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authorisation can be obtained by submitting an application online through the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov. ESTA 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 authorised. 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. An approved ESTA requires a fee payment of $14. Travellers may pay the fees directly through the ESTA website with major credit and debit cards. The fee is comprised of a $4 fee to recover the costs incurred by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for the continued operation and maintenance of the ESTA system and a $10 travel promotion fee established by the Travel Pormotion Act (TPA) of 2009.


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 anyone else, or for re-sale.


• Personal effects (e.g. wearing apparel; articles of personal adornment; toiletries; photographic equipment). • One litre of alcoholic beverages 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.


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.


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.


pin plugs are used. Dates are normally written starting with month,


eleCtriCitY dates


dates


followed by day and then year. For example, December 25 2010 is written in the US as 12. 25.10, not 25.12.10.


shoPPinG & taxes Please note that electrical


goods bought in the United States may not work correctly in the UK, even when used with a transformer. The United States uses the NTSC broadcast system which applies to items such as pre-recorded video tapes and video camcorders, etc, not the PAL system used in the UK. Please ensure that your equipment at home is compatible with such items. For prerecorded DVDs, the USA is in Region 1 whereas the UK is in Region 2. Again, check if your DVD equipment at home is compatible. With a few exceptions, it is not normally possible to claim back local and state taxes paid in the USA. Hotels in some destinations may charge an occupancy tax in addition to city, state and federal taxes on beds. Car rental companies may also do the same in some areas. Taxes on petrol, cigarettes and alcohol, however, are built into the final price.


insuranCe There is no agreement between the


US and the UK for medical or hospital care. There is no equivalent to the National Health Service and medical expenses are very high. Medical insurance is strongly urged, with the suggested coverage being a minimum of £1,000,000. Anyone renting a car is also urged to take out comprehensive insurance as litigation claims are extremely common and payments are high.


moneY All major credit cards are accepted throughout


the US. When hiring a car or booking into a hotel, an imprint of a credit card is usually taken in advance to cover extras. Travellers’ cheques in US dollars are recommended. If these are carried, they will be accepted as cash in most restaurants, hotels and shops. It is recommended to arrive in the US with about $100 in cash, including one dollar bills for tipping and paying taxis.


tiPPinG As at home, tipping is a common and


expected practice. Suggested tips are: 10 – 20 per cent of the bill for meals in restaurants and the same to taxi drivers. About $1 per bag or suitcase carried by bellboys or porters at hotels or airports is the norm. If going on an escorted tour, check beforehand whether tips are included. If not, the tour guide and others will expect a tip.


usa PuBliC holidaYs New Year’s DaY 2012:


MartiN Luther KiNg DaY: PresiDeNt’s DaY: MeMoriaL DaY:


iNDePeNDeNce DaY: Labor DaY:


coLuMbus DaY: VeteraN’s DaY:


thaNKsgiViNg DaY: christMas DaY:


New Year’s DaY (2014): 2012 January 1/2 2013 January 1


January 16 January 21 February 20 February 18 May 28 July 4


May 27 July 4


September 3 September 2 October 8


October 14


November 12 November 11 November 22 November 28 December 25 December 25 January 1


* U.S. Embassy in the UK: www.london.usembassy.gov; 5 Upper Grosvenor St, London W1A 2JB; Info line 09042 450 100 (£1.23 per minute from B.T. landlines, calls from mobiles and other network providers may vary); Recorded info line 0906 820 0290 (60p per min).


110/120 volts AC, 60 cycles. Flat, two-


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