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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/wt-duty-exemption-by-country

What decides whether your US duty-free exemption is $200, $800 or $1,600?

The countries you visited.

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  1. Your age
  2. The countries you visited ✔
  3. How you paid

Why: Returning US travelers get a personal exemption, the value of goods they can bring back without paying duty. It is $200, $800 or $1,600 depending on the countries visited.

Huh, didn't know that: Only very limited amounts of alcohol and tobacco can count toward your duty-free exemption.

The dad joke
My souvenirs cost more than my trip. Now that's a duty I didn't sign up for.
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References

Answer: The countries you visited. Returning US travelers get a personal exemption, the value of goods they can bring back without paying duty. It is $200, $800 or $1,600 depending on the countries visited.

  1. Know Before You Go: traveling abroad (CBP) www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/know-before-you-go/know-you-go-traveling-abroad
    Personal exemptions that do not require the traveler to pay duty will be $200, $800 or $1600 depending on the countries you visited.
    Checked 2026-10-12.
  2. Know Before You Go: traveling abroad (CBP) www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/know-before-you-go/know-you-go-traveling-abroad
    Items to be sent later may not be included in your duty-free exemption.
    Checked 2026-10-12.

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