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US Customs & CBP Form 3299: Importing Household Goods from India

How CBP Form 3299 works for importing used household goods from India duty-free — who qualifies (including H-1B and L-1 visa holders), the 1-year use rule, prohibited items (ivory, alcohol), and the documents your customs broker needs.

Assure Shift Editorial · Relocation specialists1 Jul 20269 min read

When household goods ship from India to the United States separately from their owner — which is the case for every sea or air freight move — US Customs and Border Protection requires a CBP Form 3299, formally the "Declaration for Free Entry of Unaccompanied Articles". Under 19 CFR § 148.52, used household goods and personal effects that have been owned and used abroad for at least one year, imported for personal use and not intended for sale, generally qualify for duty-free entry. This duty-free treatment generally extends to both returning US residents and non-immigrant visa holders — including those on H-1B and L-1 visas — who meet the 1-year use threshold (verify your specific situation with CBP and your licensed customs broker before shipping).

The rules on prohibited and restricted items matter as much as the duty-free conditions: ivory (including carvings and antique furniture inlays common in Indian households) is severely restricted, and alcohol in mover-shipped containers is generally not covered by the household-goods duty-free exemption. This guide covers the full customs picture for an India-to-US household move — the 3299 duty-free conditions, who qualifies, prohibited and restricted items, and the documents your licensed customs broker will need to clear your shipment at the US port of entry.

Key takeaways

CBP Form 3299 ("Declaration for Free Entry of Unaccompanied Articles") is the form that grants duty-free entry when household goods arrive separately from the owner — i.e. every mover-shipped sea or air freight move.
Duty-free if: goods were used abroad for ≥1 year (19 CFR § 148.52); imported for personal use; not for sale. The year of use need not be continuous nor the year immediately before importation.
Who qualifies: generally extends to both returning US residents AND non-immigrant visa holders (H-1B, L-1, etc.) who meet the 1-year use threshold — verify your specific situation with CBP and your licensed customs broker.
Ivory is severely restricted (including antique furniture inlays common in Indian homes); a narrow antique exception rarely applies in practice. Assume ivory cannot be shipped; identify every ivory item to your broker before packing.
Alcohol in mover-shipped (unaccompanied) containers is generally NOT covered by the household-goods duty-free exemption and may be subject to federal duty + excise tax. Many movers advise excluding it entirely.

CBP Form 3299 — Duty-free entry for used household goods

CBP Form 3299 — officially the "Declaration for Free Entry of Unaccompanied Articles" — is filed by the importer (or more usually, their licensed US customs broker) when household goods and personal effects arrive at the US port of entry separately from the owner. It is the legal instrument that triggers the duty-free treatment for qualifying used goods.

The core duty-free rule (19 CFR § 148.52) is that used household goods and personal effects qualify for duty-free entry if they: (1) were used abroad for not less than one year by the importer or by a family household the importer resided in for at least one year; (2) are being imported for the importer's personal use; and (3) are not intended for sale or for another person's use. Importantly, the year of use does not need to be continuous, and it does not need to be the year immediately before importation — goods used over time during a multi-year overseas stay qualify.

This duty-free treatment generally extends to both returning US residents and non-immigrant visa holders — including H-1B, L-1 and similar visa holders — who meet the 1-year use threshold. Application can vary by port director; verify your specific situation with CBP and your licensed customs broker before you ship. Your broker files Form 3299 on your behalf at the US port of entry.

Prohibited & restricted items — what cannot go in a mover shipment from India

Food — fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, seeds, plants and soil are generally prohibited or restricted when imported in household-goods shipments. Commercially packaged and canned goods are generally permitted if declared. All agricultural products must be declared at the US port of entry and are subject to USDA/CBP inspection.

Ivory is severely restricted — this includes carvings, decorative objects and antique furniture inlays that are common in Indian households. A narrow antique exception exists in US law, but in practice it requires: (1) entry via a US Customs-designated antique port; (2) proof that the item is pre-1973 and unmodified; AND (3) a valid CITES export permit from India — a permit that is rarely obtainable for existing household items. The practical advice is to assume ivory cannot be shipped; identify every ivory item to your licensed customs broker before packing or it may be seized at the US port of entry.

Protected wood — certain CITES-listed timber species are restricted or prohibited. If you have furniture made from rosewood (Dalbergia) or other CITES-listed timber, discuss this with your broker before shipping.

Alcohol — alcohol in mover-shipped (unaccompanied) containers is generally NOT covered by the duty-free household-goods exemption under 19 CFR § 148.52 and may be subject to federal duty plus excise tax. Returning US residents may claim up to approximately 1 litre of alcohol duty-free under their separate personal baggage exemption, but that exemption applies to accompanied personal luggage, not mover-shipped goods, and does not extend to non-immigrant visa holders in the same way. US state alcohol-import rules apply independently (New York State, California and others have their own regulations). Verify with your customs broker before packing any alcohol — many movers advise excluding it entirely to avoid delays and additional duties.

