What You Need to Know

Travel alerts and warnings are maintained by the U.S. Department of State and are a resource for international travelers to consider for safe travel overseas.

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Travel Alerts are issued to disseminate information about short-term conditions, either transnational or within a particular country, that pose significant risks to the security of U.S. citizens. Natural disasters, terrorist attacks, coups, anniversaries of terrorist events, election-related demonstrations or violence, and high-profile events such as international conferences or regional sports events are examples of conditions that might generate a Travel Alert.

Travel Warnings are issued when long-term, protracted conditions that make a country dangerous or unstable lead the State Department to recommend that Americans avoid or consider the risk of travel to that country. A Travel Warning is also issued when the U.S. Government's ability to assist American citizens is constrained due to the closure of an embassy or consulate or because of a drawdown of its staff.

Tips

As an international traveler you should be aware of the rules for bringing items back from your trip.  The U.S. Customs and Border Protection recommends you Know Before You Go with helpful links to international travel regulations, a travelers checklist, and advance information on what you must declare when you return to the U.S.

Once you check the overseas travel alerts at the U.S. Department of State, visit the CBP website for information about: