• Customs regulations affect international travelers.airplane image by Clarence Alford from Fotolia.com
  
  Almost all countries place customs restrictions and regulations on international travelers. Typically, certain items will be prohibited for travelers to bring into a country, while others will be restricted in volume or value. Additionally, certain items over a specific personal monetary limit will merit customs taxes, which must be paid on the value of the item being imported.
  
  

Prohibited Items

• The list of items prohibited by customs regulations vary from country to country. If in doubt, it is a good idea to check with the embassy of the country you are planning to visit regarding current customs regulations. Some countries prohibit the import or export of items including firearms, antiques, business equipment, religious materials or prescription drugs. Certain items which are commercially available in foreign countries may be prohibited by the customs regulations of your own country. For example, counterfeit and pirated goods are widely available in many countries outside of the United States, but bringing such items back into the U.S. is illegal under U.S. customs regulations. Likewise, certain animal products from endangered species -- ivory, for example -- is prohibited from export or import into many countries.
  
  

Restricted Items

• Certain items, such as alcohol and tobacco, are limited by most countries in the amount which can be imported or exported by an individual. In certain countries, importation of alcohol is entirely prohibited. In most Western countries, an individual has a certain "duty-free" allowance of alcohol and tobacco which can be purchased without tax and taken into another country without incurring customs charges.
  
  

Customs and the Postal Service

• Items purchased from another country and mailed to you in your home country may be examined by customs officials and in certain cases you may have to pay some customs tax or duty on the value of the item. This is particularly relevant as a consideration when purchasing relatively high-priced items online. Unless the item is packaged and marked as a gift, you may be liable for paying import duty on the value of the item.