Laws Abroad

Learn about laws abroad, crimes people commit abroad that the United States can prosecute, and what items you can bring through customs.

U.S. citizens must follow local laws abroad

If you break laws in another country – even by mistake – you could be deported, fined, or imprisoned. You may also be prosecuted in the United States for some crimes committed abroad regardless of foreign local law.

Know the local laws

Laws abroad are different from the laws in the United States. We highlight specific local laws for U.S. travelers in the Local Laws and Customs section of Travel Guidance on our destination pages.

Review the laws for any place you are traveling to, even if you are only changing planes in that location.

If you have questions on specific laws, contact that country’s embassy or consulate in the United States before your trip.

Crimes against minors abroad

You may be prosecuted in the United States for crimes committed against minors abroad regardless of foreign local law.

U.S. law indicates that it is a crime when a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident has sex with someone under the age of 18 in a foreign country. This crime can be prosecuted in the United States.

Under the Protection of Children from Sexual Predators Act of 1998, it is illegal to use mail or any communication to encourage someone under the age of 16 to commit a sexual crime. An example of such a crime is making child pornography.

These crimes can be prosecuted in the United States.

Visit the U.S. Department of Justice's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section. They provide more information on federal laws about crimes against minors abroad.

If you want to report a crime against a minor, contact the FBI or use the numbers provided by the DOJ.

Customs and import laws

Items you cannot bring into other countries

When you travel abroad, there are laws about what you can bring into each country. These laws may include limits on food, pets, money, and medications. Even some over-the-counter medications are illegal in some countries.

Before you travel, review the Travel Guidance for your destination. If you are unsure about a specific item, contact that country’s embassy or consulate in the United States before your trip.

Items you cannot take out of other countries

Some countries have laws about what you can take out when you leave. Items you may not be allowed to take out include:

Money
Gold and other precious metals
Precious and semi-precious stones
Electronic equipment not declared when you arrived
Firearms and ammunition
Antiques
Animal skins
Religious artifacts and books
Ivory and other wildlife parts and products

You might need special permission to take these items out of the country. Getting this permission can take time. If you break foreign customs laws, you may be detained at the airport, fined, and have your items taken away. In some cases, you could even be arrested and sent to prison.

Items you cannot bring into the United States

There are rules about what you can bring into the United States too. Some items are not allowed at all, and some are only allowed under certain conditions.

Review resources available from U.S. government agencies:

Know Before You Go (source: Customs and Border Protection, CBP)
List of Prohibited and Restricted Items (source: CBP)
Declaration of Agricultural Items on Entry (source: CBP video)
Movement of wildlife and wildlife products (source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
Bringing dogs into the United States (source: CDC)