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Before
landing you are given a Port of Entry Form in the
flight, which you will have to fill in for faster
check out at the airport. It asks for information
about self, visa, immigration and other. Fill in all
the information that is required. If you have any
questions ask the flight attendant or your fellow
passengers. Customs and immigration formalities must
be cleared at the first point of entry in USA., even
if transiting to another city.
You
should have your passport ready on the plane and not
in your luggage so that the information to complete
the various official US forms is handy. An immigration
officer at the airport who will see your documents,
which include
Visa
(stamped inside your passport)
1)I-94 card: The I-94 is the Arrival/Departure
card for non-immigrants. It is the evidence of status
for the individual and lists the terms of status.
This small white card is stapled to your passport
as a proof of valid entry into the country. The information
shown on the card includes the date of entry, the
visa type entered with, and the departure date.
2) If you need to stay longer, than the specified
period then you must contact the INS after arriving
and request an Application to Extend Status.
3) Entry papers, such as the IAP-66
Restricted
Items according to the US Customs Department
Drug
Paraphernalia
It
is illegal to bring drug paraphernalia into the United
States unless they have been prescribed for authentic
medical conditions-diabetes, for example. Customs
will seize any illegal paraphernalia. If you are convicted
of carrying of bringing drug paraphernalia into the
country, you will be subject to fines and imprisonment.
Food
Products
1.
On carrying them as fresh fruits and vegetables can
carry plant pests or diseases into the United States.
Bakery items and certain kinds of cheese can be brought
into United States.
2. The regulations governing Meat and meat products
are very strict. Any kind of fresh, dried, or canned
meats or meat products are not allowed. Even food
products prepared with meat are not allowed.
3. It is advisable not to bring any fresh fruits /
vegetables into united states. There are many restrictions
Plants
The
plants, cuttings, seeds, unprocessed plant products,
and certain endangered species that are allowed into
the United States require import permits; some are
prohibited entirely. Threatened or endangered species
that are permitted must have export permits from the
country of origin.
Medication
Narcotics
and certain other drugs with a high potential for
abuse-Rohypnol, GHB, and Fen-Phen, to name a few-may
not be brought into the United States, and there are
severe penalties for trying to bring them in. If you
need medicines that contain potentially addictive
drugs or narcotics (e.g., some cough medicines, tranquilizers,
sleeping pills, antidepressants, or stimulants), do
the following:
-
Carry all drugs, medicines, and similar products
in their original containers.
- Carry
only the quantity that a person with that condition
(e.g., chronic pain) would normally carry.
- Carry
a prescription or written statement from your physician
that the medicines are being used under a doctor's
supervision and that they are necessary for your
physical well being while traveling.
Pets
If
you plan to take your pet abroad you should check
with state, county, and local authorities to learn
if their restrictions and prohibitions on pets are
stricter than federal requirements. Importing animals
is closely regulated for public health reasons and
also for the well being of the animals. There are
restrictions and prohibitions on bringing many species
into the United States.
Photographic
film
Customs
will not examine film you bought abroad and are bringing
back unless the Customs officer has reason to believe
it contains prohibited material, such as child pornography.
You won't be charged duty on film bought in the United
States and exposed abroad, whether it's developed
or not. But film you bought and developed abroad counts
as a dutiable item.
To view a sample of Customs Declaration form, click
here.
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