This article was last updated and fact checked on January 28, 2023 by Mani Karthik.
For first-time travelers, the U. S. Customs Declaration Form can be daunting. Here’s a step-by-step guide to completing the form so you can get through customs quickly and smoothly.
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How to Fill US Customs Declaration Form Fields
- Family Name
Enter your surname/family name / last name as in your passport and Visa - First (Given) name
Enter Your first name or given name as in your visa and passport. - Birth Date
Enter Your date of birth - Number of Family Members Traveling with you
Enter how many family members are traveling with you on this particular flight. If no one is traveling with you, enter zero. If with a spouse, enter one. If you are traveling with kids, enter the total number of kids traveling on the particular flight. - U.S. Street Address ( Hotel/ destination)
You need to enter your US address, where you will stay in the US. If you are staying in a hotel, put in the hotel address or if you are going to stay at your relative’s place, enter that address.
Example: 105, Las Palmas Drive, CA, 95605 - City and State
City and state tied to your address, where you will stay in USA - Passport Issued by
Enter your country of citizenship, which issued your passport. - Passport Number
Enter your passport number - Country of Residence
Your resident country, where you currently live. - Countries visited on this trip prior to U.S. Arrival
If you did a stopover or exited the stopover airport during your trip as part of transit to the USA, you should enter the countries’ names here.
For example, if you are on a flight from Bangalore to Los Angeles via Dubai, you have to enter the United Arab Emirates in this field. - Airline / Flight No or Vessel Name
Enter the Flight Name or Sea vessel name.
Example: EK 320 if you are on an Emirates flight. This number can be seen on your flight ticket. - The primary purpose of this trip is business
If you are entering the US on a Business visa like B1 for conference or meeting customers, then you should select the Yes check box and put a Cross mark as in the sample form. If your purpose is tourism or others, then put a checkmark for No. - I/ We are bringing
You will need to read and declare everything you are bringing with you on this flight.
Example: If you’re bringing in “Achaar” or other food products, then you have to declare it in this field. - I have been in close proximity to livestock
Enter “Yes” if you have been in touch with livestock like cattle, poultry, etc in the last couple of days. - Carrying currency
If you are carrying over 10,000 USD in cash/currencies, you need to check YES, if not NO.
Credit card or debit card money does not matter. The only cash that you are carrying. - Commercial Merchandise
If you are bringing any brand products with you (other than the ones you are wearing), then you need to declare them.
Example: Two brand new Nike shoes, Gucci bags, etc. - Declaration of Value of Goods
You need to put in the approximate value of the items brought. If you are not bringing anything, you put the value as Zero.
When traveling to USA, travel insurance is much recommended.
Two great plans are, Atlas America and Safe Travels USA.
However there are other choices like these, as well.
How to Properly Fill Out the U.S. Customs Declaration Form
The United States Customs Declaration Form is an important document that is required when traveling to the United States. This form will ask for basic information about the traveler and the trip. It is important to fill out this form accurately and completely to avoid any delays or problems at the border.
1. Personal Information
The first section of the form asks for the traveler’s personal information. This includes the traveler’s name, date of birth, gender, country of citizenship, and passport number. The form also asks for the contact information for the traveler’s emergency contact in the United States.
2. The Trip
The second section of the form asks about the trip. This includes the reason for travel, the planned length of stay, and where the traveler will be staying in the United States. The form also asks about the traveler’s plans for travel within the United States.
3. Belongings
The third section of the form asks about the traveler’s belongings. This includes a list of all items that the traveler is bringing into the United States. The form also asks about the value of these items and whether or not they are gifts.
4. Health
The fourth section of the form asks about the traveler’s health. This includes questions about whether or not the traveler has any communicable diseases. The form also asks about the traveler’s mental health and if they have any history of mental illness.
5. Criminal History
The fifth section of the form asks about the traveler’s criminal history. This includes questions about any arrests or convictions that the traveler has had. The form also asks about any outstanding warrants that the traveler has.
6. Immigration History
The sixth section of the form asks about the traveler’s immigration history. This includes questions about any previous visits to the United States and any other countries. The form also asks about the traveler’s current immigration status.
7. Employment History
The seventh section of the form asks about the traveler’s employment history. This includes questions about the traveler’s current employment status and their job history. The form also asks about the traveler’s education history.
8. Finances
The eighth section of the form asks about the traveler’s finances. This includes questions about the traveler’s bank accounts, investments, and debts. The form also asks about the traveler’s annual income.
9. Family
The ninth section of the form asks about the traveler’s family. This includes questions about the traveler’s spouse, children, and parents. The form also asks about the traveler’s relationship to the traveler’s spouse.
10. Vaccines
The tenth section of the form asks about the traveler’s health. This includes questions about the traveler’s medical conditions and vaccines received. The form also asks about any medical devices that the traveler may be bringing into the United States.
11. Emergency Contact
The eleventh section of the form asks about the traveler’s emergency contact information. This includes the traveler’s phone number, email address, and physical address.
The form also asks for the emergency contact’s name, phone number, and physical address.
12. Social Security Number
The twelfth section of the form asks about the traveler’s social security numbers. The form asks for both social security numbers for the traveler and their emergency contact. The form also asks for the travelers’ bank account numbers.
13. Travel Documents
The thirteenth section of the form asks about the traveler’s travel documents. This includes a list of all documents that travelers will be carrying with them when they enter the United States.
The form also asks the traveler to describe any documents that they do not provide.
What are the consequences of not completing a U.S. Customs Declaration Form?
If you don’t complete a U.S. Customs Declaration Form, you may not be able to enter the country and if you’re bringing any items with you you may not be able to bring the item into the country.
There is no fine for not completing a U.S. Customs Declaration Form, but you may be subject to inspection by a customs officer.
What information is required on the U.S. Customs Declaration Form
When traveling to the United States, all individuals must fill out a U.S. Customs Declaration Form in order to declare what items they are bringing into the country.
This form will ask for basic information about the traveler, such as their name, address, and citizenship. It will also ask about the traveler’s itinerary, including their intended length of stay and where they will be staying.
Finally, the form will ask about the traveler’s belongings, including what items they are bringing with them and their estimated value.
Where Can I Get a U.S. Customs Declaration Form?
A U.S. Customs Declaration Form is required for all international travelers entering the United States. This form is used to provide information about traveler and their belongings.
The U.S. Customs Declaration Form can be obtained at any U.S. port of entry, or online at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website.
14. Previous Travel
The fourteenth section of the form asks about any previous travel to the United States. This includes a list of all previous trips to the United States by air or land.
15. Travel Destination
The fifteenth section of the form asks about the traveler’s destination. This includes a list of all previous destinations.
16. Itinerary
The sixteenth section of the form asks about the traveler’s itinerary. This includes a list of all previous trips.
The form then asks for the traveler’s contact information. This includes the traveler’s name, address, phone number, email address, and social security number.
