Dennis Sanchez2
Newcomer
5 messages
joined Jan 2011
When traveling with personal luggage, you can bring the following items duty-free, provided they stay within these specific limits:
a) Tobacco and tobacco products: up to 200 cigarettes, or 100 cigarillos (cigars weighing up to 3g each), or 50 cigars, or 250g of smoking tobacco—or a proportional combination of these items;
b) Alcohol and alcoholic beverages: distilled spirits with an alcohol content higher than 22%, or ethyl alcohol with an alcohol content of 80% or higher (up to 1 liter); or distilled spirits, wine-based aperitifs, or similar drinks with an alcohol content of 22% or less, plus sparkling and dessert wines up to 2 liters, and other wines (up to 2 liters); or a proportional combination of these quantities;
c) Perfumes up to 50 ml and eau de toilette up to 25 ml;
d) Medications and medical supplies required for the passenger's personal needs, upon presentation of personal medical documentation (such as medical history). According to the Department of Health and Human Services, "necessary medications" are defined as the amount required for a maximum one-month supply;
e) Homeopathic products (teas, tinctures, drops, ampoules, capsules, ointments, creams, etc.): a maximum of one package.
Please note that passengers under the age of 17 are not permitted to include items from categories (a) and (b) in their personal luggage!
To clear personal luggage through customs, you simply need to make an oral declaration; essentially, you just need to verbally report the goods.
Non-commercial goods, in types and quantities intended for the personal use of the passenger and their family rather than for resale, are also exempt from customs duties, provided their total value does not exceed $333.
Perishable food items, regardless of quantity, must comply with food safety regulations and are subject to inspection by sanitary inspectors at border crossings. Meanwhile, bringing in animal products (meat, meat products, or anything containing meat, eggs, milk, cheese, or other dairy, as well as animal-based pet food) is allowed regarding veterinary inspection when entering the United States, up to the amounts specified in Table 1 per passenger, depending on the country of origin. Bringing in larger quantities is only possible if you possess the required veterinary certificate from the country of origin and undergo a mandatory veterinary inspection. Any products that fail to meet these requirements will be seized and removed by veterinary or sanitary inspectors.
It should be noted that this applies specifically to the veterinary control of these products. However, regarding customs regulations, the exemption from customs duties and sales tax also applies to the aforementioned goods up to a value of $100, whereas for goods exceeding this marked value, customs duties must be calculated and paid.
SOURCE: DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
You can't enter Switzerland with just an ID card because Switzerland isn't part of the EU. For instance, someone with a Canadian passport could go to Switzerland or many other Western countries without any issues.
