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Question:
Can I bring in
food as a traveler (fruit, cheese, meat, etc)? The information
in this answer does not apply to food being sent to the U.S.
through the mail, courier services or other means.
Answer:
Many
fruits and vegetables are either prohibited from entering the
United States or require an import permit (for commercial
importers) or a phytosanitary certificate from the country of
origin. Every fruit or vegetable must be declared to a CBP
Officer and must be presented for inspection - no matter how
free of pests it appears to be. Failure to declare food products
can result in a $10,000 fine. See special guidelines for produce
from Canada below.
Meats,
livestock, poultry, and their products are either prohibited or
restricted from entering the United States, depending on the
animal disease condition in the country of origin. Fresh meat is
generally prohibited from most countries. Canned, cured, or
dried meat is severely restricted from some countries. See
special guidelines for animal products from Canada below, and
our Q&A on meat, poultry and swine products for a more
complete discussion of food items from those sources.
Bakery
items, candy, chocolate, and cured cheese are generally
admissible. Canned goods and goods in vacuum packed jars (other
than those containing meat or poultry products)are also
generally admissible if being imported for personal use.
Dairy
items such as milk, yogurt, butter are generally admissible,
although this is subject to change, depending on disease
outbreaks. Eggs may be admissible, although frequent outbreaks
of Exotic Newcastles Disease and avian flu make it very likely
that they will be denied entry. Hard cured cheese such as
parmesan or cheddar are generally admissible, soft cheeses such
as brie and soft curd cheese and cheese in water(ricotta, feta,
etc.) are not.
Cooked
and raw poultry is now allowed from Canada.
Fish,
if it is for your personal use, is generally admissible.
Condiments
such as oil, vinegar, mustard, catsup, pickles, syrup, honey,
jelly, jam, etc., are generally admissible.
Fruits
and vegetables grown in Canada are generally admissible, if they
have labels identifying them as products of Canada. Fruits and
vegetables merely purchased in Canada are not necessarily
admissible, ie. citrus or tropical fruits such as mangos, which
clearly were not grown in Canada because it does not have a
climate that supports those crops. (Potatoes from western
regions of Canada are currently restricted because of a disease
outbreak. While commercial imports are permitted under stringent
guidelines, travelers from Canada should avoid bringing raw
potatoes with them into the US).
Currently
NO RUMINANT PRODUCTS FROM CANADA MAY ENTER THE U.S. without a
permit. This includes frozen, cooked, canned or otherwise
processed beef, lamb, and veal. Hunter harvested game is
admissible from Canada for the traveler's personal use if
accompanied with a permit. For more information on hunter
harvested game visit the USDA website.
Pork
and pork products are not admissible from Mexico.
Other
then the above general guidelines, it is impossible to advise
you in this forum about the admissibility of specific food items
because it is so susceptible to change. Disease and pest
outbreaks, which impact the admissibility status of fresh and
packaged food items, occur all over the world at a moments
notice.
Failure
to declare all food products can result in civil penalties.
Because
CBP inspectors are stationed at ports of entry and along our
land and sea borders, they are often called upon to enforce laws
and requirements of other government agencies. Because of the
complexities of regulations governing the importation of food,
CBP officers may need to contact an expert for information about
what is or is not admissible. If no expert is available, food
may be detained in the interest of preventing possible
food-borne diseases into the U.S. This is done to protect
community health, preserve domestic plant and animals life, etc.
The
U.S. Department of Agriculture establishes criteria for the
admissibility of plant, dairy and meat products returning with
travelers and they have the final say about what may be admitted
into the U.S. The USDA web site: Click on Travelers' Tips has
somewhat more detailed information for travelers, and they can
be contacted at 301-734-8896 for information about the
admissibility of plant or plant products.
Source:
U.S. Customs
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