The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-29
WHAT PASSENGERS MAY
BRING into COUNTRY
Secretary Shaw Issues Circular
Giving Full Information on
the Subject.
LIMIT ON CIGARETTES

WASHINGTON. Jan. 2S.-Secretary Shaw
has issued a circular to passengers arriving
IN the United States from foreign countries
regarding examination of baggage, passen-
gers declarations, exemptions from duty.
etc, which will be sent to each passenger
as far possible before embarking on out
going steamers. AS TO exemptions from
duty, the secretary. following a recent dec-
sion Of the Circuit Court OF Appeals for the
Second Circuit. holds in effect that each re-
turning passenger, resident of the United
States may bring into the country, free of
duty, articles purchased abroad, except
cigars and cigarettes. in excess of fifty of
the former and three hundred of the latter,
for himself or any other person, up to the
amount of 800, provided they are not in
tended for sale. The text of the circular is
as follows:
"AH persons on their arrival in the United
States are required to make a declaration
under oath OF all dutfable articles obtained
by them abroad upon a blank furnished by
the government to an acting deputy collec-
tor, who will board the vessel at quaran-
The declaration will be verified at the
pier by careful examination of the contents
of the package. In order to expedite the in
spection and to facilitate your departure
from the pier. you are requested to answer
fully the questions OF the acting deputy col
lector at the time OF taking your declaration.
A failure TO frankly answer is likely to
arouse suspicion and to a minute
scrutiny of your baggage and consequent
delay. The senior member of family may
include all the members thereof in his or
Each person is entitled to bring in fifty
cigars or three hundred cigarettes for his
own use. All cigars and cigarettes in excess
or this number and less than three hundred
are liable TO seizure. but in meritorious cases
may be released by the payment of a fine
equal to the duty and the internal revenue
tax.
Duties will be assessed at the foreign
market values at the time of expectation
with due allowance for wear or deprecia-
ton. A failure TO declare dutiable articles
In your possession will render the same IL
able to seizure and confiscation, and you to
criminal prosecution.
''In case passengers are dissatisfied with
the values placed upon dutiable articles,
they have the privilege TO demand a re-
examination, but application therefor
should be Immediately made to the deputy
collector at the pier.
Government officers are forbidden by
law to accept anything but currency in
payment OF duties, but If requested will
retain baggage on the pier for twenty-four
hours TO enable the owner to secure the
currency.
ut is unlawful for customs officers to
receive any tip or gratuity, and TO offer
the same is a violation of law.
Passengers are requested to promptly
report 10 the secretary OF the treasury the
collector at the custom house, or to the
deputy collector at the pier any discour-
tesy or incivility on the part Of customs
officers.
"A resident OF the United States return
ing thereto is entitled TO bring with him
free OF duty personal effects taken abroad
by him as baggage, provided they have not
been remOdeled or improved abroad so as
10 increase their value. and. I'm addition
thereto, articles purchased or otherwise
obtained abroad. of a total value not ex-
ceeding sl00. Such articles may be for the
use of the person bringing them for
others. but not for sale.
''Nonresidents of the United States are
entitled TO bring with them baggage.
free OF duty. all wearing apparel. articles
of personal adOrnment. toilet articles and
similar personal effects in actual use and
necessary and appropriate for the wear
and use OF such persons and their present
comfort and convenience, not intended for
other persons for sale.
Household effects OF persons or fam
flies. from foreign countries admitted
free OF duty II actually used abroad by
them not less than one year and not in
tended for any other person for sale
Residents who desire to take sealskin
garments abroad may have the same reg
istered with the collector"
tons were meant 10 be given to the word
Articles" as used In the paragraph relat-
ing 10 the 500 exemptions. IL was said at
the department that no limitations were in
tended except as noted in the circular