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I am currently in China travelling to the U.S. in a few months and I need to ship my belongings and items I bought during the trip to myself because I don't want to take them to my next destination before arriving to the U.S.

How would customs work in that case when they get the package?

Is there any problem if I am not a U.S. citizen since I will be shipping my belongings including new stuff?

JordanBelf
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2 Answers2

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Full service hotels will often accept packages, with some caveats:

  • The more expensive and exclusive the hotel, the more likely they'll accept and hold packages for customers.
  • The better customer you are to the hotel, the more likely they'll accept and hold it for you
  • Boutique and single-proprieter hotels are more likely to do this than chains
  • You should phone ahead of course
  • The package should arrive within a short time before the customer plans to check in
  • There shouldn't be any custom fees (they should be prepaid)
RoboKaren
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When you ship the package, you will fill out a customs form at whichever service you ship with (post office or courier). When the package arrives in the USA, the customs processor (the post office and most couriers like FedEx DHL have their own custom brokers) in conjunction with CBP will determine if duty is applicable. If so, then they will collect that duty upon delivery of the parcel.

Your nationality only effects the amount of duty that maybe applicable, due to different duty free allowances.

If there is duty owed, then the hotel will likely not accept the package on your behalf. The local post office or courier may hold the package for a few days to allow you time to come claim it, but not indefinitely. You would want to mark the package clearly "Hold for name arriving on date" so they have an approximate pick up date.