The US Custom and Border Protection (CBP) is part of the United States Department of Homeland Security. The US  Customs service Miami aims to regulate and facilitate international trade, collecting imports and enforcing US regulations. They guard the country’s border to ensure that no one or nothing enters the country illegally. This is done to protect the American people, public safety, community health, domestic plants and wildlife.

When you are coming to the USA, some items that you may bring with you or take home could be prohibited or restricted. Do not try to smuggle anything into the USA. If you are caught, you could be charged a fine (for not declaring everything) or be arrested and prohibited to enter the United States in the future. Make sure you check your luggage before your flight to avoid any problems.

Here, you will find a list of all the things you can bring and the ones you may not.


Alcoholic Beverages

For your vacation in Miami, you may want to bring some alcohol along to celebrate and have fun in your lodging Miami rental. Be aware that the amount and type of alcohol you bring to the US is restricted. You will have to declare it at US  Customs service Miami.

• As a general rule, you can bring into the United State, one liter of alcohol.

• Absinthe or any liquor containing an excess of Arthemisia absinthium is prohibited.

• Aside from US law, the state law of the state in which you first arrive, will govern the amount of alcohol you can bring.

• If you buy alcohol at the duty-free shop, do not open it if you do not intend to drink it all during the flight.

• The limit of liquid quantity you can bring in your carry-on luggage must come in containers of 3 ounces or less and fit in one quart size, zip top, clear plastic bag.


Medication

When traveling to the United States, some travelers will need to take medication with them. It is a good idea to take the essential medications in case you get ill while you are on vacation in your lodging Miami rental.

• Narcotics and other drugs with a high potential for abuse (Rohypnol, GHB) may not be brought into the United States. There are severe penalties for those who attempt to bring them in.

Here are a few tips regarding travel with medications:
- Take only what is necessary for your travel
- Declare medicines that contain potentially addictive drugs to the customs officials
- Keep the medicines and similar products in their original container
- Carry a prescription and/or a written statement from your physician stating that the substances are being used under a doctor’s supervision and are necessary for your well being while traveling.


Drug paraphernalia

It is illegal to bring drug paraphernalia into the US unless it is needed for medication prescribed by a doctor (for example, in the case of diabetes). Any illegal paraphernalia will be seized by US  Customs service Miami. If you are convicted of importation, exportation, manufacturing, sales or transportation of drug paraphernalia, you will be subject to fines or imprisonment.


Arts, Cultural Artifacts and Cultural property

If you plan to bring artwork or cultural artifacts into the USA, be aware that the law is strict concerning the ownership of such items to avoid the stealing of cultural property or masterpieces.
You can bring artwork into the United States if you have the appropriate paper work and can prove that your artwork was allowed to be sold (get a receipt from the art gallery).
The same applies to cultural artifacts. If you do bring such items in the United States, make sure you own the proper paperwork. All stolen cultural artifacts, no matter how many times they have changed hands, are prohibited from entering the US territory and one cannot claim ownership over the items under US law.


Merchandise from Embargoed country

Florida is just miles away from Cuba. If you are planning to visit Cuba or any other embargoed country before entering the US and making your way to a lodging Miami rental, be aware of prohibitions of goods. Generally, you may not bring any goods from the following countries:

- Cuba
- Iran
- Afghanistan
- Iraq
- Libya
- Serbia
- Sudan

There is an exception to bring informational materials such as books, tapes, films or recordings (except from Iraq). So if you find the perfect gift in Cuba, be aware that it can be seized when entering the USA.


Duty Free

When you are buying goods at the duty free, you are allowed $200 worth of value per family - NOT per person.
If the goods you bring back exceed $200, you will have to pay taxes on it. You can get bigger monetary exemptions if you apply.
There are also limitations of the quantities you may bring of some products from the duty free. The duty free allowance is as follows:
- 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 4,4 lbs/2kg of tobacco.
- 1 liter of alcohol (1 US quart).
- $200, $800 or $1600 worth of goods depending on the country you are arriving from.


Firearms

If you want to bring firearms with you into the United States, know that there are strict regulations.

If you want to import firearms, you will have to do it through a licensed arm dealers, importer or manufacturer.

You will need a permit from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) to enter the USA with firearms.

If you buy firearms in the US, you will have to check with your embassy at home or the one from the country your traveling to, to make sure you will be able to enter the country with it.


US international departure tax

When entering or leaving most countries in the world, you have to pay an entry or departure tax. The United States is no exception. The arrival and departure tax is $13.40.

It is generally the responsibility of the airline to collect the tax. It would be wise to check with the airline when you check in to see if the tax is included in the airfare. If the tax is not paid, it could result in a lot of trouble.


Textile and Clothing

There is generally no restriction at US  Customs service Miami on how much fabric you can bring with you as long as it is for your personal use or as a gift.
The amount of clothing and textile shipped or mailed may be subject to limitation on amount. This regards mostly people importing clothing and textile to the USA. If you want to ship clothes from your lodging Miami rental to somewhere else, check with US  Customs service Miami to avoid going over the quotas and find out if any visas are necessary to allow the fabrics to go through US  Customs service Miami.