CBP
U.S. Customs and Border Protection was created in 2003 by combining the U.S. Customs Service, Immigration Inspection Service, Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service, and the U.S. Border Patrol into one border agency.

DHS
Department of Homeland Security is the parent agency of CBP and also was created in 2003, after the 9/11 attacks on the United States.

Dutiable
Items on which duty may have to be paid. Most items have specific duty rates, which are determined by a number of factors, including where you got the item, where it was made, and what it is made of.

Duty-free
This is merchandise you may bring back to the United States without having to pay duty.

Duty-free exemption
See Personal exemption.

Flat duty rate
When determining the duty of the items a traveler brings with them upon their return to the U.S.: after the personal exemption of $200, $800 or $1,600; the next $1000 of merchandise will be charged a flat rate of duty of 1.5 percent or 3 percent.

GSP
The Generalized System of Preferences is a trade program that gives duty preferences – that is a free rate of duty – for certain goods in certain developing countries.

Joint declaration
Family members who live in the same home and return together to the United States may combine their personal exemptions instead of each family member filing an individual declaration.

Personal exemption
The total value of merchandise you may bring back to the United States without having to pay duty.

Prohibited items
Items that are not allowed into the United States under any circumstances.

Restricted items
Items that are allowed into the United States but have a condition for importation. They may be limited in number or may need a license to bring into the United States.

Visa Waiver Program
The Visa Waiver Program enables nationals of certain countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa.