Lightened Duties

Note:

When you go on vacation out of thecountry, you pay customs fees on whatevergoodies you bring back with you,if the value is over a certain dollar limit.That threshold recently got bumped upfrom $400 to $800 ($600 if you'revacationing in the Caribbean), so youcan bring more home without payingany duties. If you think you'll be overthe higher dollar limit, you can alsoavoid duty fees by marking items "forpersonal use" and mailing them backhome to yourself. The value of whateveryou mail home can't be more than$200 and you should make sure thatwhat you save in duty fees isn't offsetby mailing costs. The mail-backexemption doesn't apply to alcohol,tobacco, or perfume.