Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
encountered), $50 bills, and $100 bills (the last two are usually
not welcome as payment for small purchases).
Coins come in eight denominations: 1¢ (1 cent, or a penny);
5¢ (5 cents, or a nickel); 10¢ (10 cents, or a dime); 25¢ (25
cents, or a quarter); 50¢ (50 cents, or a half-dollar); the gold-
colored Sacagawea coin, worth $1; the Presidential $1 coin;
and the rare silver dollar.
Customs
What You Can Bring into the United States:
Every
visitor more than 21 years of age may bring in, free of duty,
the following: (1) 1 liter of wine or hard liquor; (2) 200 ciga-
rettes, 100 cigars (but not from Cuba), or 3 pounds of smok-
ing tobacco; and (3) $100 worth of gifts. These exemptions are
offered to travelers who spend at least 72 hours in the United
States and who have not claimed them within the preceding
6 months. It is altogether forbidden to bring into the country
foodstuffs (particularly fruit, cooked meats, and canned
goods) and plants (vegetables, seeds, tropical plants, and the
like). International tourists may carry in or out up to $10,000
in U.S. or foreign currency with no formalities; larger sums
must be declared to U.S. Customs on entering or leaving,
which includes filing form CM 4790. For details regarding U.S.
Customs and Border Protection, consult your nearest U.S.
embassy or consulate, or
U.S. Customs
(
&
202/927-1770;
www.customs.ustreas.gov).
What You Can Take Home from the United States:
Canadian Citizens:
For a clear summary of Canadian rules,
write for the booklet
I Declare,
issued by the
Canada Border
Services Agency
(
&
800/461-9999
in Canada, or 204/983-3500;
www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca).
U.K. Citizens:
For information, contact
HM Customs &
Excise
at
&
0845/010-9000
(from outside the U.K., 020/8929-
0152), or consult their website at
www.hmce.gov.uk
.
Australian Citizens:
A helpful brochure available from Aus-
tralian consulates or Customs offices is
Know Before You Go.
For more information, call the
Australian Customs Service
at
&
1300/363-263,
or log on to
www.customs.gov.au
.
New Zealand Citizens:
Most questions are answered in a
free pamphlet available at New Zealand consulates and Cus-
toms offices:
New Zealand Customs Guide for Travellers,
Notice no. 4.
For more information, contact
New Zealand
Customs,
The Customhouse, 17-21 Whitmore St., Box 2218,
