms of smoking tobacco, and not exceeding 1 liter of alcoholic beverages may be passed free of duty and internal revenue tax under subheading 9804.00.25 and Chapter 98, U.S. Note 3, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) (19 U.S.C. 1202), when brought in by an adult nonresident for his personal use, and not for commercial use or to be given to another person. This exemption for tobacco products may be applied proportionately. The exemption may be applied to more than one kind of alcoholic beverages but not to an aggregate volume of more than 1 liter for one adult nonresident.

(b) For gifts. A nonresident who is allowed the $100 gift exemption (see § 148.44) may include not more than 100 cigars under such exemption from duty and internal revenue tax, provided the cigars accompany him and are to be disposed of only as bona fide gifts.

§ 148.44 Gifts.

(a) Exemption. An arriving nonresident who intends to remain in the United States for not less than 72 hours is entitled to claim as free of duty and internal revenue tax under subheading 9804.00.30 and Chapter 98, U.S. Note 3, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (19 U.S.C. 1202), articles not over $100 in aggregate value (not including alcoholic beverages and cigarettes, but including not more than 100 cigars) which accompany him and are to be disposed of by him as bona fide gifts. See § 148.43(b) for limitations on cigars under this exemption.

(b) Frequency of allowance. The exemption for gifts may be allowed only if the nonresident has not claimed the exemption within the immediately preceding 6 months.

§ 148.45 Vehicles and other conveyances.

Nonresidents are entitled to entry free of duty and internal revenue tax under subheading 9804.00.35 and Chapter 98, U.S. Note 3, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (19 U.S.C. 1202), for automobiles, trailers, aircraft, motorcycles, bicycles, baby carriages, boats, horse-drawn conveyances, horses, and similar means of transportation and the usual equipment accompanying them, if such articles are imported in connection with the arrival of the nonresident to be used in the United States only for the transportation of the nonresident, his family and guests, and such incidental carriage of articles as may be appropriate to his personal use of the conveyance.

§ 148.46 Sale of exempted articles.

(a) Sale resulting in forfeiture. The following articles or their value (to be recovered from the importer) upon their sale, shall be subject to forfeiture in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 98, Subchapter IV, U.S. Note 1, HTSUS (19 U.S.C. 1202), unless the procedure set forth in paragraph (b) of this section is followed:

(1) Any jewelry or similar articles of personal adornment having an aggregate value of $300 or more which have been allowed an exemption under § 148.42, if sold within 3 years of the date of importation.

(2) Any conveyance or its equipment allowed an exemption under § 148.45, if sold within 1 year after the date of importation.

(b) Procedure permitting sale. Articles described in paragraph (a) of this section may be sold if, prior to the time of sale, payment is made to a port director of the duty which would have been payable at the time of entry if the article had been entered without the benefit of the applicable exemption.

(c) Permissible sales. A sale pursuant to a judicial order or in liquidation of the estate of a decedent is not a basis for any liability for duty or forfeiture.

§ 148.51 Special exemption for personal or household articles.

(a) Application of exemption. The exemption from duty and internal revenue tax contemplated by section 321(a)(2)(B), Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1321(a)(2)(B)), may be applied to articles for his personal or household use including gifts, but not for any business or commercial use, accompanying:

(1) A nonresident arriving in the United States who is not entitled to an exemption for gifts under subheading 9804.00.30 Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) (19 U.S.C. 1202) (see § 148.44); or

(2) A returning resident who is not entitled to the $800 or $1,600 exemption for articles acquired abroad under subheading 9804.00.65, 9804.00.70 or 9804.00.72, HTSUS (see Subpart D of this part).

(b) Limitations. No article accompanying a person arriving in the United States will be exempted from duty or internal revenue tax under section 321(a)(2)(B), Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, if any article accompanying such person is subject to duty or tax by reason of the following limitations on the application of this exemption:

(1) Value of articles. The exemption shall be allowed only when the aggregate fair retail value of all articles not otherwise entitled to an exemption does not exceed $200.

(2) Articles subject to internal revenue tax. The exemption will not be applied to articles subject to internal revenue tax other than:

(i) Cigarettes not in excess of 50;

(ii) Cigars not in excess of 10;

(iii) Alcoholic beverages not in excess of 150 milliliters; or

(iv) Alcoholic perfumery not in excess of 150 milliliters; or

(c) Family grouping. Family grouping of the exemption shall not be allowed.

§ 148.52 Exemption for household effects used abroad.

