International Shipping & US Customs Guide
A guide to container shipping to the Bay Area, US Customs duty exemptions (CBP Form 3299), and CDC/USDA pet import rules.
Table of contents
Relocating internationally to San Francisco requires coordinating ocean or air freight into Bay Area ports, declaring household goods through US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and complying with strict federal agricultural and pet import mandates.
Shipping Modes: FCL vs LCL vs Air Freight
| Transport Mode | Transit Time | Baseline Cost Range | Best For | Customs Clearance Complexity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Container Load (FCL 20ft / 40ft) | 30 – 60 Days (Sea Freight) | $6,000 – $12,000 | 2–4 Bedroom household furniture | High (Requires dedicated customs broker & drayage) |
| Less than Container Load (LCL Shared) | 45 – 75 Days (Sea Freight) | $2,500 – $5,000 | Partial furniture (100–300 cu ft) | Moderate (Consolidated container customs delays) |
| Air Freight (Express Cargo) | 5 – 10 Days | $1,500 – $4,000 | Essential personal effects (boxes only) | Low / Fast (Cleared at SFO cargo terminal) |
| International Relocation Specialist | 30 – 60 Days | $8,000 – $18,000 | Full white-glove packing & door-to-door delivery | Minimal (Managed entirely by freight forwarder) |
1. US Customs Clearance & Duty Exemption (CBP Form 3299)
Personal household effects entering the United States are eligible for duty-free entry provided they meet federal ownership duration requirements.
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CBP Form 3299 Duty-Free Exemption
Household effects and personal items owned and used abroad for at least 1 full year enter the United States duty-free under Harmonized Tariff Schedule Code 9804.00.05. You must complete CBP Form 3299 (Declaration for Free Entry of Unaccompanied Articles) and submit it alongside your ocean bill of lading or airway bill.
Required Customs Documentation
- Completed CBP Form 3299: Executed and signed by the owner of the goods.
- Supplemental Declaration for Unaccompanied Articles: Details visa status and US address.
- Itemized Inventory / Packing List: Clear list of all box contents in English with values. Avoid generic descriptions like "miscellaneous items" or "stuff" which trigger CBP physical inspections.
- Passport Copy & US Visa: Unexpired passport bio page and valid US entry visa stamp (or I-94 arrival record if already landed).
- Customs Brokerage Fee: Expect $150 – $350 for customs broker filing services.
2. Restricted & Prohibited Import Items
US Customs and Border Protection and the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) strictly monitor imports at ports of entry including SFO and the Port of Oakland.
- Prohibited Food Items: Fresh meat, dried meat (cured sausages, beef jerky), fresh fruits, vegetables, seeds, milk products, and unsealed home-cooked food are prohibited. Contaminated items are confiscated and subject to fines up to $10,000.
- Wooden Packing Materials (ISPM 15): All solid wood packaging (crates, pallets, dunnage) must be treated and stamped with the ISPM 15 international mark indicating heat treatment or methyl bromide fumigation. Non-compliant crates are turned away or destroyed at importer expense.
- Alcohol & Tobacco: Subject to strict federal duties and California State Board of Equalization import taxes. Personal cellars above standard allowances require specialized permits.
3. Importing Household Pets (Dogs & Cats)
Bringing pets into California involves strict regulation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
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Strict CDC Dog Import Regulations
Under CDC rules (updated August 2024), all dogs entering the US must be at least 6 months old, microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785 compliant 15-digit microchip prior to any rabies vaccinations, accompanied by a valid CDC Dog Import Form receipt, and possess an official veterinary rabies certificate. Dogs arriving from high-risk rabies countries face additional titer testing and designated port requirements.
- Cats: CDC does not require a rabies vaccination certificate for cats for entry into the US, though California state guidelines and airlines strongly recommend valid rabies vaccination proof and a health certificate issued within 10 days of travel.
- Pet Relocation Expenses: Flight cargo/cabin pet fees, USDA/CDC veterinary documentation, and endorsed health certificates range from $800 – $2,500 per animal.
4. Customs Brokerage, Drayage & SF Delivery Logistics
Shipping containers arrive in the Bay Area via the Port of Oakland. Transforming an ocean shipment into a doorstep delivery in San Francisco involves specific local logistical challenges.
- Drayage & Port Demurrage: Ocean carriers allow 3–5 free days at the port terminal once unloaded. Port congestion or customs hold delays incur demurrage fees ranging from $150 – $300 per container per day. Ensure your customs broker files CBP Form 3299 at least 5 days before vessel arrival.
- SF Street Access Restrictions: Standard 40ft container chassis trailers cannot navigate narrow San Francisco residential streets or steep hills (e.g., Telegraph Hill, Nob Hill, Pacific Heights). Freight forwarders must transfer goods at an East Bay warehouse into smaller 16ft–26ft straight trucks for final street delivery.
Relocation Shipping Checklist
- Verify that all household items declared on CBP Form 3299 have been owned and used for at least 12 months.
- Ensure all wooden packing crates carry official ISPM 15 stamps to prevent port rejections.
- Obtain 15-digit ISO microchip installation and rabies certificates for dogs prior to travel.
- Submit the online CDC Dog Import Form at least 2 to 10 days prior to departure.
- Hire a licensed US customs broker to process CBP Form 3299 5 days prior to port arrival.
- Confirm your freight forwarder provides shuttle truck transfers for final delivery into San Francisco neighborhoods.
- Review Temporary Housing in SF while waiting for ocean container clearance.
- Review Move-In Landing Budget to calculate total relocation expenses.
- Check Importing / Registering a Vehicle if shipping an international automobile to California.