If you plan on visiting the United States for 90 days or less you do not need to have a visa. Citizens of Canada will need a photo ID and a proof of citizenship. Students will need proper visas and all travellers are required to have a return ticket or an onward travel ticket and must be able to prove they have sufficient funds with them - $500 or more. If you are in any doubt about your visa, you should check with your travel agent or US Embassy before you arrive.

The customs laws are very stringent and under no circumstances are you allowed to take any meat or meat products into the country – not even in cans. These will be confiscated if they are found in your luggage. No fresh fruit, growing plants or seeds are allowed either.
The customs allowances are 50 cigars or 2 kilograms of tobacco, 200 cigarettes, no more than 2 pints or 1 liter of alcohol.
Chocolate is allowed and gifts to the value of $100 or less are allowed.

When you arrive at your airport in New York, you will follow the signs displaying “other than American passports” to an immigration desk where you will be asked about your reason for visiting and your passport will be inspected and stamped with the date when you are required to leave the country!
American citizens returning home to New York are greeted with a friendly “welcome home madam/sir!!
Baggage reclaim is the next stop and then you will be approached by one of the Customs officers, who will examine your customs declaration form. This is a green form you will have received from cabin staff on your outward flight and filled in prior to arriving at the airport.
Once your customs declaration has been examined, you will either be directed towards the exit or you may be required to have your baggage searched by Customs.

On average only about 6% of all travellers have to go through the process of a search. When the customs officer is satisfied with his search you will be free to exit the airport.