(a) Exemption. Furniture, carpets, paintings, tableware, books, libraries, and other usual household furnishings and effects actually used abroad for not less than 1 year by resident or nonresidents, and not intended for any other person or for sale may be allowed entry free of duty and tax under subheading 9804.00.05, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (19 U.S.C. 1202). Household effects used abroad not less than 1 year by a family of which the importer was a resident member for not less than 1 year during the period of use may be allowed free entry whether or not the importer owned the effects at the time of such use. The year of use need not be continuous, nor need it immediately precede the time of importation.

(b) Proof of use. In order to obtain free entry for household effects under this section, the use of the effects abroad for 1 year must be proven to the satisfaction of the port director. The port director, in his discretion, may require evidence of use other than the declaration provided for in paragraph (c) of this section.

(c) Declaration. When household effects are claimed to be free of duty a declaration of the owner on Customs Form 3299, or its electronic equivalent, shall be required to support the claim for free entry. If it is impracticable to produce the declaration at the time of entry, the importer may give a bond on Customs Form 301, containing the bond conditions set forth in § 113.62 of this chapter, for the production of the owner's declaration within 6 months.

(d) Arrival of effects more than 10 years after arrival of importer. As a general rule, household effects arriving more than 10 years after the last arrival of the importer from the country in which the effects were used shall not be admitted free of duty under this exemption unless the port director is satisfied from the importer's explanation that the effects were unavoidably detained beyond the 10-year period. However, in no case shall free entry be allowed under this provision when a period of 25 years or more has elapsed since the last arrival of the importer in the United States from the country in which the effects were used.

§ 148.53 Exemption for tools of trade.

(a) Exemption. Professional books, implements, instruments, or tools of trade, occupation or employment, may be allowed entry free of duty and tax under the provisions of subheading 9804.00.15, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (19 U.S.C. 1202), for such articles owned and used abroad by any person emigrating to the United States, or subheading 9804.00.10 for such articles taken abroad by or for the account of any person arriving in the United States. The exemption for emigrants under subheading 9804.00.15, HTSUS shall not be applied to:

(1) Theatrical scenery, properties, or apparel;

(2) Articles for use in any manufacturing establishment;

(3) Articles for any other person; or

(4) Articles for sale.

(b) Declaration. A declaration of the emigrant or returning individual on Customs Form 3299, or its electronic equivalent, shall be required to support the claim of free entry. However, an oral declaration may be accepted from a returning individual in lieu of a written declaration for any such articles claimed to be free of duty under subheading 9804.00.10, HTSUS (19 U.S.C. 1202).

§ 148.54 Exemption for effects of citizens dying abroad.

(a) Exemption. Articles claimed to be personal and household effects, not stock in trade, the title to which is in the estate of a citizen of the United States who died abroad may be allowed entry free of duty and tax under subheading 9804.00.85, and Chapter 98, U.S. Note 3, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (19 U.S.C. 1202).

(b) Entry. Such effects must be entered in accordance with the provisions of §§ 143.11 through 143.16 of this chapter, or if the value of such effects does not exceed $2500, entry may be permitted under the provisions of §§ 143.21 through 143.28 of this chapter.

(c) Statement of facts required. The port director will require in connection with the entry the written statement of a person having knowledge of the facts or will otherwise satisfy himself as to the citizenship of the deceased owner of the effects at the time of death.

§ 148.55 Exemption for articles embodying American trademark or copyright.

(a) Application of exemption. An exemption is provided for articles bearing a counterfeit mark (as defined in § 133.21(a) of this chapter) or piratical articles (as defined in § 133.42(a) of this chapter) accompanying any person arriving in the United States which would be prohibited entry under 19 U.S.C. 1526, 15 U.S.C. 1124, or 17 U.S.C. 602. The exemption may be applied either to those piratical articles or to those articles bearing a counterfeit mark that are of foreign manufacture and bear a recorded mark owned by a citizen of, or a corporation or association created or organized within, the United States, when imported for the arriving person's personal use in the quantities provided in paragraph (c) of this section.

(b) Limitations —(1) 30-day period. The exemption in paragraph (a) of this section shall not be granted to any person who has taken advantage of the exemption for the same type of article within the 30-day period immediately prior to his arrival in the United States. The date of the person's last arrival on which he claimed this exemption shall be considered to be the date he last took advantage of the exemption.

(2) Sale of exempted articles. If an article which has been exempted is sold within one year of the date of importation, the article or its value (to be recovered from the importer), is subject to forfeiture. A sale subject to judicial order or in the liquidation of an estate is not subject to the provisions of this paragraph.

