At Customs – Declaring Items
Welcome to Hello English! When you arrive in the US from abroad, you may need to go through customs—and that means declaring any food, gifts, or goods you’re bringing into the country. This lesson gives you a realistic conversation and essential vocabulary to help you answer customs officers clearly and confidently.
Watch this short, realistic conversation between a traveler and a US Customs and Border Protection officer. Perfect for listening practice!
Customs Conversation
Characters:
• Maria – the traveler
• Officer Hayes – the customs officer
Officer Hayes: Passport and customs form, please.
Maria: Here you go.
Officer Hayes: Did you bring any food or plants?
Maria: Yes, some chocolate and dried fruit.
Officer Hayes: Where was it made?
Maria: In Mexico—store-bought and sealed.
Officer Hayes: Any alcohol or tobacco?
Maria: One bottle of wine, under a liter.
Officer Hayes: Gifts for anyone in the US?
Maria: Yes, a scarf for my sister.
Officer Hayes: What’s the total value?
Maria: About $40.
Officer Hayes: Alright. Everything looks good.
Maria: Thank you!
Officer Hayes: Welcome to the United States.
💡 This dialogue is perfect for audio or video practice! It reflects a real US customs inspection—short, direct, and focused on common declaration items like food, gifts, and alcohol. Every line uses clear, slow-paced English that’s easy for beginners to understand and repeat.
Essential Customs Vocabulary
Learn these key terms to declare items correctly:
- Customs form – the paper or digital form listing what you’re bringing
- Declare – to officially report what you’re carrying
- Food or plants – often restricted or banned (e.g., fresh fruit, meat)
- Store-bought and sealed – commercially packaged (more likely allowed)
- Alcohol / Tobacco – allowed in limited amounts (e.g., 1 liter of wine)
- Gifts – items for others (must be declared if over $100 value)
- Total value – how much your items are worth in US dollars
Other Useful Phrases
- “I have nothing to declare.”
- “It’s a personal item, not a gift.”
- “Do I need to pay duty on this?”
- “All my items are for personal use.”
Practice Tip
Practice saying “Did you bring any food or plants?” and “Yes, some chocolate and dried fruit”—these are among the most common exchanges at US customs!
Why This Matters
Whether you’re:
• Returning from vacation with souvenirs
• Visiting family and bringing gifts
• Traveling for business with personal items
…knowing how to declare items honestly and clearly helps you avoid fines or delays.
Now you’re ready to go through US customs in English—calmly and correctly! Bookmark this guide, or try our interactive quiz to test your travel vocabulary.
Safe travels and welcome to the USA! 🧳
