GENERAL TOURIST INFORMATION
VISIT USA ASSOCIATION
Advance Travel Authorisation -
ESTA - Effective 12 January 2009, Visa Waiver Program (VWP) travellers are required to obtain an advance travel authorisation prior to boarding a carrier to travel by air or sea to the U.S. This travel authorisation can be obtained by submitting an application online through the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) at
https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel, although it is recommended that applications be submitted no less than 72 hours in advance of travel. Within seconds in most cases, the traveller will receive one of the following responses: 1. Authorisation Approved: Travel authorized. 2. Travel Not Authorised: Traveller must obtain a non-immigrant visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate before travelling to the U.S. 3. Authorisation Pending: Traveller will need to check the ESTA web site for updates within 72 hours to receive a final response. An approved travel authorisation made via ESTA is: • Required for all VWP travellers prior to boarding a carrier to travel by air or sea to the U.S. • Valid, unless revoked, for up to two years or until the traveller’s passport expires, whichever comes first; • Valid for multiple entries into the U.S. • Not a guarantee of admissibility to the U.S. at a port of entry. Note that ESTA approval only authorises a traveller to board a carrier for travel to the U.S. under the VWP (For additional information, please visit ”For International Visitors” at www. cbp. gov/travel). ESTA is designed to enhance the security of the VWP and enable the U.S. to maintain and expand programme participation. As of 8 September 2010, there is a $4 processing charge for each application and a $10 authorization charge for each approved application.
CUSTOMS U.S. Customs Regulations:
Personal Exemptions: The following items may be brought in free of duty and internal revenue tax provided they are for personal use only, and not for
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anyone else, or for re-sale. • Personal effects (e.g. wearing apparel; articles of personal adornment; toiletries; photographic equipment). • One litre of alcoholic beverages (e.g. wine, beer or liquor) if you are an adult non-resident over 21 years of age. Also, alcoholic beverages may only be carried on flights if purchased in the duty-free area. • 200 cigarettes, or 100 cigars, or three pounds of smoking tobacco, or proportionate amounts of each. • Vehicles (e.g. automobiles, trailers, airplanes, motorcycles, boats) for personal use if imported in connection with your arrival.
Currency Regulations: There is no
set limit on the amount of money (U.S. or foreign currency), travellers cheques or money orders, that you may bring in, or take out of the United States. However, a report must be filed with U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the time you arrive or depart if you possess an amount that exceeds $10,000 or the equivalent in foreign currency. A form for this purpose will be provided at port of entry. Gift Exemption: A non-resident may claim, as free of duty and internal revenue tax, articles up to $100 in value as long as these gifts are intended for other people. You also have to remain in the United States for at least 72 hours, and the gifts must be with you at all times. This $100 gift exemption, or any part of it, can be claimed only once every six months. You may include 100 cigars within the gift exemption. Articles should not be gift wrapped, as they must be available for inspection. If you are not entitled to the $100 gift exemption, you may bring in, free of duty, articles up to $25 in value for either personal or household use. Neither the $100 gift exemption nor the $25 exemption may be grouped together for members of a family. It should be noted that a limit is imposed by some U.S. states on the amount of alcohol that can be taken in. Customs cannot release alcoholic beverages above the limit as laid down by the state in which you arrive.
Associate Membership -This is
Visit USA is an association of over 200 companies - from the largest multi- nationals to the very focused specialists - with a direct involvement and interest in UK-USA travel. A full listing can be found on the Visit USA website (www.
visitusa.org.uk). Whether a supplier or seller, all
members have a very real interest in stimulating awareness and creating growth for travel to the USA – a market that, with some 4½ million visitors spending £13 billion annually, is by far the UK’s biggest long haul travel destination. It is also the largest overseas international origin market for travel to the USA. Visit USA continues to grow because
it has a track record of delivering against its very focused, twin objectives: • To stimulate awareness and build the UK-USA travel market • To maximise and add value to the benefits of membership These objectives are achieved
through a range of meaningful benefits and targeted marketing activities that deliver impact & efficiency, the savings from which can easily offset the low cost of an annual subscription.
HOW TO JOIN the Visit USA Association
Becoming a Visit USA Member
If your organisation is involved in the UK to USA travel market, then joining Visit USA is a must - and very simple. There are three categories of membership:-
Full Membership - Applicable for
all UK-USA travel organisations with offices or representation in the UK. Full members have full voting rights in Association matters as well as benefiting from all Visit USA events, activities and marketing. You will find a current membership listing on the Visit USA website.
www.visitusa.org.uk Annual Subscriptions - Full
Membership is £400, Associate & Affiliate Membership is £200. Do not send payment until your application has been approved and an invoice issued. Payments can be made by cheque, transfer or individual or company credit card.
The Visit USA Association
(UK) Ltd. US Embassy 24 Grosvenor Square, London W1A 1AE T: 020 7495 4814, F: 020 7495 4851 E:
vusa@visitusa.org.uk W:
www.visitusa.org.uk
open to those overseas-based organisations which do not have UK GSA or representation. This membership allows access to all Visit USA marketing activities and meetings but without full membership benefits, board representation or voting rights.
Affiliate Membership -This is
available for Full members that have wholly-owned subsidiaries or brands and want to ensure that they are fully represented in and benefit from all Visit USA activities, events & marketing.
Travel Agent Partners - Free for
travel agents, this programme offers a number of benefits including being listed (alphabetically by town or city and county) on the VUSA website, e-bulletin updates on new USA travel products and services, window stickers and certificates. Partners will also be given fast track status for any Visit USA- organised FAM trips. See ‘How to Become a Visit USA Travel Partner’ at
www.visitusa.org.uk
Application Form - This is available
on
www.visitusa.org.uk. Click on ‘Members’ then ‘Becoming a Member’ and go to the attachment at the bottom of the page and print. Complete and return this via e-mail or by post to the address below. Two sponsors are needed but please contact us if you do not know any members.
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