A Safe Trip Abroad The U.S. Department of State offers the following tips for safe travel abroad: Dress conservatively. Thieves often target tourists, so avoid wearing anything that will make you stand out, and leave your expensive jewelry at home. Travel light. You will be able to move more quickly and will be more likely to have a free hand. Also, you will be less tired and less likely to set your luggage down and leave it unattended. Conceal your valuables. Leave your passport, cash, and credit cards locked in a hotel safe if possible. When you carry them on you, conceal them in several different places rather than all in one wallet, pocket, or bag. Avoid using handbags, fanny packs, and outside pockets that are easy targets for thieves. If you wear glasses, pack an extra pair. Pack your glasses and any medicines you need in your carry-on luggage. Keep medicines in their original labeled containers. This will help you to avoid problems when passing through customs. Bring copies of your prescriptions and the generic names for the drugs. If a medication contains narcotics, carry a letter from your doctor attesting to your need to take the drug. If you have any doubt about the legality of carrying a certain drug into a foreign country, consult the embassy or consulate of that country first. Bring travelers' checks and a major credit card instead of cash. Leave a copy of the serial numbers of your travelers' checks with a friend or relative at home. Carry your copy with you in a separate place, and as you cash the checks, cross them off the list. Bring an extra set of passport photos and a photocopy of your passport information page. This will make it easier to get a replacement if your passport is lost or stolen. Put your name, address, and telephone number inside each piece of luggage. Use covered luggage tags to avoid casual observation of your name, address, and nationality. Always lock your luggage. Consider getting a telephone calling card that can be used from overseas locations. Access numbers to U.S. operators are published in many international papers, but find out your access number before you go. Source:U.S. Dept. of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs. Web: http://travel.state.gov.

Current Travel Warnings for U.S. Citizens1 Travel warnings are issued when the State Department recommends that Americans avoid a certain country. The countries listed below are currently on that list. In addition to this list, the State Department issues Consular Information Sheets for every country of the world with information on such matters as the health conditions, crime, unusual currency or entry requirements, or any areas of instability. CountryMost recent warning issued Israel, the West Bank and Gaza 6/22/2011 Sudan 6/22/2011 Cote d'Ivoire 6/16/2011 Philippines 6/14/2011 Burundi 6/1/2011 Yemen 5/25/2011 Syria 4/25/2011 Uzbekistan 4/25/2011 Mexico 4/22/2011 Burkina Faso 4/19/2011 Nigeria 4/15/2011 Iraq 4/12/2011 Lebanon 4/4/2011 Algeria 3/16/2011 Mauritania 3/11/2011 Afghanistan 3/8/2011 Mali 3/2/2011 Eritrea 2/27/2011 Libya 2/25/2011 Pakistan 2/2/2011 Haiti 1/20/2011 Central African Republic 1/14/2011 Niger 1/12/2011 Nepal 1/12/2011 Kenya 12/28/2010 Somalia 12/27/2010 Saudi Arabia 12/23/2010 Colombia 12/8/2010 Guinea 12/3/2010 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 11/25/2010 Chad 11/10/2010 Iran 10/8/2010 Korea, Democratic People's Republic of 8/27/2010 NOTE: In the wake of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001, the State Department issued a worldwide caution for U.S. citizens traveling abroad. 1. As of July 2011. Source:U.S. Department of State. Web: http://travel.state.gov.

Vaccine Recommendations for International Travelers (Two Years of Age and Older) Source:Centers for Disease Control, July 10, 2000 ( http://www.cdc.gov) The following vaccines should be reviewed with a physician at least ten weeks before departure to ensure the proper scheduling of the various appropriate vaccines and dosages. Primary Vaccine Series.For travelers over two years of age the following immunizations normally given during childhood should be up to date: Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) Vaccine Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTP or DTaP) Vaccine until age 7, then Td Vaccine Polio (OPV) Vaccine Haemophilus Influenza B (HbCV) Vaccine Hepatitis B (HBV) Vaccine Varicella vaccine (for persons who have never had chickenpox) Children over two should be “on schedule” with each vaccine's primary-series schedule, while adults should have completed the primary series. If you are unsure about your vaccine history, consult with your physician. In addition, adult travelers may want to consider: Influenza (Flu) Vaccine—(Recommended for adults 65 years or older, or other high risk individuals) Pneumococcal Vaccine—(Recommended for adults 65 years or older, or other high risk individuals) Booster or Additional Doses: Tetanus and diphtheria: A booster dose of adult Tetanus-diphtheria (Td) is recommended every ten years. Polio: An additional single dose of vaccine should be received by adult travelers going to the developing countries of Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and the Indian Subcontinent, and the majority of the newly independent states of the former Soviet Union. This additional dose of polio vaccine should be received only once during the adult years. Enhanced Inactivated Polio Vaccine (eIPV) is recommended for this dose. Measles: Persons born in or after 1957 should consider a second dose of measles vaccine before traveling abroad. Additional Vaccines.Yellow fevervaccine is recommended if traveling to certain parts of Africa and South America.Hepatitis Bvaccine should be considered for those who will live six months or more in areas of developing countries where Hepatitis B is prevalent (Southeast Asia, Africa, the Middle East, the islands of the South and Western Pacific, and the Amazon region of South America), and who will have frequent close contact with the local population.Hepatitis AVaccine and/orImmune Globulin(IG) is recommended for travelers to all areasexceptJapan, Australia, New Zealand, Northern and Western Europe and North America (except Mexico).Typhoidvaccine is recommended for travelers spending four weeks or more in areas where food and water precautions are recommended—many parts of the world, especially developing countries.Meningococcalvaccine is recommended for travelers to sub-Saharan Africa, especially if close contact with the locals is anticipated, or if travel occurs during the dry season from December through June.Japanese EncephalitisorTick-borne Encephalitisvaccines should be considered for long-term travelers to geographic areas of risk.Choleravaccine is of questionable benefit to travelers of any age.

