Articles for personal or household use, or as bona fide gifts, not imported for the account of another person, valued in the aggregate at not over $1,000 fair retail value in the country of acquisition, if the person claiming the benefit of subheading 9816.00.20 or 9816.00.40, or both, has not received the benefits thereof within the 30 days immediately preceding his arrival
2 declarable lines
Heading 9816 covers personal or household articles and bona fide gifts brought in by or for an arriving person, not for the account of another person, with an aggregate value limit of $1,000 fair retail value in the country of acquisition. Subheading 9816.00.20 applies to articles accompanying a person arriving in the United States, excluding duty-free articles and articles acquired in American Samoa, Guam or the U.S. Virgin Islands. Subheading 9816.00.40 applies to articles acquired in those insular possessions as an incident of physical presence and imported by or for the arriving person.
Products in this heading
- Personal clothing and shoes brought back by a traveler
- Toiletries and cosmetics for personal use
- Souvenirs and small gifts under the $1,000 aggregate limit
- Household linens and kitchen utensils for personal use
- Personal electronics such as a laptop or camera for own use
- Books and personal accessories
- Toys bought as gifts
How to choose the right subheading
- Check the aggregate value: the articles must be not over $1,000 fair retail value in the country of acquisition.
- Confirm the use: personal or household use, or bona fide gifts, and not imported for the account of another person.
- Confirm the 30-day rule: the person claiming the benefit has not received 9816 benefits in the 30 days immediately preceding arrival.
- Choose 9816.00.20 for articles accompanying a person arriving in the United States, excluding duty-free articles and articles acquired in American Samoa, Guam or the U.S. Virgin Islands.
- Choose 9816.00.40 for articles acquired in American Samoa, Guam or the U.S. Virgin Islands as an incident of the person's physical presence and imported by or for that person.
Often confused with
- Heading 9806Baggage and effects of alien travelers
Heading 9806 has a separate provision for alien travelers' baggage and effects.
- Heading 9805Personal and household effects of a returning U.S. government employee
Heading 9805 covers extended-duty government employees and their families.
- Heading 9810Articles imported for the use of a religious institution
Heading 9810 is for institutions established solely for religious purposes.
- Heading 9811Alcoholic beverage samples used to solicit orders
Heading 9811 covers limited alcoholic beverage samples for commercial solicitation.
- Heading 9812Articles imported for exhibition by an arts or science institution
Heading 9812 covers exhibition articles for qualifying institutions or societies.
Frequently asked questions
What is the HTS code for personal and household items brought back under $1,000?
Use 9816.00.20 for articles accompanying a person arriving in the United States; the general (MFN) rate is 3% of the fair retail value.
What is the duty on bona fide gifts that meet heading 9816?
Bona fide gifts that meet the heading 9816 limits and accompany the traveler are entered under 9816.00.20; the general (MFN) rate is 3% of the fair retail value.
How do I classify goods acquired in American Samoa, Guam or the U.S. Virgin Islands?
If the goods were acquired there as an incident of physical presence and are imported by or for the arriving person, use 9816.00.40; the general (MFN) rate is 1.5% of the fair retail value.
Guide written from the official schedule text. Rates quoted are general (MFN) rates; check the line page for trade agreement rates and the classification of your exact product.
All lines in heading 9816
- 9816.00.20Accompanying a person, arriving in the United States (exclusive of duty-free articles and articles acquired in American Samoa, Guam or the Virgin Islands of the United States)3 percent of the fair retail value
- 9816.00.40Imported by or for the account of a person (whether or not accompanying him) arriving directly or indirectly from American Samoa, Guam or the Virgin Islands of the United States, acquired in such insular possessions as an incident of such person's physical presence1.5 percent of the fair retail value