CBP Form 6059B: Customs Declaration Form Guide & Download

CBP Form 6059B: Customs Declaration Form Guide & Download – If you’re traveling to the United States—whether as a U.S. resident returning home or an international visitor—completing CBP Form 6059B, the official Customs Declaration Form, is a required step for clearing U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). This form helps CBP officers protect the country from prohibited items, agricultural pests, and illegal imports while ensuring travelers comply with duty and declaration rules.

Accurate completion of Form 6059B speeds up your arrival process and helps you avoid penalties, seizures, or delays at the port of entry.

What Is CBP Form 6059B?

CBP Form 6059B is the standardized U.S. Customs Declaration used by all arriving travelers (or one responsible family member for the household). It collects basic personal information and details about items you’re bringing into the United States, including:

  • Personal details and travel information
  • Whether you’ve been on a farm or near livestock
  • Declarations for agricultural products, wildlife items, currency, and merchandise

One form per family unit is usually sufficient if traveling together. The current fillable English version (dated 7/24) allows you to type your responses before printing.

Note: While many travelers still receive paper forms on flights or at ports of entry, the fillable PDF lets you prepare in advance.

Who Must Complete CBP Form 6059B?

  • U.S. residents (citizens and permanent residents) returning from abroad
  • Non-residents/visitors entering the United States for tourism, business, or other purposes
  • Every arriving traveler (or one per immediate family)

Even if you have nothing to declare, you must still submit the form truthfully.

Key Information on the Form (How to Fill It Out)

The front side collects your details:

  1. Family (Last) Name and First (Given) Name — Print exactly as on your passport.
  2. Birth Date — Use MM/DD/YY format.
  3. Number of Family Members Traveling with You — Include immediate family on one form.
  4. U.S. Address — Residents: your home address. Visitors: hotel or destination address (street, city, state).
  5. Passport Number and Country of Issuance.
  6. Airline/Flight Number or vessel details.
  7. Countries Visited — List all countries you visited before arriving in the U.S. (focus on the trip that brought you here).

Yes/No Questions (Answer honestly):

  • Are you or anyone in your party carrying fruits, vegetables, plants, seeds, food, insects, animals, meats, or animal products?
  • Have you been on a farm or in contact with livestock?
  • Are you carrying currency or monetary instruments over $10,000 USD (per family)? If yes, you may also need FinCEN Form 105.
  • Are you bringing commercial merchandise, gifts, or items acquired abroad?
  • Any other declarations for restricted or prohibited items.

The back provides space to list and value any articles you must declare (in U.S. dollars). Gifts should reflect retail value. Continue on an additional form if needed. Sign and date the form to certify your declaration is truthful.

Tip: Be precise and use capital letters if handwriting. Type in the fillable PDF for clarity.

Duty-Free Exemptions and What to Declare

  • U.S. Residents: Normally entitled to a $800 duty-free exemption on accompanying personal items acquired abroad.
  • Visitors (Non-Residents): Typically a $100 exemption on items that will remain in the U.S.

Duty may apply on the next $1,000 above the exemption at current rates. CBP officers determine the final duty.

Always declare:

  • Items purchased or acquired abroad (clothes, electronics, souvenirs, gifts)
  • Agricultural products (even small amounts)
  • Any value of goods that will stay in the U.S.

Failure to declare properly can result in fines, seizure of items, or other penalties.

Restricted and Prohibited Items

CBP strictly enforces rules to protect U.S. agriculture, health, and safety:

  • Agricultural/Wildlife Products: Fruits, vegetables, plants, seeds, soil, meat, dairy, birds, live animals, and products are often restricted or prohibited. Undeclared items can carry pests or diseases and may be seized, with penalties applied.
  • Controlled substances, obscene materials, and certain toxic items are generally prohibited.
  • Intellectual Property: Importing counterfeit or pirated goods can lead to civil or criminal penalties and pose safety risks.

If in doubt, declare it—CBP officers or Agriculture Specialists can advise you on admissibility.

How to Get and Prepare CBP Form 6059B?

  1. Official Download: Get the latest fillable English PDF directly from U.S. Customs and Border Protection:
    CBP Form 6059B Customs Declaration – English (Fillable) (Updated July 2024).
  2. On Your Flight or Cruise: Flight attendants often distribute paper forms.
  3. At the Port of Entry: Available if arriving by land or sea.
  4. Other Languages: CBP offers versions in many languages (Spanish, Chinese, etc.) on the same forms page.

Pro Tip: Fill it out electronically before your trip, print it, and keep it with your passport. This can save time upon arrival.

What Happens After You Submit the Form?

At the port of entry, you’ll present your passport, completed Form 6059B, and any supporting documents to a CBP officer. You may be selected for secondary inspection (treated courteously). Officers may examine your baggage or ask additional questions.

Most travelers clear quickly if declarations are honest and complete. Global Entry or other trusted traveler programs can further expedite the process for eligible individuals.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Forgetting to declare small food items or souvenirs
  • Under-valuing gifts or purchases
  • Not listing all countries visited
  • Failing to declare currency over $10,000 (requires separate reporting)
  • Signing without reading the important information on the reverse side

Honesty is always the best policy—penalties for false declarations can be severe.

Additional Resources

Note on Provided Links: The links you shared point to Air Force e-publishing documents (physical.pdf and .epub). These appear unrelated to CBP Form 6059B and are not official customs forms. Always use the current versions from cbp.gov for accuracy.

Staying informed and preparing your CBP Form 6059B in advance makes your entry into the United States smoother and stress-free. Safe travels!

This article is for informational purposes only and is based on official U.S. Customs and Border Protection resources as of 2026. Rules can change—verify the latest details directly on cbp.gov before travel.