To support this site, please buy your goods at:
The Amazon Store
Shop in your shorts!
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Shopping easy at
Weather protection is essential. This is a great lightweight water repellent windbreaker.
The Stormbreaker
by Turfer Sport
Womens's Light Weight Endurance Jacket
Look sharp and be comfortable.
Three Dots Women's Longsleeve Turtleneck Tee
Jessica Simpson Womens Ruby Raincoat (black)
Tilley Endurables TH9 Women's Hemp Hat
I wore one similar to this on my early spring trip to London and Dublin.
Lamb Leather Bomber Jacket - Brown
This is my "standard" shirt for most of the year in Europe.
Men's Combed Cotton Euro Design Ski Turtleneck
My favorite T-shirt/undershirt has a pocket for securely carrying passport, cash, and credit cards.
Turfer Tagless ComfortSoft T-Shirt with Pocket
Wool Blend Ivy Cap
Shopping easy at
The
links in this green field take you directly to a page at Amazon.com.
That page details the item, and in some cases includes candid and critical comments
from others who have bought the item.
Amazon.com pays my site a
small commission when you click and order an item, if you put it in your shopping
cart within 24 hours based on the cookie they set on your computer. If you don't
want to make a quick decision just put it in your shopping cart, think it over,
and come back later. You benefit when buying here because Amazon.com
has a 20% to 30% discount on many items plus a free shipping
deal. The third bonus is that there is no sales tax on internet purchases in
most states. Delivery is fast
even when it is free, and returns are easy if you are not happy with the product.
You win we win. Thanks for your support!!
Have a good trip in life,
John Bermont
Note: Italicized notations by the author.
Make sure that your electrical appliances are 110-220 dual voltage so they will work in Europe.
Note:
These appliances require a plug adapter(s), NOT a converter, for the countries you are visiting.
Vagabond Compact Styler
Conair's Dual-Voltage Ionic Hair Dryer
Conair Flat Iron 2" Ceramic Straightener
Dual Voltage
Travel Hair Setter
Dual Voltage
Remington H-1015
SteamFast SF-717 Home-and-Away Mini Steam Iron (dual voltage)
Braun Series 1 150 Men's Shaver with Automatic Worldwide Voltage Adjustment
For light sleepers here is an international "white noise" machine. Includes a Continental
plug adapter.
Marsona TSCi-330 White Noise Travel Sound Conditioner For both USA and International Use
This CPAP machine is specified for 110-240 dual voltage. All you need is a plug adapter to use this in Europe
RemRest Tier 3 CPAP Machine by Evo Medical
For coffee or tea in your room, without waiting or paying for room service.
This will pay for itself in a few days.
Lewis N. Clark Immersion Heater 120/240V
You will need one or more of these plug adapters for your appliances and chargers.
For details on electricity in Europe see chapter 11,
Electricity in Europe: Travel Voltage Fundamentals
Plug Adapter (doubler)
Universal to Continental Europe "Europlug."
4.0 mm prongs
SIMRAN PLUG ADAPTER
Adapts grounded USA plugs to European "Shucko" plug.
4.8 mm prongs
This is a universal plug adapter for the UK and Ireland.
Grounded Adaptor Plug for Britain and Ireland
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Chapter 25
of
HOW TO EUROPE
The Complete Travelers Handbook
Internet edition. Without photos.
A page from
enjoy-europe.com
with
John Bermont
Don't smuggle.
WHAT IS CUSTOMS?
When entering most countries around the world, after showing your passport
to the border police, you are confronted by customs inspectors.
"Do you have anything to declare?" is the vocabulary of these
men and women.
Customs duty is a tax imposed on goods brought into a
country. The customs inspector is there to look at your goods, make a determination as
to whether you should pay a tax, and to collect the tax.
He is also there to prevent entry of certain contraband. You know what I'm talking about. He
can search your suitcases and pockets and let his dog walk all over your stuff, sniffing and sniffing.
He will detain you if he or poochie finds anything illegal. In some Islamic nations, not in Europe,
the penalty is a final good-bye with vengeance — beheading or hanging.
