This really is for the Bahamain people that are traveling during this Christmas season.

Help us get this information out to make sure you are not overcharged on your return. Also ensure that when you are filling out the declaration form at the airport, you use the same descriptions used on this form to get the proper rates, and most of all
1. DO NOT COMBINE DESCRIPTIONS. Avoid the use of easy words like "toiletries","food stuff","Hardware","household items", "groceries","Miscellaneous."
2. Manage your Exemptions, this is almost the end of the year and so make sure that you use any remaining exemptions as they will not be eligible for use in January 2011. Your personal exemption is $300/person, twice a year for all residents over the age of 12 years old. It is applicable only for personal goods and NOT COMMERCIAL GOODS. Insist that the exemption is taken from the items of the higher rates of duty, that is your right to chose which items are exempt.
3. The Customs Forms should be completed One Form Per Family, Per Household. This means as long as you are in the same immediate family, and live in the same household you can fill in one form. This means if you are traveling with your mother and you do not live in the same house you will have to complete two separate forms or if you are traveling with a friend and you r live in the same home, you will also have to complete separate forms.
4. If you want a copy of your invoices, you may Copy Your Invoices Prior to Coming to Customs. Take them to Kinko's or another company that copies in the USA. You may submit the copies to Customs once they are clear copies. The officer may ask to view the original for verification. You have a right to insist on keeping the originals, only if the copies are fully legible and has all of the relevant information on them. Please understand that, while customs will accommodate you in copying your invoices when we can, it slows down the processing time for the persons behind you in line.
Being prepared before your travel speeds up the process so stop into one of the Customs locations prior to your trip and complete your form before you arrive. Itemize all of your items and organize your invoices. Use as many forms as you need to complete a thorough declaration and staple them together if needs be.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving.