A GUIDE FOR THE COMPLETION OF CUSTOMS FORMS

EXEMPTIONS FOR NON-RESIDENTS

Personal Effects

A non-resident may import free of duty and internal revenue tax, clothes, jewellery, toilet articles, cameras and similar personal articles owned by him if the articles are appropriate and intended for his personal use and not for resale.  Jewellery or similar articles or personal adornment valued at US$400 or more, cleared duty free under personal Customs exemption may not be sold within 3 years, unless duty is paid to the District Director of Customs in the USA.  This duty must be paid before completion of the sale or the article will be seized.

Professional Tools and Equipment

Professional tools and equipment are free of duty if they have been used by the owner and are in his possession at the time he enters the USA.  This privilege does not extend to articles for use in a manufacturing establishment, for another person or for sale.

MAIN FORM – 3299

Part I

1.	Print your full name as it appears on your passport
2.	Your date of birth
3.	The date you will arrive in the USA
4.	Your current US address, telephone number, passport number and VISA number
5.	The name of the city in the USA where you, personally will clear Customs
6.	The name of the airline or cruise line by which you will travel to the USA
7.	The names of those in your family who accompanied you on your flight/cruise (if any) plus their Social Security and Passport Numbers
8.	To be completed by agent at destination

Part II

9.	Cross the box which applies to you:
	9(a)	Indicate the last country at which you resided abroad
	9(b)	The length of time you were out of the USA
	9(c)	Mark the box which applies to yourself
10.	Read all paragraphs in A, B, and C.  Cross each box that applies to the contents of your shipment.

Part III

To be completed by U.S personnel and evacuees only.  If this applies, fill in the date you departed from the U.S.A attach a copy of your travel orders and the date your orders were issued. 

Part IV

A.	Mark the items, if any, contained in your shipment.
B.	If foreign household effects are contained in your shipment, mark Box 7 or 8, as applicable.*
C.	For returning residents only, mark the box or boxes applicable to the contents of your shipment.
D.	If you marked any boxes in Part IV A, B or C, then please complete sections 1 to 4.

Part V

	To be completed by agent at destination

Part VI

1.	Leave blank
2.	Fill in your complete signature
3.	Today’s date

* NOTE: ANY ITEMS OWNED LESS THAN 1 (ONE) YEAR AND DECLARED ON YOUR CUSTOMS FORM WILL BE SUBJECT TO DUTY AND TAXES AND/OR ADDITIONAL FORMAL OR INFORMAL ENTRY FEE’S.

Typically, the absence of VISA number on the Supplemental Declaration does not present a problem in clearing Customs.  However, U.S Customs reserves the right to deny the entry.  Therefore, please include a copy of your application should your VISA not be available.

This form is self-explanatory.  Please ensure that all general questions are answered and that the form is signed.

CUSTOMS’ HINTS

A “Returning Resident” is one who has not abandoned his permanent residence in the USA and has not taken up permanent residence abroad.

A “Non-Resident” is one who does not have a residence in the USA.  A US National or former resident may qualify as a “Non-Resident” if he has given up his residence in the USA and become a bona fide resident of another country.

Alcoholic Beverages: There are strict regulations regarding the importation of alcohol, therefore if it is your intention to import a quantity of alcohol please provide agent at destination with a list detailing the following information:

		Size of Each Bottle
		Description of Each Bottle
		Alcohol Content of Each Bottle
		Value of Each Bottle
		If Wine, whether red, white or rose, sparkling or still

NOTE:	MANY STATES REQUIRE A LIQUOR LICENSE TO BE OBTAINED PRIOR TO THE CLEARING OF YOUR SHIPMENT.  MANY STATES ASSESS STATE TAX AND DUTY IN ADDITION TO THE FEDERAL TAX AND DUTY THAT WOULD BE ASSESSED BY U.S. CUSTOMS.   NORMALLY THESE CHARGES ARE FOR THE SHIPPERS ACCOUNT UNLESS AUTHORIZED BY THEIR EMPLOYER   

PLEASE NOTE BOTTOM OF SECTION ON COMPLETING CUSTOMS FORM 3299

INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING SUPPLEMENTAL FORM

On this form you must give details of your passport number, social security number (if applicable) and brief reasons for moving to the United States.

No.   1-14                Are self-explanatory and all boxes must be completed by you.

No.   15-16              Leave blank (to be completed by agent at destination).

No.   17                   Please circle (B) Importer or (A) if you are authorized agent.

No.   18                   Please do not forget to sign, date and have the forms witnessed,
                                the witness does not have to be a professional person.	
                                Please ensure that you sign this form - VERY IMPORTANT	

POWER OF ATTORNEY

2        Mark ‘X’ against ‘Individual 
3. 	     Your full name
4. 	     Write ‘Individual’
5. 	     Write your U.S address
6. 	     Write ‘Individual’
7. 	     Sign the form
8. 	     Enter ‘Consignee’
9. 	     Date the form
10.    Signature of Witness

THIS FORM EMPOWERS THE DESTINATION AGENT TO ACT FOR YOU AS CUSTOMS BROKER AND TO MAKE STATEMENTS FROM CUSTOMS ENTRIES ON YOUR BEHALF.