On 29-Jun-2009, at 10:05, Sherwin Ang wrote:
i'll be bringing in 2 cisco switches to one wilshire in LA to install those switches there. since these are small switches, 3750's, i'll be carrying them on the check-in luggage. I would like to get some information if i could be in trouble in any way with regards to Customs there in the US, i'll be coming from the Philippines by the way. insights, off list would be greatly appreciated. tnx!
If you put metal devices in your checked baggage you should be prepared for them to be noticed in routine x-rays as the baggage is processed. I've found notes from TSA inside my checked bags before confirming that someone had opened and searched my luggage, most recently between the US and Canada. There was a Juniper SSG5 in there (which I had declared) which I presumed caused the bag to be flagged.
Last time I checked, there was no simple box to check on customs paperwork for "we still own these switches, but we want to keep them in the US rather than at home". It might well be that they need to be processed as if you are importing them, in which case commercial invoices confirming their value and other documentation confirming their origin might well be required, and you might have to pay import duty.
If you want to avoid any unpleasant questions at the border, then the right thing to do is probably to find out what supporting paperwork is required to support the import of the switches into the US, bring that paperwork with you, and declare the switches at customs.
Alternatively ship the switches separately, and let FedEx or similar deal with the border. You can then make the border crossing carrying nothing but clothes and a laptop, which ought to be uncomplicated.
More alternatively, since c3750s are not particularly exotic or expensive, look at buying some from a cisco reseller or used network equipment vendor within the US and have them shipped directly to 1 Wilshire. The switches you have in the Philippines could be used for something else.
Note I am not a lawyer, this e-mail contains forward-looking statements, contents may have settled in transit, etc.
Joe
