The United States gives duty preferences—that is, free or reduced rates—to certain developing countries under a trade program called the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP). Some products that would otherwise be dutiable are not when they come from a GSP country. (For details on this program, as well as the complete list of GSP countries, please look for it on our website.)

Similarly:

• Many products of Caribbean and Andean countries are exempt from duty under the Caribbean Basin Initiative, Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act, Andean Trade Preference Act and the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act.
• Many products of certain sub-Saharan African countries are exempt from duty under the African Growth and Opportunity Act.
• Most products off Israel, Jordan, Chile and Singapore may also enter the United States either free of duty or at a reduced rate under the U.S. free trade agreements with those countries. Check with cbp.gov for details on these programs.
• The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) went into effect in 1994. If you are returning from Canada or Mexico, your goods are eligible for free or reduced duty rates if they were grown, manfactured, or produced in Canada or Mexico, as defined by the Act.

  Access the CBP Website for further details.

  Household Effects

  Household effects are duty-free. These include such items as furniture, carpets, paintings, tableware, stereos, linens, and similar household furnishings; tools of the trade, professional books, implements, and instruments.

  You may import household effects you acquired abroad duty-free if:

  • You used them for at least one year while you were abroad.
  • They are not intended for anyone else or for sale.

  Clothing, jewelry, photography equipment, portable radios, and vehicles are considered personal effects and cannot be brought in duty-free as household effects. However, duty is usually waived on personal effects over 1 year of age.

  All vehicles are dutiable.