3299 customs form

My family and I are moving back to the US in a little over a week.  I'm filling out our forms for the movers and having trouble with the 3299 customs form on the free entry of articles section (section 10).  Here's the language:

B. All personal effects for which free entry is sought were taken abroad by me or for my account.

I've googled and looked at several movers' instructions (my moving company only advised me to select which is applicable.  um, thanks.) but they say conflicting things.  One says that 'personal effects' is things such as watches, jewelry and electronics.  Another says it includes clothing. 

We haven't purchased any watches, jewelry or electronics while here, but we've bought some clothing while here, most notably for my 2.5 year old daughter as she's grown and needed new clothes.  So do I not check that box because we own clothing that wasn't taken abroad by me but rather purchased in the UK?  It's not a ton of stuff so I'm not sure what to do.  If I don't check the box, will they ask me for receipts from purchases?  Or worse, will I be charged duty on our own clothing?

clothing is personal effects; so are most things that you buy for consumption and/or personal use. You've likely bought make-up or shampoo....that is for personal use. A car, boat, etc....different story. When we moved back to the US a few years ago, we moved everything as 'personal effects'.

Forget the moving company, and go to the US Customs for detail/explanation

clothing is personal effects; so are most things that you buy for consumption and/or personal use. You've likely bought make-up or shampoo....that is for personal use. A car, boat, etc....different story. When we moved back to the US a few years ago, we moved everything as 'personal effects'.

Forget the moving company, and go to the US Customs for detail/explanation

Thanks.  So did you leave that box unchecked?  Did they require you to prove what you're bringing in that you've purchased while abroad?  I just don't even know how I'd figure that out.

Honestly I don't remember. From your post I assume you are a returning resident - that's different to what you can bring in as a visitor. Look at this for guidance:

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/kbyg/

Technically you are supposed to list each item, price, date and place purchased, but if you do that, you will still be here this time 5 years from now.

We had a reasonably detailed list as I recall, but a lot of what was going back to the US came to the UK 7 years before. And a lot of the same stuff came back to the UK 2 years ago, each time in a 40 foot container. Just use common sense; if you have stuff in boxes, number each box and have a generic term - assorted kitchen items, cutlery, dishes. They are looking for the high value, recently acquired, or potential re-sale items. 15 boxes of watches? Yep, those they will charge you for. And don't ship booze. Just don't. You have to declare it, and it makes lights flash.

Thanks.  We will have the mover's inventory of our boxes, so that shouldn't be a problem, and also a very detailed inventory for insurance purposes (thank goodness we've only been here for 1.5 yrs so I can base it on our insurance inventory from when we came here and just add a few things - it took forever to do the first time around).  I just mean I don't really have a sense of what specifically was purchased here versus what we brought with us from the US.  It would mostly be clothing and none of it big purchases so I'm going to just keep my fingers crossed I guess.  Anyway, thanks for your replies.

Clothes are almost consumables. Don't worry about it...you'll be fine!