FAQ's

DRAFT:

Family Declaration Frequently Asked Questions from Travelers

Q: Who is eligible to file a joint or family CBP declaration?

A: People who are related by blood, marriage, domestic relationship or adoption, and who are traveling as a family via the same flight, ship or vehicle to the U.S., may file a single customs declaration, CBP Form 6059-B, for articles acquired abroad.

Q: Who is included in the term “domestic relationship”?

A: The term “domestic relationship” includes foster children, stepchildren, half-siblings, legal wards, other dependents, and individuals with an in loco parentis or guardianship relationship, and also includes two adults who are in a committed relationship including, but not limited to, long-time companions and couples in civil unions or domestic partnerships, wherein the partners are financially interdependent and are not married to, or a partner of, anyone else.

A “domestic relationship” does not extend to roommates or other cohabitants not otherwise meeting the above definition.

Q: Is there an age limit to who qualifies to file a family or joint declaration as people in a “domestic relationship?”

A: There is no age limit concerning foster children, step-children, half-siblings, legal wards or other dependents, and individuals with an in loco parentis or guardianship relationship. Domestic relationships—of couples who are in a committed relationship, including, but not limited to, long-time companions, and couples in civil unions, or domestic partnerships, wherein the partners are financially interdependent, and are not married to, or a partner of, anyone else—must be between two adults.

Q: Who in a family or domestic relationship may make the joint declaration?

A: One member of the family group may make a joint declaration, either oral or written, for all members residing in the same household and traveling together to the United States.

Q: Can U.S. residents and international visitors make a joint or family declaration?

A: Both U.S. residents and international visitors can make a joint or family declaration as long as they are related by blood, marriage, domestic relationship or adoption and are traveling as a family to the U.S. For returning U.S. residents to group their exemptions from customs duty and internal revenue tax, members of a family residing in one household must have lived together in one household at their last permanent residence and intend to live together in one household after their arrival into the U.S.

Q: Can people making a joint or family declaration do it verbally or must they file a CBP Form 6059-B?

A: Unless an oral declaration is accepted (generally only at the land border ports of entry), a written declaration on a CBP Form 6059b is required of all people arriving in the United States.  The form must be presented to the CBP officer who will inspect the passenger’s baggage.  Arriving air and sea travelers generally must fill out the customs declaration, and most land border travelers may provide an oral declaration unless instructed otherwise by the CBP officer. If an oral/verbal declaration is accepted, a joint declaration may be made on behalf of the family group by one member of the group.