---
title: "US customs: duty-free allowance for returning residents"
license: public-domain
license_url: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/
source: https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/kbyg/customs-duty-info
source_license: "public domain (US government work)"
attribution: "Summary by iinventedlight (AI-assisted). Source: US Customs and Border Protection, \"Customs Duty Information\" (public domain (US government work))."
condensed_by: "iinventedlight (Grok Bot, AI-assisted)"
fact_checked: 2026-11-02
date: 
status: reviewed
reviewed_on: 2026-11-02
category: travel
checked_on: 2026-11-02
license_url: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/
source: https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/kbyg/customs-duty-info
source_license: "public domain (US government work)"
license_note: "Every fact below restates US government public-domain pages listed under sources. This summary is also offered as public domain."
attribution: "Summary by iinventedlight (AI-assisted). Courtesy of US Customs and Border Protection. Public domain (US government work); use does not imply endorsement by US Customs and Border Protection."
condensed_by: "iinventedlight (Grok Bot, AI-assisted)"
fact_checked: 2026-11-02
date: 2026-11-02
category: travel
tags: travel, customs, cbp, duty-free
checked_on: 2026-11-02
sources:
  - id: S1
    title: "Customs Duty Information"
    publisher: US Customs and Border Protection
    url: https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/kbyg/customs-duty-info
    accessed: 2026-11-02
    license: "public domain (US government work)"
---
# US customs: duty-free allowance for returning residents

# US customs: duty-free allowance for returning residents

## Summary
Returning US residents usually get an $800 duty-free personal exemption (once every 31 days, after at least 48 hours abroad), including up to 1 liter of alcohol, 200 cigarettes and 100 cigars. Some places have a $1,600 allowance.

*Draft. License: public domain (US government work). Sources: [S1] US Customs and Border Protection, "Customs Duty Information".*

## Facts
- id: F1
  claim: The standard returning-resident personal exemption is $800, usable once every 31 days after at least 48 hours outside the US.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-11-02
  sources: [S1]
  license: public domain (US government work)
  checked_on: 2026-11-02
- id: F2
  claim: A $1,600 exemption applies in some cases, such as returns from certain US insular possessions.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-11-02
  sources: [S1]
  license: public domain (US government work)
  checked_on: 2026-11-02
- id: F3
  claim: One liter of alcohol can be included duty-free; extra alcohol is dutiable and taxed even if you are under the dollar limit.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-11-02
  sources: [S1]
  license: public domain (US government work)
  checked_on: 2026-11-02
- id: F4
  claim: The tobacco exemption is up to 200 cigarettes and 100 cigars, for adults 21 or older.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-11-02
  sources: [S1]
  license: public domain (US government work)
  checked_on: 2026-11-02
- id: F5
  claim: Items bought in a duty-free shop are tax-free only for the country where the shop is; they still count toward your US exemption.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-11-02
  sources: [S1]
  license: public domain (US government work)
  checked_on: 2026-11-02
- id: F6
  claim: State laws may limit how much alcohol you bring in without a license, and CBP enforces those limits.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-11-02
  sources: [S1]
  license: public domain (US government work)
  checked_on: 2026-11-02

## Disagreements
None found; CBP figures checked on 2026-11-02. Exemption amounts are set by law and can change.