Customs Information United States residents must declare all articles acquired abroad and in their possession at the time of their return. In addition, articles acquired in the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, or Guam and not accompanying you must be declared at the time of your return. The wearing or use of an article acquired abroad doesnotexempt it from duty. Customs declaration forms are distributed on vessels and planes, and should be prepared in advance of arrival for presentation to the customs inspectors. If you have not exceeded the duty-free exemption allowed, you may make an oral declaration to the customs inspector. However, the inspector can request a written declaration and may do so. A written declaration is necessary when (1) the total fair retail value of articles exceeds the personal exemption of $400; (2) over 1 liter of liquor, 200 cigarettes, or 100 cigars are included; (3) items are not intended for your personal or household use, or articles brought home for another person; (4) when a customs duty or internal revenue tax is collectible on any article in your possession; and (5) if your personal exemption was used in the last 30 days. An exception to the above are regulations applicable to articles purchased in the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, or Guam where you may receive a customs exemption of $1,200. Not more than $400 of this exemption may be applied to merchandise obtained elsewhere than in these islands or $600 if acquired in a Caribbean Basin beneficiary country. Five liters of alcoholic beverages and 1000 cigarettes may be included provided not more than one liter and 200 cigarettes were acquired elsewhere than in these islands. Articles acquired in and sent from these islands to the United States may be claimed under your duty-free personal exemption if properly declared at the time of your return. For information on rules applying to beneficiary countries and a list of them check with your local Customs office or write for the pamphlet “GSP and the Traveler” from the U.S. Customs Services, P.O. Box 7407, Washington, DC 20044. Since rules change it is always wise to check with customs before leaving, to get information pertinent to the areas you will be visiting. Articles accompanying you, in excess of your personal exemption, up to $1000 will be assessed at a flat rate of duty of 10% based on fair retail value in country of acquisition. (If articles were acquired in the insular possessions, the flat rate of duty is 5% and these goods may accompany you or be shipped home.) These articles must be for your personal use or for use as gifts and not for sale. This provision may be used every 30 days, excluding the day of your last arrival. Any items which have a “free” duty rate will be excluded before duty is calculated. You may mail articles bought for your personal use back to the U.S. at a duty free rate of $200 per day (excluding restricted items such as liquor). Other exemptions include in part: automobiles, boats, planes, or other vehicles taken abroad for noncommercial use. Foreign-made personal articles (e.g., watches, cameras, etc.) taken abroad should be registered with Customs before departure. Customs will register anything with a serial number or identifying marks. Sales receipt or insurance document are sufficient Customs identification. Registration of articles for which you have documented proof of purchase is redundant and is not necessary. Gifts of not more than $100 can be shipped back to the United States tax and duty free ($200 if mailed from the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, or Guam). Household effects and tools of trade which you take out of the United States are duty free at time of return. Prohibited and restricted articles include in part: absinthe, narcotics and dangerous drugs, obscene articles and publications, seditious and treasonable materials, hazardous articles (e.g., fireworks, dangerous toys, toxic and poisonous substances, and switchblade knives), biological materials of public health or veterinary importance, fruit, vegetables and plants, meats, poultry and products thereof, birds, monkeys, and turtles. You can get additional information on this subject from the publicationPets, Wildlife, U.S. Customs.For a free copy write to the U.S. Customs Service, P.O. Box 7407, Washington, DC 20044. If you understate the value of an article you declare, or if you otherwise misrepresent an article in your declaration, you may have to pay a penalty in addition to payment of duty. Under certain circumstances, the article could be seized and forfeited if the penalty is not paid. If you fail to declare an article acquired abroad, not only is the article subject to seizure and forfeiture, but you will be liable for a personal penalty in an amount equal to the value of the article in the United States. In addition, you may also be liable to criminal prosecution.

Visas Some countries require visas for entry. These should be obtained from the appropriate foreign consular representative before proceeding abroad. Allow sufficient time for processing your visa application, especially if you are applying by mail. Most foreign consular representatives are located in principal cities, and in many instances, a traveler may be required to obtain visas from the consular office in the area of his/her residence. Processing and visa fees vary. Consult the embassy or consulate of the country you plan to visit for specific details.