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Questions tagged [customs-law]

42 questions
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What will happen if one is caught smuggling something that is not illegal?

For example if someone is caught at some major airport trying to smuggle condoms with talcum powder in his butt, or in a hidden compartment in a suitcase for example Someone might do this with the intention to test the airport security for various…
user43993
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Answering "Do you have anything to declare?" to customs in the absence of any explanation of the question

On some occasions, when a traveler goes through US customs, there are electronic self-serve kiosks or paper forms with detailed customs questions about what you are carrying (currency, goods, food, etc.), and there are statements warning about…
FlanMan
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Is it true that one has to pay import taxes on seized goods?

Bob the smuggler isn't so lucky today as his luggage is screened by customs at the airport. They find all kinds of illegal stuff in there: Lots of cigarettes, marihuana as well as ivory. Obviously, the stuff is seized and he expects criminal…
PMF
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Damage during border inspections

Alice, a US citizen, is returning to the US from Mexico (could be Canada too, I suppose). She crosses the border in her car, and when questioned by the CPB officer, the officer suspects that Alice has contraband in her car. Alice's car is searched…
Ron Trunk
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Application of tariffs to individuals

In view of the current possible application of trade tariffs between the United States and other countries: Do such tariffs apply to individuals bringing purchases between countries, simply as a part of ordinary life? The residents of Pt Roberts,…
DJohnM
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How common are import bans of what is freely traded on national markets?

In this question I will give an example of a law that effectively bans the import of (and makes attempted import without prior approval a crime) certain goods that can be freely bought and sold on national market. The effect is that the goods are…
Greendrake
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Does ICE have the power to arrest suspects in general criminal cases?

I've seen an unconfirmed social media report of ICE locating, stopping, and arresting a US citizen they supposedly suspected of, at a different time and place, having assaulted a federal officer (who themselves was supposed to have been an ICE…
interfect
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What are the implications of the Good Friday Agreement for customs controls?

After the Good Friday Agreement was concluded, customs and security controls between the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom were removed (From Wikipedia). The Irish border is one of the major problems in the Brexit negotiations. If the UK…
gerrit
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Counterfeit vs. pirated goods

What is the difference if any between pirated, contraband and counterfeit goods? "Smugglers usually smuggle contraband into and out of a country for commercial gain" a shipping line can as well be notorious for shipping contraband goods According…
mykey
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Sending dried fruits to Australia through courier

I have sent 1kg of dried fruits as a gift to a friend from New Zealand to Australia. I DECLARED them in customs form when sending parcel through New Zealand post. But now some one now tells me that dried fruits are prohibited items to be sent to…
user5714
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Confusion about USA export regulations regarding electronics

I am an electronic hobbyist based in Canada. Recently I bought different Microcontroller development boards from Mouser.ca (a huge online electronics distributor based in Mansfield, Texas). This is mostly to satisfy my curiosity and to try out the…
Lexx32117
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What laws prohibit the importation of pornography into the US?

I don't quite understand why in the San Francisco Airport, when people land, the sign says, "No pornography is allowed to be brought into the US", when you can leave the airport, drive 15 minutes to an adult video shop and put in coins and watch all…
Stefanie Gauss
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Is there a way to avoid double-VAT when delivering from UK to Ireland?

For non-business customers, I'm wondering there is a way to avoid being double-vatted on products purchased from the UK and imported from UK to Ireland? An example would be if I ordered a €500 laptop from a UK business. This business adds 20% UK…
David Callanan
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Are parcel forwarders to other countries legal?

There are online stores in the U.S. that don't ship to Russia. They say that customs house makes delivery "impossible". UPS delivery support told me that delivery to Russia is possible via their service as long as the shop has a contract with them.…
Gherman
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Can I be prosecuted for smuggling as long as I honestly declare everything I'm bringing?

Some products are illegal in some countries, or cannot be legally imported. If I attempt to carry such a product into the country, but then honestly declare it at the border (I would like to declare 50 g of marijuana, sir), can I be prosecuted for…
gerrit
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