Living In USA

Some items that may not be brought into the United States without special permits are listed below.

Medications. If you must bring in a special prescription, be sure to get a permit in advance. Inquire at a U.S. consulate for details.

Plants. No fruits, vegetables, plants, seeds, cuttings, or plant products may be imported without writing ahead for permission. The reason for this regulation is that the United States is attempting to prevent insects or plant diseases from being brought into the country. Contact the U.S. Department of Agriculture (www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/).

Meats and hides. To avoid importing animal diseases, permission is needed to bring in meats (including dried fish, sausages, salamis, etc.) and untanned furs or hides. If you wish to bring any of these to the United States, write to

Animal Health Division
U.S. Agricultural Research Service
Hyattsville, MD 20782
www.usda.gov/

Goods from certain countries. One cannot import goods of any kind originating in certain countries. Inquiries should be made to

Foreign Assets Control
Department of the Treasury
Washington, DC 20220
www.ustreas.gov/offices/eotffc/ofac/

Gold. There are tight restrictions regarding gold, gold coins, gold-coin jewelry, or medals.

Firearms and ammunition. Guns and ammunition are regulated by the Alcohol, Firearms and Tobacco Bureau (www.atf.gov/firearms/feib/). No ammunition, pistols, or revolvers may be shipped in the U.S. mail.

If you have questions on customs regulations that cannot be answered by your nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, write

Customs and Border Patrol
Department of Homeland Security
Washington, DC 20226
www.customs.gov/

The Customs Agency is concerned with what you are bringing into the U.S. They make sure that what you bring is permissible and that duty, or import tax, is collected if it is due. Personal property is usually not subject to duty, but if you bring, for example, one hundred compact discs of your favorite artist to give as gifts, you might appear to be an importer rather than a student.

You may be asking yourself, "What can I bring into the United States without paying duty?" "Can I bring gifts?" "Must I declare everything?" "Is there anything that I may not bring?"

You should obtain from the nearest U.S. consulate a copy of the pamphlet Customs Hints for Visitors (Nonresidents), which gives full answers to all such questions. Below are summaries of the regulations...

Your entry into the U.S. may be granted or denied (or delayed) by the Customs and Border Patrol officer, called an inspector. She or he will admit you for a period of time consistent with the type of visa you have in your passport. If you were not fingerprinted when you obtained a visa, it is likely that you will be fingerprinted at this point. Most people who know others who have traveled to the U.S. have heard at least one horror story about being ill-treated by an immigration official. Sadly, there are indeed people who are unpleasant or rude, even threatening. But rarely do we hear about the millions — literally millions — of entries that go off smoothly and end with a cheerful "Enjoy your visit."

It is important to remember that no immigration inspector wants to be the one who lets a person with terrorist plans into the United States. The officers are understandably cautious and will expect you to be able to prove any claims you make. If you have letters from colleagues or friends you are visiting, bring them. If you are planning to study in the U.S., have your letters of admission and I-20 form or other documents ready.

Particularly if you are from countries that the U.S. government believes have links to terrorists or, sadly, from any Middle Eastern country, be especially ready for some questioning about your plans during your stay in the U.S. What these officers are trained to do is look for inconsistencies in your answers, or for body language that indicates someone is lying. If you are relaxed and answer honestly, even if you don't know an answer, you will not likely be singled out for more attention. Remember to look the inspector in the eye; Americans in general, and immigration inspectors specifically, distrust anyone who won't make eye contact at least some of the time. On the other hand, don't stare either...

Visas are granted by consular officials who work in consulates or embassies outside the United States. Overworked and understaffed, they typically have to decide to grant or deny a visa application in under a minute. It is essential to be prepared for your visa interview. Rehearse your answers to the questions you might expect, such as where you plan to live while in the U.S. and how long you will be there. Given the short time the consular officers have to make a decision, they are strongly inclined to deny most applicants who hesitate with their answers. Bring with you every document related to both your proposed stay in the United States and to your ties to your own country. Most visa applicants must prove that they intend to return to their home country at the conclusion of their stay. Documents that show you own property, have close family remaining, or will be employed upon your return can be very helpful. If you are denied a visa at first, don't panic. You can usually apply again without a waiting period, although the fee has to be paid each time you apply.

Tourists and businesspeople from certain countries do not need visas if their visit will be fewer than ninety days. Those who come on this Visa Waiver Program cannot, under any circumstances, extend their stay or change the purpose of their visit. It is essential to take the time to obtain the correct type of visa before you leave home. Each visa type has its own limitations and benefits, so seeking advice from a qualified immigration attorney is prudent. The American Immigration Lawyers Association (www.aila.org) can help you find one.

One effect of these changes has been the reorganization of the former Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). In the United States, permission to enter the United States is determined by two different parts of the United States government. Visas, which are stamps in passports, are granted by the Department of State at a U.S. consulate or embassy in your country. The visa is just the first step; it is simply permission to apply for entry at a port of entry (usually an international airport) for a particular purpose. The second is clearing immigration at your port of entry. The official at the airport is an employee of the Customs and Border Patrol, part of which was formerly known as the Immigration and Naturalization Service. This new agency combines the immigration inspectors at points of entry into the United States, the customs department, and the part of the Department of Agriculture that looks for illegal plant imports. Customs and Border Control is part of the new Department of Homeland Security.

One of the most significant changes in the process of coming to the U.S. is a new requirement that biometric data (primarily fingerprints) be taken on each person entering the country. Although it is to be phased in over time, it is quite likely that by the time you read this, it will be required of everyone. Even those from countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program (those coming for short stays, for tourism or business, primarily from Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and Western Europe) will be required to have a passport with biometric identifiers.