Shipping furniture by sea from Beijing to Chicago, USA

Service Route: Beijing to Chicago;
Service Mode: One-stop door-to-door moving service;
Case Overview: Ms. Xu commissioned Seapoe Relo to ship furniture and personal belongings from her Beijing home to Chicago, USA.

Chicago is the third-largest city in the United States, located in the heart of the North American continent and known as the "Heart of America." It is a world-renowned financial center, futures center, and commodities trading center, and has been rated as the most balanced economy in the United States. Chicago is home to many of the world's most famous skyscrapers, earning it the title "Birthplace of the Skyscraper." Chicago is also a city rich in history and charm. In recent years, with its sustained economic development, strong educational atmosphere, and pleasant climate, more and more Chinese people have begun to immigrate and settle in Chicago.

Ms. Xu from Beijing once went to Chicago as an exchange student during her university years, and has been deeply in love with the city ever since. Now that she has just received her domestic diploma, she has chosen to continue her studies at a university in Chicago.
Not long ago, she received an offer to study in Chicago and had already rented a place in the US in advance. However, most rental properties there come unfurnished. A Chinese senior schoolmate told Ms. Xu that shipping furniture from China by sea could save a considerable amount of money compared to buying directly in the US! To cut costs and better enjoy local life, Ms. Xu took her schoolmate's advice and shipped furniture directly from China to the US by sea. After comparing multiple options, Ms. Xu chose Seapoe Relo. After signing the shipping contract, Ms. Xu booked the door-to-door packing service. Here is the on-site pickup and packing scene from that day:

Tax-free Entry Policy for Personal Belongings When Moving to the US:
(1) The US government stipulates that new immigrants or citizens residing overseas may bring (or bring back) personal items they have owned and used at their place of residence for 12 months or more into the US duty-free.
(2) US Customs regulations require that brand-new items or items used for less than 12 months must be truthfully declared on the Personal Baggage Entry Declaration Form (Form 3299); after declaration, customs will levy duties based on the type and value of the items.
(3) Due to anti-terrorism requirements, all items entering the US must be declared to the US Customs AMS system 48 hours before the vessel departs, and ISF must be declared 24 hours before vessel departure. Delayed declaration may result in fines of up to USD 5,000.
(4) The consignee does not need to be physically present for the entry of personal belongings into the US, but customs clearance requires a copy of the consignee's passport photo page, a copy of the visa, a customs clearance authorization letter, Form 3299, a packing list, and the ocean bill of lading.
(5) Daily necessities such as clothing, kitchenware, tableware, carpets, books, and other personal items for one's own use may be brought into the US duty-free.
(6) Furniture, home furnishings, appliances, pianos, safes, photographic equipment, etc. may also be brought into the US duty-free, but they must be for personal use, must not be for commercial purposes abroad, and must have been used in China for one year or more.

Eligible Statuses for Tax-free Moving to the US:
(1) US citizens who have lived in China for one year or more
(2) US student visa holders can arrange tax-free personal belongings moving
(3) The US K1 visa is a type of immigrant visa; holders cannot leave the US after a single entry until the green card is issued, and can arrange tax-free moving.
(4) US green card holders or holders of a work visa valid for one year or more
(5) Visitor or tourist visa holders may also apply for tax-free entry of personal belongings under reasonable circumstances
The above is for reference only and may change in accordance with US tax and immigration laws. For details, please contact Seapoe Relo.