(c) Quantities. Generally, every 30 days, persons arriving in the United States may apply the exemption to the following: one piratical article of each type, or one article of each type bearing a counterfeit mark, and/or one piratical article of each type that is also an article bearing a counterfeit mark. The Commissioner shall determine if more than one article may be entered and, with the approval of the Secretary of the Treasury, publish in the Federal Register a list of types of articles and the quantities of each entitled to the exemption. If the owner of a recorded mark or recorded copyright allows importation of more than one article normally prohibited entry under 19 U.S.C. 1526, 15 U.S.C. 1124, or 17 U.S.C. 602, the total of those articles authorized by the owner may be entered without penalty.

§ 148.61 Status as crewmembers.

The following persons arriving in the United States shall not be treated as crewmembers:

(a) Members of the uniformed services of the United States and persons in the civil service of the United States engaged in the operation of a vessel, vehicle, or aircraft owned by, or under the complete control and management of, the United States or any of its agencies.

(b) Persons engaged in the operation of a private or public aircraft.

(c) Persons not connected with the operation, navigation, ownership, or business of a vessel, vehicle or aircraft engaged in international traffic.

§ 148.62 Declaration and entry of articles by crewmembers.

(a) Declaration required. Articles which are to be landed by a crewmember, including any person traveling on board a vessel, vehicle, or aircraft engaged in international traffic who is returning from a trip on which he was employed as a crewmember, shall be declared upon arrival of the vessel, vehicle, or aircraft in the United States. When practicable, the clearance of articles through Customs shall be made and permission to unlade obtained before the articles are taken from the carrier. However, if no danger to the revenue will result, articles may be submitted for examination and clearance to the Customs office on the pier or at the landing place.

(b) Form of declaration —(1) Oral declaration. A crewmember may be permitted to make an oral declaration and entry if all articles he has to declare, in addition to articles for use in port on temporary leave for which no entry is required in accordance with § 148.63, may be admitted free of duty and tax under section 321(a)(2)(B), Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1321(a)(2)(B)) (See § 148.64).

(2) Written declaration. A written declaration on Customs Form 5129, Crewmember's Declaration shall be required in any case in which an oral declaration is not permitted. A written declaration may be required in any case if necessary to effect prompt and orderly clearance of crewmembers and their effects or if deemed necessary to protect the revenue.

(c) Transfer without declaration. Articles belonging to a crewmember may be transferred from one carrier to another in international traffic without declaration, entry, or assessment of duty if the transfer is carried out under the supervision of Customs officers, or by a bonded cartman if necessary.

(d) Entry at port where articles to be landed. Articles in the possession of or owned by a crewmember of a character for which entry must be made when they are brought into the United States shall be entered at the port where the articles are to be landed. However, if the crewmember remains on a vessel, vehicle, or aircraft which is to proceed to another port of the United States in a movement in which entry of the vessel, vehicle, or aircraft will not be required, entry of the articles shall be made at the port at which such movement begins.

(e) Collection of duty and taxes. Any duties and taxes found due shall be collected as in the case of arriving passengers.

§ 148.63 Articles for use while on temporary leave.

(a) Exemption. Articles in the possession of and exclusively for use by any crewmember during the trip or voyage, such as necessary clothing, toiletries, and purely personal effects, may be landed by such crewmember for use on temporary leave without a written declaration or entry, and without payment of duty or internal revenue tax under subheading 9804.00.80, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) (19 U.S.C. 1202), if the port director is satisfied that:

(1) The articles are reasonable and appropriate for the crewmember's accommodation while on temporary leave, and are to be taken out of the United States, except for articles consumed in use;

(2) The articles are intended exclusively for the crewmember's bona fide personal use;

(3) The quantities are reasonable, depending on the circumstances in each particular case; and

(4) In the case of tobacco products and alcoholic beverages, the containers have been opened and the total quantity landed shall not exceed 50 cigars, 300 cigarettes, or 2 kilograms of smoking tobacco, or a proportionate amount of each, and 1 liter of alcoholic beverages.

(b) Temporary leave. A crewmember is not considered to be on temporary leave from a vessel, vehicle, or aircraft engaged in international traffic or entitled to the exemption under this section upon disembarkation when he is to remain in the confines of a pier, terminal, airport, or area immediately adjacent thereto, in order to timely embark on the carrier in the course of a continuous journey or on a concurrently scheduled arrival and departure.

§ 148.64 Administrative exemption.