EUROPEAN CUSTOMS
The Green Door
On entering Europe and again at some border crossings, not many any more, you
will be asked if you have anything to declare. Sometimes the
question is asked in person and sometimes the traveler has a
choice of passing through a gate marked NOTHING TO
DECLARE (Green) or one marked SOMETHING TO DECLARE
(Red). The signs at these gates indicate what must be declared.
Border crossing formalities within the European Union
have vanished. The borders are open and everybody and
everything can pass through without control. The European
Union includes most of western Europe.
Traveling into eastern Europe is another ball game.
Customs police are just as likely to search you when leaving as
when you are coming in. It seems that the rules are what the
border guard wants them to be. A little gift for the guard has
been the rule for decades.
Smokers and Drinkers
In general, the only items of concern to European Customs
(a.k.a. Douane, Zoll, Toll, etc.) agents are alcoholic beverages,
tobacco products, and perfumes. And in general the limits are
one liter of distilled spirits or two liters of wine, 400 smokes,
and two ounces of perfume. Some countries have different
limits, but unless you're carrying around a six pack of Scotch
whiskey, don't worry about it. The "smokes" refers to regular
cigarettes, cigars, and pipe tobacco. Other types can land you in
the local jailhouse.
Even before the borders were opened I made maybe 300
crossings by car, train, plane, and even foot. I never declared
anything, and only had half a dozen episodes with customs
police. On going through the green door entering Ireland, I was
questioned for a moment by the guard. On entering Spain, my
suitcase and briefcase were searched. Another event was on
leaving France, not entering. On leaving the Ukraine I had
minor delays. Entering Romania and Turkey presented
inconveniences, as did a return to Italy by boat from Greece.
These folks are just doing their job so make it easy for them and
they will reciprocate.
Carrying Cash
At one time the French prohibited anyone from taking more than 5,000 francs
out of the country without permission. I was asked several
questions on a train, but two men from the Middle East were
subjected to luggage and wallet searches. Other countries which
had strict enforcement of laws against currency export were
Italy, Portugal, and Greece. This is history now that these
nations are part of the European Union and they all use the euro.
At least they use the euro as of March 2011. It seems that the currency
has changed but the idiot free spending politicians have not. These countries, especially
Greece, have a chance of being booted out of the Euro Zone before
they bankrupt the whole system.
Introduction of the euro and bank cash machines have been the
two best improvements in Europe since I have known it.
Currency controls may still be in effect in some of the
eastern countries. I smuggled a pack of nice crisp 25 ruble notes
out of the Ukraine about 20 years ago. I'm sure the customs
agent saw them in my briefcase on his high powered x-ray
machine because he opened the briefcase and began a slow
search. I handed him a cigarette lighter, one of those that my
company gives away as an advertising item, and that was the end
of the search. I still have that Lenin face stuff
somewhere around the house.
I was stopped by the customs police while leaving Hungary with more than their
limit of cash. I talked my way out of that one by explaining
that I had intended to buy some food on the train, but there
wasn't any food available. That was the truth. Getting food at the
station in Zagreb almost turned into a nightmare, as discussed in
chapter 17,
Trains in Europe. But some Russians on our train from Budapest to
Zagreb never made it to their vacation destination. Because they
did not have the required minimum of $200 in western hard currency
with them the Yugoslav customs police removed them from the train and
sent them back to Hungary. The Hungarian rail workers on the platform
were beaming with delight at the fate of the Russians.
Other European governments can also impose minimum
financial requirements on visitors. If you do not have a return air
ticket and/or money to support yourself you can be denied entry
to any country.
On leaving Romania, even though it is against the law to
take out any lei, the official exchange office would not accept
their own stuff back. I had to change it at a motel in Hungary at
a deep discount.
Many of the eastern countries have laws regarding import
of their currencies. They prefer that you bring dollars to help
support the local economy.
Out in the Wild Wild East
Another fun encounter with customs agents happened when
I left the Ukraine the first time. Exporting any kind of art was a
no-no in the former Soviet Union. I had bought a painting
directly from the artist in a Kiev metro station. You could still
smell the paint it was so fresh. The customs officer picked up
my painting to impound it. Protests of my hosts and a cigarette
lighter in his palm changed the agent's interpretation of the law.
