Page 61 - Soul of India: The Colorful South

• Phulkari, a stylized geometric embroidery, is popular in Amritsar and the Punjab region,
commonly found on scarves, shawls, and other types of clothing.

• 4Y /SL]LX^SLWL dZ`ɪWW ʭYO ?TMP_LY ^_dWP T_PX^ ^`NS L^ []LdP] ʮLR^ ^TYRTYR MZbW^ LYO
Buddhist icons.

Bargaining: Bargaining is the norm in India, where anything sold by a street vendor and
LWXZ^_ LYd_STYR TY L ^XLWWP] ^SZ[ SL^ L ʮPcTMWP []TNP 3ZbPaP] WL]RP] ^_Z]P^ bTWW SLaP
ʭcPO []TNP^

Sri Lanka

>]T 7LYVL T^ VYZbY QZ] _SPT] MPL`_TQ`W RPX^ M`_ _Z Pc[Z]_ _SPX dZ` bTWW YPPO L NP]_TʭNL_P
(typically provided by the shop).

United Arab Emirates
Shopping in Dubai mostly centers on international luxury brands, although spices, carpets,
and crafts items may be found at the older souks (open-air markets).

U.S. Customs Regulations & Shipping Charges

For all things related to U.S. Customs, the ultimate authority is the U.S. Bureau of Customs &
Border Protection. Their website, www.cbp.gov has the answers to the most frequently asked
questions. Or you can call them at 1-877-227-5511.

The top three points to know are:

• At time of writing, your personal duty-free allowance is $800 for items brought with
you. Items totaling more than $800 are subject to duty fees.

• Items shipped home are always subject to duty when received in the U.S. Even when
_SP ^SZ[ SL^ ZʬP]PO _Z TYNW`OP ^ST[[TYR LYO O`_TP^ TY _SP []TNP _ST^ _d[TNLWWd XPLY^
shipping to the nearest customs facility and payment of the export duties—not door-to-
door shipping or payment of the import duties. All additional duties or shipping charges
would be your responsibility. Unless an item is small enough to send by parcel service
(like FedEx), chances are you will need to arrange shipping or pick-up once the item is in
the U.S. and will need to pay customs duties.

• It is illegal to import products made from endangered animal species. U.S. Customs &
Border Protection will seize these items, as well as most furs, coral, tortoise shell, reptile
skins, feathers, plants, and items made from animal skins.

Sri Lanka: 4Q dZ` [`]NSL^P LYd RPX^ bSTWP TY >]T 7LYVL dZ` bTWW YPPO L NP]_TʭNL_P _Z Pc[Z]_
them (typically provided by the shop).

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