(a) Application of exemption. The exemption from duty and internal revenue tax contemplated by section 321(a)(2)(B), Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1321(a)(2)(B)), may be applied to articles for the personal and household use, including gifts, of a crewmember arriving in the United States who is not entitled to an exemption under subheading 9804.00.30, 9804.00.65, 9804.00.70, or 9804.00.72, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) (see §§ 148.66(c) and 148.65). The exemption may be applied when the crewmember is entitled to an exemption under subheading 9804.00.80, HTSUS (19 U.S.C. 1202), for articles for use while on temporary leave (§ 148.63).

(b) Limitations. No article accompanying a crewmember arriving in the United States shall be exempted from duty or internal revenue tax under section 321(a)(2)(B), Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, if any article accompanying such crewmember is subject to duty or internal revenue tax by reason of the following limitations.

(1) Value of articles. The exemption shall be allowed only when the aggregate fair retail value of all articles not otherwise entitled to an exemption does not exceed $200.

(2) Articles subject to internal revenue tax. The exemption shall not be applied to any article subject to internal revenue tax in addition to any articles allowed an exemption under subheading 9804.00.80, HTSUS (19 U.S.C. 1202), other than:

(i) Cigarettes not in excess of 50;

(ii) Cigars not in excess of 10;

(iii) Alcoholic beverages not in excess of 150 milliliters; or

(iv) Alcoholic perfumery not in excess of 150 milliliters (Subheading 9805.00.50, HTSUS (19 U.S.C. 1202, 1321)). [T.D. 80-179.].

§ 148.65 Exemption for resident crewmembers.

(a) Status as returning resident. A crewmember arriving in a vessel, vehicle, or aircraft from a foreign port who is a resident of the United States shall be considered a returning resident qualifying for the exemptions allowed under Chapter 98, Subchapter IV, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (19 U.S.C. 1202), and subpart D of this part if he permanently leaves the carrier without the intention of resuming his employment on the same or any other carrier that is engaged in international traffic.

(b) Statement of declaration. A resident crewmember who claims that articles declared by him are entitled to be passed free of duty and tax under the returning resident's exemption, shall include a legible statement on the declaration, Customs Form 5129, of the basis for his claim for entitlement to the resident's exemption.

§ 148.66 Exemptions for nonresident crewmembers.

(a) Status as arriving nonresident. A nonresident crewmember will be treated as an arriving nonresident for purposes of claiming the exemptions allowable under Chapter 98, Subchapter IV, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) (19 U.S.C. 1202), and subpart E of this part when he permanently leaves his employment with a vessel, vehicle, or aircraft at a port in the United States without intention of resuming employment on the same or another carrier in international traffic. However, a nonresident crewmember shall not be treated as an arriving nonresident for this purpose when he departs a carrier for temporary leave but retains his employment with the carrier so that he will be going foreign again in the course of his continuing employment (see § 148.63).

(b) Articles carried through the United States. A nonresident crewmember, permanently leaving a carrier in a U.S. port to travel as a passenger on another carrier which will take him to a place outside the United States, who desires to take with him articles not exceeding $200 in aggregate value (including not more than 4 liters of alcoholic beverages) without the payment of duty or internal revenue tax as provided in item 812.40 (see § 148.41), may be accorded free entry of the articles under the following procedure:

(1) Declaration and supporting statement. The nonresident crewmember shall itemize the articles on his declaration and entry, Customs Form 5129, required by § 148.62(b)(2), and shall state in writing in support of his declaration that:

(i) He has been finally discharged from the carrier, with the date of discharge;

(ii) He intends to depart from the same or another U.S. port as a passenger on another carrier for a place outside U.S. Customs territory; and

(iii) The articles will be taken with him on such carrier and will not remain in the United States.

(2) Allowance by port director. The port director may require verification of the crewmember's discharge and a statement as to the accuracy of the second and third supporting statements of the crewmember from the person in charge of the carrier, the vessel agent, or the port captain. If the port director is satisfied that the crewmember's statements are correct, the articles may be passed free of duty and internal revenue tax under subheading 9808.00.40, HTSUS (19 U.S.C. 1202).

(c) Articles to be disposed of as gifts. A nonresident crewmember shall itemize on his baggage declaration and entry, Customs Form 5123 or 5129, required by § 148.62, all articles in his possession for which he seeks entry under subheading 9804.00.30, HTSUS (19 U.S.C. 1202), as bona fide gifts. The crewmember must be permanently leaving his employment on the international carrier for a stay in the United States of at least 72 hours before departing for a place outside the United States as a passenger.