I was allowed to leave Kiyv (formerly spelled Kiev) with the
painting.
A year later they gave the trunk of my car a good look as I
was driving out of the Ukraine, but nothing was found to cause a
delay or require a payoff. I recall buying a rather unique sword somewhere
in the east. It was burried under all the other stuff in the trunk
of the car and the officer didn't find it.
While Elizabeth and I waited six hours at the Bulgarian -
Romanian border we had time to talk with a number of other
travelers. One fellow from Moldova demonstrated the correct
way of avoiding curious questions and expediting your passage
through eastern borders. He mounts a bottle of cheap perfume
on the steering column just below the speedometer. The guard
would just reach in, help himself, and wave the fellow through. I
heard that it was Kent cigarettes in the old days.
UNITED STATES CUSTOMS
There is a difference in the treatment given to Americans
by United States and by European customs agents. Americans
are presumed to be tourists over there, and tourists are usually
given a hearty welcome. Inspections are rare and not especially
thorough. Coming home though, be prepared for more.
Returning to the United States will likely be one of the more
traumatic experiences of your travels thanks to Uncle Sam's
Customs Service. These folks are very curious.
Before You Go
To ease the shock of re-entry the Customs Service has
produced an extremely valuable booklet.
Know Before You Go
details many of the laws and regulations enforced at our borders.
It would be nice if the State Department sent one of these
booklets every time they mailed out a passport. Nevertheless, get
this booklet and read it, before you go!
I'll briefly summarize some of the information from Know
Before You Go in the balance of this chapter. However, there are
many exceptions to this general summation so get the booklet
and read the whole story from the original source.
Landing Card
On returning to the USA you must fill out the "Customs
Declaration" while still in the air. On this you declare the value
of everything purchased or given to you while outside the
country, including used items. Even the value of repairs made
on personal items is dutiable. No joke. I wonder if they charge
duty on surgery you have done overseas. Budapest is reported to be a center
of high quality and low cost dental work.
After having passed Passport Control you surrender your
"Customs Declaration" and passport to the Customs agent. You
will then be asked where you have been and why and how long,
all the while being given the most unwelcome look-over you've
had since the day you forgot your lunch money in grade school.
Don't lose your cool.
Agriculture
One of the questions on the "Customs Declaration" asks if
you are carrying foods and plants with you. If you answer yes
the customs inspector will write a big A on your declaration and
direct you to a line for further questioning by Agriculture
Department inspectors. I missed the questioning phase on a
return to Detroit because the Dutch cheese I had was in the bag
that the airline lost. They weren't interested in the cigars I
declared.
Duty
The general rule is that goods with a total value of up to
$800 enter duty free. This is your personal exemption.
Everything above that is assessed at approximately 3%.
There
are exceptions to the general rule so if you have something
special in mind check with Customs before you come home with
it. The duty on certain
items from some countries in Europe
is equal to the price you paid, in effect a 100% duty.
Embargoed
There are many things which are not admitted to the United
States, and many other things on which there are restrictions. These
are long lists, and subject to change by the Treasury Department
and other federal agencies whenever they feel like it. Before going overseas, request
copies of the current regulations. In addition to Know Before
You Go titles of pamphlets with important information are:
- Pocket Hints
- Trademark Information
- Importing a Car
- Pets and Wildlife
- GSP & the Traveler
- State Laws on Importing Alcoholic Beverages
You will be surprised at the lists of restricted and
prohibited items. It's better to be surprised by reading these
pamphlets before you go. If you come home and proudly show
the Customs inspector a valuable tourist trophy which happens
to be on the prohibited list you will make his day.
Things change now and then. For example, Executive
Order 12959, stated that as of May 6, 1995 the United States
prohibits U.S citizens from purchasing goods made in Iran. This
order specifically mentions those beautiful carpets and the
prohibition also applies to American citizens living outside the
USA. I guess that former President Bill Clinton's intention was
to have the FBI go into every bedroom of every American
around the world looking for carpets and their certificates of
origin? And don't forget, President Kennedy's prohibition on
Cuban cigars is still in effect after 45 years. Doesn't our
government have anything better to do?
