Can new LPRs bring their belongings to US without having to pay customs duty?

[VidhiVidhan]

Hi all, Though I have been a regular visitor to these forums for years, this is my first posting. And I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for invaluable input they provide.

I recently got approved (12/04). Someone told me that after getting GC, we have two years time to get our belongings from home country without having to pay customs duty. It is treated like moving residence. Is it true?

I have some rare antiques and paintings back home in India. I wanted to know if I could bring them here without having to pay duty.

Thank you in advance...

 

[wik]

Hi all, Though I have been a regular visitor to these forums for years, this is my first posting. And I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for invaluable input they provide.

I recently got approved (12/04). Someone told me that after getting GC, we have two years time to get our belongings from home country without having to pay customs duty. It is treated like moving residence. Is it true?

I have some rare antiques and paintings back home in India. I wanted to know if I could bring them here without having to pay duty.

Thank you in advance...

My wife and I shipped most of our belongings from Europe when we first came here in 1993 on an O-1 visa, and then brought the rest of the stuff over while our 485 was pending. Now we have our GC.

At no point did we have to pay customs duty on anything. We needed to itemize the things being shipped and show proof of legal status to the shipping firm. If they are your personal belongings, my understanding is that it is just like moving residence and no customs taxes apply.

 

[pralay]

I have some rare antiques and paintings back home in India. I wanted to know if I could bring them here without having to pay duty.

If they are not merchandize item (which definitely not in your case), you don't need to pay any custom duty.