Always verify the current CBP prohibited and restricted items list with your mover and licensed customs broker before packing. Rules change and CBP enforcement priorities shift.

Documents you'll need for US customs clearance

Your licensed US customs broker prepares and files the customs entry on your behalf, but you will need to supply the following documents: (1) Passport and valid US visa (H-1B, L-1, immigrant visa, or other status). (2) Signed CBP Form 3299 — the Declaration for Free Entry of Unaccompanied Articles. (3) A detailed valued inventory and packing list, which functions as the customs inventory. (4) Bill of Lading (sea) or Air Waybill (air), provided by your carrier. (5) Proof of residence abroad — documents supporting the ≥1-year use claim, such as lease agreements, utility bills or employment letters from your time overseas.

Your freight forwarder or customs broker also files the Importer Security Filing (ISF, also known as "10+2") at least 24 hours BEFORE the vessel loads at the Indian origin port (Nhava Sheva/JNPT, Mundra, Chennai, etc.) — this is a pre-shipment cargo-security filing required by CBP, and it is separate from the on-arrival Form 3299 clearance. Engage your customs broker early so the ISF can be filed on time.

Start gathering these documents 6–8 weeks before your move date. Engaging a licensed customs broker (a Customs House Broker, or CHB, licensed by CBP) is strongly recommended — they file the entry, manage the CBP examination process, and handle any queries on your behalf.

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US customs & CBP Form 3299 — FAQ

Will my household goods be duty-free when they enter the US?

Yes, if they qualify under CBP Form 3299 ("Declaration for Free Entry of Unaccompanied Articles"): the items must have been used abroad for at least one year, must be imported for your personal use, and must not be intended for sale (19 CFR § 148.52). The year of use need not be continuous nor the year immediately before importation. This duty-free treatment generally extends to both returning US residents and non-immigrant visa holders (H-1B, L-1, etc.) who meet the one-year use threshold. Verify your specific situation with CBP and your licensed customs broker before shipping.

What is CBP Form 3299?

CBP Form 3299 is formally the "Declaration for Free Entry of Unaccompanied Articles". It is filed by the importer (or their licensed US customs broker) when household goods and personal effects arrive at the US port of entry separately from the owner — which is the situation for every sea or air freight move. The form declares the goods and asserts the duty-free claim. Your customs broker files it on your behalf.

Do H-1B and L-1 visa holders qualify for the duty-free exemption?

Generally yes — the duty-free treatment under 19 CFR § 148.52 generally extends to non-immigrant visa holders, including those on H-1B, L-1 and similar visas, who meet the 1-year use threshold. However, application can vary by port director, and the rules for non-immigrants differ in some respects from those for returning US residents. Verify your specific visa situation with CBP and your licensed customs broker before you ship.

Can I ship ivory items (carvings, antique furniture inlays) from India to the US?

Ivory is severely restricted in the US — including carvings and antique furniture inlays that are common in Indian households. A narrow antique exception exists, but in practice it requires entry via a US Customs-designated antique port, proof that the item is pre-1973 and unmodified, AND a valid CITES export permit from India. CITES export permits for household ivory are rarely obtainable. The practical advice is to assume ivory cannot be shipped. Identify every ivory item to your licensed customs broker before packing — items that are not properly permitted may be seized at the US port of entry.

Can I include alcohol in my mover shipment from India to the US?

Alcohol in mover-shipped (unaccompanied) containers is generally NOT covered by the duty-free household-goods exemption (19 CFR §148.52) and may be subject to federal duty plus excise tax. Returning US residents may claim up to approximately 1 litre duty-free under their separate personal baggage exemption, but that exemption applies to accompanied personal luggage — not goods shipped by a mover. It does not extend to non-immigrant visa holders in the same way. US state alcohol-import rules (New York, California, etc.) apply independently on top of federal rules. Verify with your customs broker before packing any alcohol; many movers advise excluding it entirely.

What is the ISF (Importer Security Filing / "10+2") and when does it need to be filed?

The Importer Security Filing (ISF), sometimes called "10+2", is a cargo-security filing required by CBP. It must be filed at least 24 hours BEFORE the vessel loads at the origin port (Nhava Sheva/JNPT, Mundra, Chennai, etc.). This is a pre-shipment filing — it is entirely separate from the on-arrival CBP Form 3299 customs clearance. Your freight forwarder or licensed customs broker handles the ISF. Engage your broker early so this can be filed on time without delaying your vessel loading.

What food items can I bring in a mover shipment from India?

Fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, seeds, plants and soil are generally prohibited or restricted in household-goods shipments. Commercially packaged and canned goods are generally permitted if declared. All agricultural products must be declared at the US port of entry and are subject to USDA/CBP inspection. When in doubt, leave it out — undeclared agricultural items can result in fines and delays.

Related routes

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