Rangoon Travel Forum

I am planning a trip to Burma later this year (hopefully the recent situation will improve over the next months). I plan to purchase some souvenirs and gifts in Burma to take back to the US with me but I am hearing that no Burmese-made goods are allowed into the US by CBP. Does anyone have any recent experience they can relay to me or tips on bringing Burmese goods into the States. I would certainly appreciate any feedback. Thanks.

ptharri
Gainesville, VA

(((you said--> I am planning a trip to Burma later this year (hopefully the recent situation will improve over the next months).))))

Sorry to pick, but that just sounds selfish on your part.

Anyway, if you are traveling to Burma from the US, you will be transiting through a third country, like Thailand. Unless you're bringing something really large, unusual or illegal, I don't see what the concern about CBP is about.

Most of the things many people buy in Khao San rd and think are Thai are actaully Burmese anyway.... So just say you've bought it in Bangkok or Chiang Mia (same thing there..).

I'm not much of a souvenir buyer, or a shopper of any sort, but I visit Myanmar often, and after the troubles last September and the resultant dropoff in tourist, I now try and buy as many souvenirs and products that I can. I just want to try and help local merchants and vendors as much as I can, even if I don't really need the stuff. Business is bad (and will no doubt be even worse after this cyclone), and the locals need your support.
All that aside, I've heard about this US law, but have no idea how strictly it's enforced. I live in Thailand, so have never had to deal with US customs on this issue. I had an American friend visit Myanmar with me last year and he bought a bunch of things (including some large wood products) and had them shipped back to California. He had no problems, but I think he also had the stuff listed as "bought in Thailand" just to be safe.

My own experience a couple of years ago was that I listed on my customs declaration that I had 'souvenirs' values at US$xxx. There was absolutely no question about them.

Now, if you're talking about importing large wooden furnitures and the like, I don't know.

When I went to Burma in Nov 07, I too was concerned about this customs regulation. Like bandong states in earlier post, I am not much of souvenir shopper, and did not really intend to bring anything back. But when I got over there I found myself buying small things from vendors because I wanted to help. Unfortunately, I had not bugeted for souvenirs and could not help as many people as I would have liked to. Please include money in your budget for souvenirs to help the locals. When I returned to US in SFO the immigration officer did not even appear to notice that I had been to Burma. No questions asked, no inspection. The next trip I will take money to buy small items from individual sellers (often poor children).

The next trip I will take money to buy small items from individual sellers (often poor children).

Please please please, don't give money to kids or even buy goods from them. Many kids are used and abused as beggars or small sellers. They should be in school. Buy the goods from adults so that they can provide for their families and send their kids to school.

Migue's post immediately above this one is very good. Children are often used as pawns to sell trinkets or beg for money. Almost always there is an adult nearby who is collecting those profits. The adult is not always even a parent or relative, but the children are almost always overworked and mistreated. The reason the children are used in this way is because we have that urge to buy from them, to 'help them'. But it's not a help.

or because they look so cute/act so worldwise etc... I see it all the time. And many people think they help. But they don't. In a few countries where i've visited kids were even sometimes hit so that they would cry and so they would get even more sympathy. Or baby's that are drugged and 'rented' from their mothers so that women get more money because people feel sorry for the baby. There are too many stories of child abuse of this kind.

Hi,

you may check out Art Only gallery in Yangon's Golden Valley: www.artfromburma.com
The owner has a large variety of things you might be interested in.
Also clearing customs and shipping belongs to his business.

Good luck, enjoy your stay.

Well 10 years ago in China I saw that stuff go on - but my comment is that throughout my time in Morocco theres an idea been established there in the poorer village areas of tourists/foreigners being a way of getting things - populations learning from a really young age how to beg or manipulate to get things - Ive had 2 year old children putting out their hands and verbally asking for lollies, money or pens - in french of course- but even at that age before even saying hello or any sort of human being interaction other than trying to get something from you - its sad to see that people who go travelling who with probably the best intentions end up setting these sort of precedences amongst an opening culture.

So your replies on how to help a people in need but as hand ups rather than handouts are much appreciated.

I mean even recently with trips to Morocco over the last few years.