Moving to the USA: How to Get Your Household Goods Through Customs

A move to the USA needs at least 3 to 6 months of preparation. During that time you should:

• Take stock of everything you own

• Decide what comes with you and what gets sold or thrown out

• Hire an international moving company with US experience

• Check problematic items early (cars, antiques, food)

• Budget for shipping, insurance and possible customs fees

Case study: the Müller family

The Müller family from Munich planned their move to Texas. They started taking stock six months ahead. Furniture, books and the kids' toys came along. They sold their old car, because converting it to US standards would have cost too much. The result: a full 40-foot container that arrived in Houston and was delivered within a week of release.

Household goods and personal effects include furniture, clothing, appliances, books, sports equipment and personal collections that have been in use abroad for at least one year. That year does not have to be continuous, nor immediately before your move.

• New items are classed by US Customs as commercial goods and may be subject to duty.

• Receipts and proof of purchase help avoid misunderstandings during clearance.

Important: If you buy new furniture just before the move because "it's all going in the container anyway", you risk duties and taxes in the USA.

Every box must be numbered and its contents listed on an inventory list. The list must be in English and must not be too general.

• Instead of "Kitchen": "Pots, pans, cutlery, dishes"

• List high-value items individually, with their value

• Check hazardous goods (batteries, aerosol cans) separately

• List electronic devices with their serial numbers

Tip: a bilingual list (your language and English) saves back-and-forth with customs.

Case study: a single person moving by air freight

Mr. Schneider moved to New York on his own and chose to ship only clothing, a computer and a few personal items by air freight. His inventory list covered 7 boxes. Because he listed everything precisely, customs clearance went without a hitch within 24 hours.

Importing your personal effects requires several forms:

• CBP Form 3299, Declaration for Free Entry of Unaccompanied Articles: the main declaration for duty-free entry.

• Supplemental Declaration: an additional declaration for sensitive goods (e.g. medication, firearms).

• Power of Attorney (POA): authorizes the moving company or broker to represent you with customs.

For vehicles, you also need:

• Form HS-7: confirmation of US safety standards

• Form EPA 3520-1: declaration on emissions standards

Mistake number 1: many people forget to sign the forms or to submit the originals. Customs often won't accept scanned signatures.

• CBP forms are available online on the US Customs and Border Protection website.

• Many moving companies and customs brokers provide the forms directly.

• HS-7 is available from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

• You can get EPA 3520-1 from the US Environmental Protection Agency.

You hand the completed and signed forms to your international moving company or directly to the customs broker in the USA.

• The broker files the paperwork with CBP.

• As a rule, you don't have to go to customs in person unless questions come up.

In practice: in 95% of cases the whole process runs through the broker. Only in special cases (e.g. importing firearms) do you need to appear in person.

• Your moving company arranges the container or air freight.

• All boxes are sealed.

• The documents go to the broker in the USA at the same time.

• On arrival, customs often opens the container and carries out spot checks.

Ocean freight: 4 to 8 weeks in transit, cheaper, ideal for large volumes.
Air freight: a few days in transit, much more expensive, for smaller volumes or essential items.

Once it arrives, your shipment is taken to a bonded warehouse. Here's what applies there:

1. Customs review of your paperwork: inventory lists, forms, supporting documents

2. Physical inspection: CBP opens and examines the container

3. Release: only then can the moving company deliver

4. Delivery to your home: by the moving company or a partner firm

Missing or incorrect documents lead to delays, storage fees or seizure.

Case study: the Fischer family

The Fischer family forgot to declare their new furniture correctly as "newly purchased" on the inventory list. Customs in New Jersey demanded additional paperwork. The result: a two-week delay and $1,200 in storage fees.

• Usually 1 to 5 business days, if everything was filed correctly

• Delays are caused by incomplete inventory lists or problematic items

• Some ports are fast (Houston, Miami), others notoriously slow (Newark, Los Angeles)

Your household goods can be imported duty-free if:

• you are moving your residence to the USA

• the items have been used abroad for at least one year

• the goods are imported generally no later than ten years after your arrival

Tip: Keep your plane tickets, leases and utility bills, as they prove your change of residence.

Importing a car is far more complicated:

• US safety and emissions standards differ from European ones

• Modifications can cost several thousand dollars

• Some models cannot be registered at all

Alternative: sell your car in Europe and buy a comparable model in the USA. Often cheaper and far less stressful.

• Food, plants, wood products: risk of pests

• Medication: only with a prescription and in original packaging, and some are banned

• Firearms and ammunition: only with a permit

• Artwork, antiques, precious metals: must be declared separately

A surprise for many: even a harmless wooden toy can be seized if the wood is untreated.

Be sure to take out transit insurance:

• Check whether only total loss or partial damage is covered too

• Whether the full value or only the current value is reimbursed

• International policies are often cheaper than the moving company's offer

• Storage fees when there are delays

• Inspection fees charged by customs

• Vehicle modification costs

• Penalties for incorrect declarations

Rule of thumb: better to declare an item honestly (and pay a little duty if needed) than to risk penalties and storage fees later.

Moving to the USA is demanding, both logistically and for tax. With thorough planning, complete documentation and an experienced moving company, you avoid high costs and hassle.

In the USA, your household goods pass through a bonded warehouse, are inspected by customs and are delivered to your home only once released. Know the process and you start your new American life stress-free. You will find an overview of every stage in our moving section, the tax side is covered under tax planning before your move, and our visa overview shows which US visa fits your plans.

Mount Bonnell Advisors in Austin, Texas, has helped European families, entrepreneurs and investors make the move to the USA for many years. We help you with:

• Customs and tax questions around household goods

• Strategies for importing vehicles and for property ownership

• Tax-efficient structuring of your fresh start in the USA

Book an appointment with us now so your move succeeds not just logistically, but on the tax side too.

Consultation & implementation

If you'd like to find out what this means for your own situation, the best step is to book a consultation.