I. Going through customs

Customs clearance begins at the airport of final destination in the UK.

Customs operate a Green and Red Channel System. If you have nothing to declare, pass through the Green Channel. Go through the Green Channel only if you're sure that you have no more than the Customs Allowances, no goods for commercial use and no prohibited and restricted goods.

You will have to pay charges on any items which are over the limits. Do it at the red point or in the Red Channel before you leave the Customs hall.

II. Customs regulations

Before boarding the plane, you are requested to present a valid passport together with a customs declaration ensuring that you are not violating any of your country's laws. Thus it is important to know the existing regulations concerning the export of currency and goods (merchandise). Upon arrival in a foreign country, you will have your passport inspected by the immigration service. Occasionally you may have your luggage checked by a customs officer. This is done to prevent importation of goods which for various reasons (economic, health, security, etc.) appear undesirable to the country's administration.

That is why it is equally important to be aware of restrictions imposed on travelers entering a foreign country.

The US Customs Service supplies all people coming to the United States with details of currently existing regulations. They are to be found at the back of the customs declaration form:

1. WARNING

The smuggling or unlawful importation of controlled stances regardless of amount is a violation of U.S. law. Accuracy of your declaration may be verified through questioning and physical search.

1.2. Agricultural Products. To prevent the entry of dangerous agricultural pests the following are restricted: fruits, vegetables, plants, plant products, soil, meats, meat products, birds, snails, and other live animals or animal products. Failure to declare all such items to a Customs/Agriculture Officer can result in fines or other penalties.

1.3. Currency and Monetary Instruments. The transportation of currency or monetary instruments, regardless of amount, is legal; however, if you take out of or bring into (or are about to take out of or bring into) the United States more than $10,000 (U.S. or foreign equivalent, or a combination of the two) in coin, currency, travelers checks or bearer instruments such as money orders, checks, stocks or bonds, you are required by law to file a report with the U.S. Customs Service. If you have the currency or instruments carried for you by someone else, you must also file the report. Failure to file the required report or false statements on the report may lead to seizure of the currency or instruments and to civil penalties and/or criminal prosecution.

1.4. Merchandise. U.S. residents must declare the total value of all articles acquired abroad (whether new or used, whether dutiable or not, and whether obtained by purchase, as a gift, or otherwise), including those purchases made in duty free stores in the U.S. or abroad, which are in their or their family's possession at the time of arrival. Visitors must declare the total value of all gifts and commercial items, including samples they are bringing with them.

The amount of duty to be paid will be determined by a Customs officer. U.S. residents are normally entitled to a duty free exemption of $400 on those items accompanying them; nonresidents are normally entitled to an exemption of $100. Both residents and non-residents will normally be required to pay a flat 10% rate of duty on the first $1,000 above their exemptions.

III. YOUR DECLARATION

WELCOME TO THE UNITED STATES

CUSTOMS DECLARATION Each arriving traveler or head of family must provide information (only ONE declaration per family is required) 1. Name .................................................................................................................................. Last first middle 2. Date of Birth: .............................................3. Airline Flight ............................................. 4. Number of family members traveling with you..……………………………………... 5. US Address: .................................................... City: ............................................................... State: .............................................................. 6. I am a US citizen Tick boxes Yes No If no. Country: ........................................................................................................................ 7. I reside permanently in the US. Tick boxes Yes No If no. Expected length of stay................................................................................................ 8. The purpose of my trip is or was: Tick box Business Pleasure 9. I am/we are bringing fruits, plants, meats, food, soil, birds, snails, other live animals, farm products, or I/we have been on a farmer ranch outside the US Yes No 10. I am/we are carrying currency or monetary instruments over $ 10,000 US or foreign equivalent Yes No 11. The total value of goods I/we purchased or acquired abroad and am/are bringing to the US is ................................$_____________________________________________ MOST MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED.

SIGN ON REVERSE SIDE AFTER YOU HAVE READ THIS WARNING

(Don't write below this line)

Inspector's Name

Badge No.

You must declare all articles acquired abroad and in your possession at the time of your return. This includes: Articles that you purchased. Gifts presented to you while abroad, such as wedding or birthday presents.

Repairs or alterations made to any articles taken abroad and returned, whether or not repairs or alterations were free of charge.

Items you have been requested to bring home for another person. Any articles you intend to sell or use in your business.

In addition, you must declare any articles acquired the United States, Virgin Islands, American Samoa, or Guam and not companying you at the time of your return.

The price actually paid for each article must be stated on your declaration in United States currency or its equivalent in country of acquisition. If the article was not purchased, obtain an estimate of its fair retail value in the country in which it was acquired.

Note: The wearing or use of any article acquired abroad does not exempt it from duty. It must be declared at the price you paid for it. The customs officer will make an appropriate in its value for significant wear and use.

CUSTOMS DECLARATION

Before arriving in the US, each traveller (or head of family) is required to fill out a Customs Declaration Form.

• Please complete this form in English and in capital letters.

• Most of the questions on the Customs Declaration Form can be answered by writing "Yes" or "No".

• Please remember to sign your name at the bottom of the reverse side.

• This form will be distributed during the flight.

9. Составьте собственные диалоги по ситуациям, используя слова из текста:

1. An American is trying to cross the Russian border with non-valid passport

2. A Chinese has some forbidden goods into his carry-on luggage

3. A Russian has some golden coins, no documents on them and want to return home

4. A customs officer explains why any articles acquired in the United States must be declared.

10. Прочитайте текст и передайте его содержание на английском языке, используя слова, данные ниже:

Таможенные правила ввоза и вывоза

Предметы личного пользования таможенной пошлиной в США не облагаются, но продукты питания, особенно скоропортящиеся запрещены к ввозу в США. Американские таможенники не пропустят на свою территорию ни цветов, ни фруктов.

Разрешены к провозу: одним взрослым путешественником – 10 пачек сигарет или 50 сигар, или 2 кг табака; 1,1 л. спиртного; подарки общей стоимостью $100.

Если в багаже нет ничего, что может привлечь внимание таможенников, можно воспользоваться «зеленым коридором» – NOTHING TO DECLARE. Тем не менее, заполненную декларацию все равно придется сдать таможенным властям.

Ввозить в США наличными деньгами, дорожными чеками и расчетными карточками можно любые суммы. Декларировать требуется лишь суммы более $10,000. На борту самолета путешествующие вносят в формуляр сведения о своих персональных данных: цели его приезда, предполагаемое место жительства в США.

– Слова и выражения, которые можно использовать при рассказе текста:

Personal belongings; to fill in an arrival card (on board the plane); to be liable to duty vs to be duty free; dutiable articles; to come after customs restrictions; a duty-free quota list; to get through Green Channel; a prohibited articles list; customs regulations; to exceed the quota; to declare something.

11. Изучите таможенную декларацию; представьте, что вы въезжаете в Соединенные Штаты и заполните форму. Расспросите своего одногруппника о правильности заполнения декларации.

Тексты для дополнительного чтения.

12. Прочитайте следующие тексты: