Entry Requirements
Citizens of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand need only a valid passport to enter Austria. No visa is required. Safeguard your passport in an inconspicuous, inaccessible place like a money belt. If you lose it, visit the nearest consulate of your native country as soon as possible for a replacement. It's always a good idea to have a photocopy of your passport to expedite replacement.
Customs
Visitors who live outside Austria in general are not liable to pay duty on personal articles brought into the country temporarily for their own use, depending on the purpose and circumstances of each trip. Customs officials have great leeway here. Likewise, travelers 17 years of age and older may carry up to 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, or 250 grams of tobacco; 1 liter of distilled liquor; and 2 liters of wine or 3 liters of beer duty-free. Gifts not exceeding a value of 175€ ($228) are also exempt from duty.
Returning U.S. citizens who have been away for 48 hours or more are allowed to bring back, once every 30 days, $800 worth of merchandise duty-free. You'll be charged a flat rate of 10% duty on the next $1,000 worth of purchases. Be sure to have your receipts handy. On gifts, the duty-free limit is $200. For more specific guidance, contact the Customs & Border Protection (CBP), 1300 Pennsylvania Ave., Washington, DC 20229 (tel. 877/287-8667; www.cbp.gov), and request the free pamphlet "Know Before You Go." For a clear summary of Canadian rules, request the book I Declare from Canada Border Services Agency, 1730 St. Laurent Blvd., Ottawa, K1G 4KE (tel. 800/461-9999 in Canada, or 204/983-3500; www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca). If you're a citizen of the United Kingdom, contact HM's Customs and Excise Office, National Advise Service, Dorset House, Stamford Street, London SE1 9PY (tel. 0845/010-9000; www.hmce.gov.uk). Australian citizens should contact the Australian Customs Service, GPO Box 8, Sydney NSW 2001 (tel. 1300/363263 in Australia; www.customs.gov.au). New Zealanders should contact New Zealand Customs Service, 17-21 Whitmore St., Box 2218, Wellington (tel. 04/473-6099; www.customs.govt.nz).
