Majid Rana
Bringing food into the United States from abroad is a complicated process. Many agricultural products are prohibited from entering the country from certain countries because they may carry plant pests and foreign animal diseases. All agricultural items must be declared and are subject to inspection by a CBP Agriculture Specialist at ports of entry to ensure they are free of pests and diseases. Prohibited or restricted items include meats, fresh fruits and vegetables, plants, seeds, soil, and products made from animal or plant materials. Failure to declare food products at US air, sea, and land border entry points can lead to fines and penalties of up to $10,000. However, a long list of food items is allowed into the US, including commercially canned fruits and vegetables, condiments, cooking oils, bread, cookies, crackers, cakes, cereal, packaged tea, and other baked and processed products.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What food can be brought into the US? | Commercially canned fruits and vegetables, dried beans, dates, figs, nuts (but not chestnuts or acorns), okra, peas, raisins, Szechwan peppercorns, roasted and unroasted coffee beans, teas, herbal teas, infusions, butter, butter oil, olive oil, other vegetable oils, solid hard or soft cheeses that don’t contain meat, liquid milk and powdered or dry milk products intended for infants or very young children, products containing powdered or dry milk (baking mixes, soup mixes, drink mixes) in small quantities, commercially-packaged and labelled, cooked, shelf-stable, fully finished milk and dairy items in unopened packages, eggshells with egg white and egg yolk removed that are decorated/etched/painted, moon cakes that do not contain meat, egg, or egg yolk unless the eggs appear “thoroughly cooked throughout”, ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, Marmite, Vegemite, and prepared sauces that do not contain meat products, bread, cookies, crackers, cakes, granola bars, cereal, and other baked and processed products, juices that are commercially packaged, mushrooms that are fresh, dried, and the above-ground parts that are clean and free of soil, aloe, above-ground parts, coconuts that are dry and without husks that haven’t sprouted, peeled garlic cloves, ginger with clean roots, condiments, oils, bread, cookies, crackers, cakes, granola bars, cereal, and other baked and processed products, hard cheese and dairy, soft cheese, canned goods and goods in vacuum-packed jars, fish, dried fruit, liquid milk and milk products intended for infants or very young children, powder drinks, juices, tea, coffee, spices, honey, noodles and ramen, rice, flour, mushrooms, nuts |
| What food cannot be brought into the US? | Nearly all fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables, most dried fruits and vegetables, most poultry, cattle, swine, sheep or goat meat, or meat products from countries affected with certain serious livestock diseases, whole coffee berries, coca, barberry, and loose citrus leaves, spices made from oranges, lemons, limes, and other citrus leaves and seeds, and many vegetable and fruit seeds, milk and dairy items from countries with foot-and-mouth disease, most eggs or egg products from countries affected with certain serious poultry diseases, avocadoes from Mexico must be peeled, halved, have the seed removed, and stored in liquid or vacuum-packed and are subject to inspection |
| What happens if you bring forbidden food items into the US? | Failure to declare food products at US air, sea and land border entry points can lead to fines and penalties of up to $10,000. If you declare food items, you will not face any penalties even if they are forbidden. |
What You'll Learn
- Fresh fruits and vegetables are prohibited from entering the US
- All food items must be declared on US Customs forms
- Food items that are allowed include commercially canned fruits and vegetables, and dried beans
- Failure to declare food products can lead to fines and penalties of up to $10,000
- Solid food items are allowed in carry-on bags, but liquid or gel food items larger than 3.4 oz are prohibited
Fresh fruits and vegetables are prohibited from entering the US
The United States prohibits the entry of many agricultural products, including fresh fruits and vegetables, to protect American agriculture from foreign pests and diseases. This restriction applies to whole and cut fruits and vegetables, and includes items received on an airplane or cruise ship. Frozen fruits and vegetables are also largely prohibited, as some pests and diseases can survive very cold temperatures.
However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, travellers may bring commercially canned fruits and vegetables into the US, as long as they are declared on a US Customs form. In contrast, home-canned products are not allowed, as canning practices can vary and may not remove all risks. Most dried fruits and vegetables are also prohibited unless they meet special requirements to prevent the introduction of pests and diseases. Nuts (excluding chestnuts and acorns) and Szechwan peppercorns are permitted, but must be declared and presented for inspection.
It is important to declare all agricultural products, even if they are prohibited, to avoid penalties. Undeclared prohibited items will be confiscated and can result in civil penalties for travellers.
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All food items must be declared on US Customs forms
When entering the United States, all travellers must fill out a customs declaration form. This form asks a series of questions, including whether the traveller is carrying food.
The definition of "food" is quite broad and includes most items that you would put in your mouth. For example, condiments, oils, bread, cookies, crackers, cakes, granola bars, cereal, and other baked and processed products are all considered food items that must be declared. Hard cheeses and dairy products such as butter, butter oil, yoghurt, and sour cream are also considered food and must be declared.
Even small items such as an extra tea bag from the airport lounge, free chocolate samples, or single-use condiment packets are considered food and need to be declared. Failing to declare food items can result in fines or revocation of Global Entry status. Therefore, it is always best to check "yes" to the question of whether you are carrying food on the customs form. If you declare that you are carrying food, you have met the legal requirement, and any non-admissible items will simply be confiscated.
It is important to note that different rules may apply for carrying food items in your carry-on luggage versus checked luggage. Solid food items can be transported in either carry-on or checked bags, but liquid or gel food items larger than 3.4 oz are not allowed in carry-on bags and should be placed in checked luggage if possible.
