Placing items in bond during a US stopover

Hi folks,

On the way back from NZ, I'm having a 2 night stopover in the US. Seemed like a good idea rather than coming straight through in one go.

I thought that would limit how much NZ wine I can bring back duty-free, limiting it to the US duty-free import limit, which is less than the UK.

However, I heard that it's possible to bond such items as long as you show evidence of intending to leave the country with it. The US Customs seal it, you don't have to pay import duty on it, and then you just check it in when you depart, showing that the seal is unbroken.

I've been searching online, but the US CBP site isn't being helpful...

Has anyone here done this and has a clue how it works?

Thanks!
Mike

[Scrooge]

I have no idea on this, let me see if I can get hold of my CBP buddy, it may take a couple of days.

Don't know whether or not it answers the question about goods being placed in bond, however I found a document on the CBP website saying non-residents transiting the US can bring up $200 in value of dutiable products, including four litres of dutiable liquor products (not to exceed the $200 US in value), into the country free of duty as long as they will be taking them away with them when they leave the US.

This is roughly the same as the personal wine import allowance as the UK (about 5 750ml bottles per person).

It would therefore be legitimate to make a transit stopover on the way back from NZ in somewhere like LA with this allowance of wine as personal baggage without paying duty.

Mike

[Scrooge]

Darn it Mike, i'm sorry, I totally forgot about it, let me make a note and text him tomorrow.