Anyway, when you're in Istanbul shopping in the Bazaar
check the labels. Don't believe it when the seller tells you that a
fake receipt will fool US Customs inspectors. Maybe not.
Customs will seize personal computers and software which
violate United States trademark and copyright laws. CDs made
in communist China with tens of thousands of dollars worth of
software are on sale in many places for less than $20 each.
These CDs violate US and all international copyright laws. The
CDs can be seized by any customs official.
Music CDs and DVDs can also be confiscated if they
violate US copyright laws. Music CDs will apparently work in
any CD player. However, DVDs sold in some
countries can be played only on DVD players sold in that
country or region. There are six DVD regions in the world. European
DVDs will not work in American DVD players.
Avoiding Double Duty
Some of the things you packed and brought with you
overseas were made outside the USA. For example, most
cameras and camcorders are made in Japan or another Asian
country. If you do not present evidence that foreign-made items
which you already own were purchased in the United States, or
that duty has already been paid, you might be required to pay
duty a second time when you come home.
Carry the original receipts for all foreign-made articles
which you own. If you do not have the original receipt for a
foreign item purchased in the United States, or for which you
have previously paid duty, fill out a Customs declaration form
before you leave the United States. The declaration can be made
at the customs office in any international airport.
If you are planning tight connections before boarding for
Europe, contact Customs beforehand to find out where this can
be done near your home. Only items with serial numbers can be
registered. Cameras, camera lenses, and most electronic items
have serial numbers. If you can't find the s/n on the back, look
inside the battery housing.
Go Directly To Jail
Attempting to bring contraband home is foolish. At the
very least, the stuff will be confiscated when found.
Depending on the item, possession may land you in the federal slammer,
right now.
If you declare an item at less than you paid for it, be ready
to be found out. Customs agents see thousands of items in a
week. They know the prices as surely as your mother knows the
price of lettuce. Some famous citizens have been caught making false declarations
and have paid magnificent fines according to news reports.
US Customs says that it seizes a million dollars
in cash and two tons of drugs, every day. They confiscate plenty
of other stuff also, and send a lot of people to jail. Don't be
stupid.
Landing Spirits
Even though United States Federal law allows wine, beer,
and liquor to be imported, all states have their own laws on
import of alcoholic beverages. Many of these laws are more
restrictive than the Federal law which allows one liter of alcohol
duty free, if you are at least 21 years of age. United States
Customs also enforces state laws. General information on these
laws is presented in one of the United States Customs brochures,
"Information for Travelers -- State Laws on Importing Alcoholic
Beverages."
Also, call your state alcoholic beverage control board and
get specifics before you go if you plan to purchase a case of
wine. If your return flight lands in another state you must satisfy
the law of that state when clearing Customs. Some states
prohibit importation of all alcohol, without exceptions.
$10,000
When entering and leaving the United States, there are
other restrictions by various Federal agencies which are
enforced by the Customs Service. Customs says that it enforces
some 4,000 laws administered by 40 federal agencies.
One of the regulations is on money. If you are taking more
than $10,000 in currency or negotiable instruments out of the
country our Big Brother in Washington wants to know all about
it. You must file a report with the Treasury Department. You
must also file a report if you are coming home with more than
$10,000. This law was put into effect to stop the flow of money
attributed to illegal drug trafficking. Are they serious? Why
don't they just let the grass be grown at home and help our
balance of trade?
NOTE TO READERS
I welcome questions and comments. If you have any concerns about your trip to
Europe that have not been covered well enough in this chapter do not hesitate to write and ask.
My email address is
johnbermont@enjoy-europe.com.
When you write please include as much detail as possible. There are about 50 countries in Europe.
It will help me answer if you mention the countries and/or cities you plan to visit.
I will reply in a day or two.
Don't forget to scroll through the Table of Contents below. The other 29 chapters of
HOW TO EUROPE
are also available, free to read on line. In addition, the Google search box below can locate specific subjects
in any chapter or page on site.
For a check-off punchlist of everything go to The Finale,
Packing List and Last Call: For Travel
in Europe.
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