Entry declaration forms are official legal documents required by immigration and customs authorities. By completing them, you are formally stating that the information you provide—such as your identity, purpose of travel, length of stay, and items you’re bringing in—is accurate.
Providing incorrect or incomplete information can result in:
🛂 Smooth Immigration and Customs Processing
Accurate forms help immigration and customs officers:
Mistakes often trigger red flags that slow things down—even if they’re unintentional.
💼 Correct Declaration of Goods and Money
Declaration forms usually require you to list:
Failing to declare restricted, or taxable items can lead to confiscation, heavy fines, or legal consequences—even if the item itself is allowed when declared.
🛡️ Health, Biosecurity, and Public Safety
Many countries use entry declarations to protect:
Accurate information helps governments identify risks and protect residents and travelers alike.
🧾 Protection and Proof for You
A properly completed declaration serves as evidence of honesty and compliance. If questions arise later—about something you brought in or said at entry—you have a record showing you disclosed everything as required.
🤝 Establishing Trust for Future Travel
Consistently accurate declarations build a positive travel history. This can make future entries easier, reduce scrutiny, and help with visas or extended stays.
All travelers entering the United States are Required to Declare meats, fruits, vegetables, plants, seeds, soil, animals, as well as plant and animal products (including soup or soup products) they may be carrying. The declaration must cover all items carried in checked baggage, carry-on luggage, or in a vehicle.
Many agricultural products are not allowed to enter the United States from certain countries because they can carry plant pests or foreign animal diseases. All agricultural items must be declared and are subject to inspection by an Agriculture Specialist at ports of entry to ensure they are free from these risks. Prohibited or restricted items may include meat products, fresh fruits and vegetables, plants, seeds, soil, and goods made from animal or plant materials.
For generally allowed food items please visit USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
Agricultural pests and diseases pose a serious threat to U.S. crop production and the livestock industry. Certain animal diseases are highly contagious and can cause significant economic losses, disrupt production, and increase costs for meat and dairy products. Similarly, plant pests, diseases, and invasive plant materials can damage crops, lawns, ornamental plants, and trees. These infestations can lead to higher consumer costs due to pest eradication efforts and reduced crop yields. Widespread outbreaks of high‑risk plant pests or animal diseases could also negatively impact the U.S. economy by limiting international trade of U.S. agricultural goods.
Federal law mandates that when entering or leaving the United States you must report amounts exceeding $10,000 to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). This requirement applies whether you are:
Who Must File?
Anyone who brings, sends, or receives currency or monetary instruments totaling more than $10,000 at one time into or out of the United States is required to report it. This requirement applies whether the individual is transporting, mailing, or shipping the funds for themselves or on behalf of another person or business.
When traveling as a family or group, the $10,000 reporting threshold applies to the combined total amount being carried or sent by the group, not to each individual separately.
Common carriers of goods, such as shipping companies, are also subject to this reporting requirement unless the shipper clearly declares that the shipment contains currency or monetary instruments.
What is a “Monetary Instrument”?
For reporting purposes, "monetary instruments" include a variety of instruments such as:
CBP has been entrusted with enforcing hundreds of laws for 40 other government agencies, such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These agencies require that unsafe items are not allowed to enter the United States. CBP officers are always at ports of entry and assume the responsibility of protecting America from all threats.
The products CBP prevent from entering the United States are those that would injure community health, public safety, American workers, children, or domestic plant and animal life, or those that would defeat our national interests. Sometimes the products that cause injury, or have the potential to do so, may seem fairly innocent. But, as you will see from the material that follows, appearances can be deceiving.
Before you leave for your trip abroad, you might want to talk to CBP about the items you plan to bring back to be sure they're not prohibited or restricted. Prohibited means the item is forbidden by law to enter the United States. Examples of prohibited items are dangerous toys, cars that don't protect their occupants in a crash, bush meat, or illegal substances like absinthe and Rohypnol. Restricted means that special licenses or permits are required from a federal agency before the item is allowed to enter the United States. Examples of restricted items include firearms, certain fruits and vegetables, animal products, animal by products, and some animals.