When in doubt, it is always best to declare any food items you are carrying to avoid potential issues when entering the United States.
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Food items that are allowed include commercially canned fruits and vegetables, and dried beans
When it comes to food items, travellers are required to declare all food they are carrying on their U.S. Customs form. This is to ensure that prohibited or restricted items, such as meats, fresh fruits and vegetables, plants, seeds, soil, and products made from animal or plant materials, are not brought into the country. These restrictions are in place to protect U.S. crop production and the livestock industry from foreign animal diseases and plant pests.
Commercially canned fruits and vegetables are allowed and must be declared. However, home-canned products are prohibited because canning practices can vary, and they may not effectively remove all pest and disease risks.
In addition to canned goods, other food items that are generally allowed include dried beans, condiments, oils, baked goods, hard and soft cheeses, fish, dried fruit, tea, coffee, spices, honey, noodles, rice, flour, mushrooms, and nuts. It is important to note that these items must still be declared on the customs form, and any non-admissible items will be confiscated.
Failure to declare prohibited agricultural items can result in a civil penalty for the traveller, and all confiscated or abandoned items will be destroyed using USDA-approved methods to prevent the spread of pests and diseases.
Failure to declare food products can lead to fines and penalties of up to $10,000
When travelling to the United States, it is important to declare any food items you are bringing with you. This is because certain food products are prohibited from entering the country, such as meat and meat products from most foreign countries, and almost anything containing meat products, such as bouillon or soup mixes. Other food items, such as bakery items and certain types of cheese, are allowed, but must still be declared.
Failing to declare food products when entering the US can result in various fines and penalties. For example, the civil penalty for failing to declare agricultural items at US ports of entry is $300 for first-time offenders and $500 for the second violation. Additionally, undeclared prohibited agricultural items will be confiscated, and travellers may receive a civil penalty for failing to declare these items. While the exact amount of this civil penalty is not specified, it is stated that it can be as high as $10,000.
To avoid these fines and penalties, travellers should carefully review the list of prohibited and restricted food items before their trip and declare any food products they are bringing with them upon arrival. This includes items that may not seem like food, such as tea bags, chocolate samples, and single-use condiment packets. By declaring these items, travellers can avoid issues with Customs and Border Protection and simply have any non-admissible items confiscated.
It is worth noting that members of the Global Entry program, which expedites re-entry into the US for pre-screened low-risk travellers, are held to a higher standard when it comes to customs and immigration rules. Failure to declare goods or food can result in the revocation of Global Entry status, as members are expected to be familiar with and follow the rules without exception.
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Solid food items are allowed in carry-on bags, but liquid or gel food items larger than 3.4 oz are prohibited
When travelling, it's important to be aware of the restrictions on the types of food that can be carried in your luggage. Solid food items are typically allowed in carry-on bags, but there are restrictions on liquid or gel food items. These restrictions are in place to maintain safety and prevent any potential security risks.
According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), solid food items are permitted in both carry-on and checked bags. This means that travellers can pack items such as bread, cookies, crackers, cakes, granola bars, cereal, and other baked or processed products in their carry-on luggage without any issues. Hard and semi-soft cheeses without meat, butter, butter oil, and cultured milk products like yogurt are also allowed.
However, when it comes to liquid or gel food items, the rules are more stringent. The TSA has a 3-1-1 liquids rule, which states that travellers can bring liquids or gels in containers that are 3.4 ounces (about 100 ml) or less. These containers must fit comfortably into a single quart-sized, clear plastic bag. This means that travellers should avoid bringing liquid or gel food items larger than 3.4 ounces in their carry-on bags. Instead, these items should be placed in checked bags, if possible. Examples of liquid or gel food items that fall under this restriction include soft cheeses like feta, Brie, Camembert, mozzarella, and Buffalo Mozzarella, as well as canned goods or vacuum-packed jars containing liquid or gel.
It's worth noting that foods for infants and toddlers, such as formula, breast milk, baby food, and toddler drinks, are exempt from the 3.4-ounce limit and can be brought in larger quantities. Additionally, travellers are advised to separate items like foods, powders, and other materials that can clutter bags and obstruct clear images on the X-ray machine used during security screening.
When travelling internationally, it's important to be aware of the specific regulations of the country you're visiting or returning to. For example, in the United States, certain agriculture products like meats, fresh fruits and vegetables, plants, seeds, soil, and products made from animal or plant materials may be prohibited from entering the country to prevent the introduction of plant pests and foreign animal diseases. Therefore, it's always a good idea to check with the customs and border protection authorities of your destination country to ensure you're complying with their specific rules and restrictions regarding food items.
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Frequently asked questions
If you declare that you are carrying food, you have met the requirement as set forth by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and any non-admissible items will simply be confiscated. However, undeclared prohibited agricultural items will be confiscated and can result in the issuance of a civil penalty to the traveler for failure to declare the prohibited item.
Travelers who declare agricultural products in their luggage don’t face penalties – even if an inspector concludes the items are not eligible to enter the country, the USDA says. In such cases, the food is destroyed. However, attempting to bring in prohibited items would lead to traveler delays and may result in a fine.
Nearly all fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables are prohibited from entering the U.S. due to the risk of pests and diseases. Most meat, poultry, milk, and egg products are either banned or restricted in the U.S. – with rules depending on the country of origin and what livestock diseases are prevalent in the region.
A long list of food items are allowed into the U.S., including condiments, cooking oils, bread, cookies, crackers, cakes, cereal, packed tea, and other baked and processed products.
