Travel Tip Tuesday | Returning Home

What to Expect When You Return Home at Customs

All travelers must complete a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Declaration Form 6059B itemizing all purchased merchandise and agricultural products when returning to the United States.  You can download this declaration and fill it out prior to leaving the United States or during your travels.

Courtesy U.S. Customs and Border Protection

In addition to the above option, there are three additional options open to travelers. The first option is that you complete a paper form that is obtained on the flight or port of entry on your flight or cruise. 

The second option is to complete the online form at a Global Entry kiosk that is only available at select airports. Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows pre-approved, low risk-travelers re-entering the United States through automatic kiosks at select airports. At these airports, program members proceed to Global Entry Kiosks to scan their passport, fingerprints, and complete the customs declaration. The kiosk issues the traveler a transaction receipt and directs the traveler to the baggage claim area and the exit.

The third option is to complete the online form at an Automated Passport Control kiosk. Be sure to keep all your purchase receipts handy in an envelope in your carry on to ease the process. Travelers scan their passport, and are prompted to take a photo using the kiosk, and answer a series of CBP related questions that verify flight and personal information. Once this process is completed a receipt is issued and travelers proceed with the receipt to a CBP Officer for a final inspection.