What happens if I forget to declare something?
Results range from paying the duty owed to fines or seizure. If you realise at the border, tell an officer before you are asked.
It depends on what the item is, how much it is worth and where you are. Outcomes can range from simply paying the duty owed to a fine, seizure of the goods or, in serious cases, prosecution.
If you realise before the exit
Go back or tell an officer straight away. Most systems treat a traveller who speaks up very differently from one who is found out. Use the red channel or the declare line if you are unsure.
If a parcel was declared wrongly
Contact the carrier or the customs office that handled it. Corrections are often possible before goods are released. After release, the route varies by country.
Habits that prevent it
- Write a quick list of what you are bringing back before you fly home
- Keep receipts together in one place
- When in doubt, declare and ask. Declaring something that turns out to be duty-free costs you a few minutes
The most common slip-ups are in our mistakes guide. General information only, not legal advice. Rules differ by country and change, so the customs authority of the country you are entering always has the final word.