ANCHOR LEAD IN:
THE HOLIDAYS ARE HERE AND THAT MEANS MILLIONS OF US WILL BE PACKING OUR BAGS AND HEADING OUT OF TOWN. BUT IF THAT OUT OF TOWN VISIT MEANS LEAVING THE COUNTRY, YOU'LL WANT THIS "HEAD'S UP" ON A TRAVEL TIP - FEW PEOPLE ARE AWARE OF.

TRACK ONE Length: :04
LESLEY MATHEWS LEARNED THE HARD WAY ABOUT PACKING LIGHT WHEN GOING ABROAD.

SOT
Key @ : :06 Name: Lesley Mathews, Frequent Traveler
"The very first time I went to Europe, I packed too much. Five suitcases - no! Never again!"

TRACK TWO Length: :04
BUT IT'S NOT ALWAYS EASY TO LIMIT HER DAUGHTER ALYSSA FROM WANTING THE COMFORTS OF HOME.

SOT
Key @ : :18 (SHORT!)Name: Alyssa Mathews, Daughter
"Camera, cell phone, walkman, CDs, MP3, player, a portable DVD player."

TRACK THREE Length: :08
TAKING ELECTRONIC ITEMS OVERSEAS IS COMMON. BUT WHAT MANY DON'T KNOW IS TAKING THEM BACK INTO THE US CAN COST YOU...IF YOU'RE NOT PREPARED.

Nats
Length: :01
(Nats)

TRACK FOUR Length: :14
FOR INSTANCE...I-PODS, VIDEO CAMERAS, CELL PHONES...
IF YOU CAN'T PROVE TO CUSTOMS THAT YOU ALREADY OWNED THEM...BEFORE YOU LEFT, THEY MAY ASSUME YOU BOUGHT IT ON YOUR TRIP...AND COULD CHARGE YOU DUTY ON IT.
BUT NOW THERE'S A WAY TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM GETTING WRONGFULLY CHARGED.

SOT
Key @ : :45 Name Mike Balero, Supervisory Customs and Border Protection Officer
"What you can do is you can pre-register certain items that have unique markings or have a serial number - like laptops, cameras, stuff like that that are made in a foreign country."

TRACK FIVE Length: :04
ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS STOP BY YOUR LOCAL CUSTOMS OFFICE AND FILL OUT THIS SIMPLE FORM.

SOT
Key @ : :59 Name: Mike Balero, Supervisory Customs and Border Protection Officer
"You need to bring the item with you that you are declaring so we make sure that you have the correct item when you come back."

TRACK SIX Length: :10
GRAPHIC
* Declare all merchandise
* Keep all sales receipts
* Watch for counterfeits
OTHER TIPS WHEN HEADING BACK HOME?

* DECLARE ALL MERCHANDISE WHETHER BOUGHT OR GIVEN, AS A GIFT.
* KEEP YOUR SALES SLIPS IF YOU CAN.
* AND WATCH OUT FOR COUNTERFEIT MERCHANDISE.

SOT
Key @ : 1:15 Name Mike Balero, Supervisory Customs and Border Protection Officer
"We see a lot of problems with counterfeit items that are being sold and those could be dangerous goods. Especially toys. If it's a cheap price on a toy or something overseas, it's not going to have the same strict standards that the United States has."

TRACK SEVEN Length: :05
AS FOR LESLEY AND ALLYSA - THEY'RE HOME FOR NOW. BUT THEY SAY, THEY'RE ITCHING FOR THAT NEXT TRIP.

SOT
Key @ : 1:38 Name: Lesley Mathews, Frequent Traveler
"I have never heard that I should have to pre-register and I will have to check from now on on my next international trip."

ANCHOR TAG:
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON PRE-REGISTERING YOUR ITEMS BEFORE YOU GO OVERSEAS, YOU CAN GO TO THE US CUSTOMS WEBSITE AT WWW.CUSTOMS.GOV AND CLICK ON TRAVEL.

SOURCE INFO

Expert: Mike Balero
Supervisory Customs and Borders Protection Officer

Contact through:

Kelly R. Klundt
Public Affairs Specialist
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Department of Homeland Security
Main: 202-344-1780 Direct: 202-344-1573
kelly.klundt@dhs.gov

New York, NY- Today, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) launched the "Know Before You Go, Know Before You Buy" campaign aimed at preparing United States travelers and International visitors for the holiday travel season. Camille Polimeni, CBP Area Director, launched a traveler awareness campaign to kick-off the holiday travel season. She was joined by NYC Department of Consumer Affairs Acting Commissioner Jonathan Mintz who shared holiday shopping tips for consumers.
"Americans traveling abroad this holiday season can make their trips a lot easier by taking just a few extra minutes to 'Know Before You Go,'" said CBP Area Director Polimeni. "CBP's mission is to facilitate legitimate travel by preventing terrorists and their weapons, as well as other illegal items, from gaining entry to the United States. Educated travelers are our best allies in this cause."
During the holiday travel season, U.S. citizens are reminded to make sure that all their travel documents are in order, and that they know the rules for bringing back items from their trip before they leave the country. "CBP is here to process your re-entry to the country quickly and efficiently," said CBP Area Director Camille Polimeni. "Being aware of the rules can help avoid unnecessary lines and delays."
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/press_releases/12072005_3.xml