Contacts:

U.S. Customs Service
Public Affairs Office

1300 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Room 6.3D
Washington, D.C. 20229

Media Services
Phone: (202) 927-8727
Fax: (202) 927-1393

1300 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Room 6.3D
Washington, D.C. 20229

Phone: (202) 927-8727
Fax: (202) 927-1393

• Internet Transactions

Holiday Season Internet Shoppers – Be Aware!
On-line Buy From Abroad Could Be Costly Mistake

Washington, D.C. -- The U.S. Customs Service Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly today issued an alert to Internet shoppers to be aware that on-line purchases from abroad may cost far more than the shopper bargained for.

"Shopping on the Internet seems quick and easy, but buying gifts or other goods on-line from a foreign source turns the shopper into an importer who may be subject to complex import regulations," U.S. Customs Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly said. "We at Customs urge anyone who wants to shop abroad on-line to review our electronic publication, Internet Transactions, at http://www.customs.gov/ before committing to any on-line overseas purchase."

Internet shoppers purchasing items from abroad are sometimes surprised to learn that they are liable for Customs duty and other fees that are separate from the usual shipping and handling charges they have come to expect. These fees have been known to exceed an item’s purchase price.

Another important consideration is how the item will be shipped: International Postal Service, courier service, or freight. Each of these methods has implications for how goods will clear Customs, with each one having potential benefits ¾ and potential pitfalls.

For example, Can a particular item be legally imported into the United States? Some things are flat-out prohibited from entry. Narcotics, child pornography and tainted food are examples. Many more items are restricted, meaning the importer may need a license or be restricted in the amount of something that can be shipped in. Food and agricultural products, alcohol and tobacco, firearms, prescription medications, and products from endangered species are the types of items that could be seized by Customs if they don’t meet the criteria for entry.

Also, if the foreign seller, or person, shipping the goods, misrepresents the value of the item in the Customs Declaration attached to international packages ¾ the purchaser, the person importing the item, could be held liable for Customs fraud!

During this holiday season, Internet shoppers should be aware and know the rules ¾ before shopping on-line.

Report Drug Smuggling to
1-800-BE-ALERT or 1-888-NO-DROGA
http://www.customs.gov/