Ruth Haines
If you're planning to bring cut fruit into San Diego Airport, it's important to be aware of the relevant regulations. Most countries have restrictions on fruits and vegetables entering from abroad, and undeclared prohibited items may be confiscated and result in penalties. When entering the United States, all agricultural items, including fruits, must be declared and may be inspected by a CBP Agriculture Specialist to ensure they are free of plant pests and foreign animal diseases. While some fruits and vegetables may be brought into the US without advance permission, certain plant parts intended for growing require a foreign phytosanitary certificate. To be extra cautious, it's recommended to consume fruit before landing or opt for other snacks like crackers or trail mix. Checking the USDA's guidelines before travelling can provide specific information on what items are permitted.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can cut fruits enter an airport? | Yes, cut fruits are allowed through airport security. |
| Cut fruits on a flight to San Diego | Allowed if consumed before landing. |
| Cut fruits on a flight from San Diego to other U.S. states | Allowed. |
| Cut fruits on a flight from San Diego to other countries | Not allowed in some countries like Australia and Costa Rica. |
| Cut fruits on a flight from San Diego to Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands | Not allowed. |
| Cut fruits on a flight from San Diego to Canada | Allowed. |
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What You'll Learn
Restrictions on cut fruit entering the US from abroad
The United States restricts or prohibits the entry of many agricultural products, including fruits and vegetables, to protect American agriculture, the economy, and the environment from foreign pests and diseases. All travellers entering the United States are required to declare all agricultural or wildlife products, including meats, fruits, vegetables, plants, seeds, soil, and plant and animal products, to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials. This applies to all items carried in checked baggage, carry-on luggage, or in a vehicle.
Upon declaration, CBP agriculture specialists will inspect the items to determine if they meet entry requirements and do not harbour harmful foreign pests or diseases. U.S. inspectors have the authority to make the final determination about whether the products can enter the country. Therefore, travellers may face confiscation of agricultural products deemed to pose a risk. To avoid this, it is recommended that travellers keep receipts and original packaging as proof of the product's country of origin.
Almost all fresh fruits and vegetables (whole or cut) are prohibited from entering the United States. This includes fruits and vegetables given to passengers on an airplane or cruise ship. Frozen fruits and vegetables are also largely prohibited, as some pests and diseases can survive very low temperatures. However, travellers may bring commercially canned fruits and vegetables into the United States as long as they are declared on the U.S. Customs form. Home-canned products are not allowed due to varying canning practices that may not effectively remove pest and disease risks.
Some fruits, vegetables, and plants may be brought into the United States without advance permission, provided they are declared, inspected, and found free of pests. However, certain plants and any plant parts intended for growing (propagative) require a foreign phytosanitary certificate in advance. Many fresh, dried, and some canned meats and meat byproducts are also prohibited from entering the United States due to the threat of animal diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease and mad cow disease.
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Restrictions on fruit entering California
California has strict restrictions on fruits, vegetables, and plants entering the state. These restrictions are in place to prevent the spread of pests and diseases that could damage California's agriculture and environment. The state produces three-quarters of the country's fruits and nuts, so it is essential to protect these industries.
Citrus fruits, including oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruits, are restricted from entering California by land due to the risk of spreading pests and viruses that threaten local citrus crops. These restrictions apply to loose citrus fruit as well as citrus plants. Most nuts are also restricted from entering California due to the risk of transporting invasive flies and weevils.
The state has 16 border protection stations along its domestic borders on major highways and interstates. These stations are run by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and act as a "first line of defense" against invasive species. The CDFA has published guidelines on bringing produce into California, including information on where certain fruits and vegetables can be brought from and the associated hazards. In some cases, only produce from specific states is prohibited. For example, fruits and vegetables from states east of New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana are restricted to prevent the spread of pest insects.
It is important to note that the restrictions on bringing fruits and vegetables into California apply to both personal and commercial use. While houseplants are generally allowed as long as they are potted in commercially sold soil, any signs of infestation or disease will result in confiscation. It is recommended to check the guidelines before attempting to bring any produce into California to avoid potential issues at the border.
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Restrictions on fruit entering the US from Mexico
The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) enforces strict agricultural rules and regulations at ports of entry to protect American agriculture against the introduction of pests and diseases. Many agricultural products are prohibited from entering the United States from certain countries, especially fresh fruits and vegetables, because they may carry plant pests and foreign animal diseases that could be detrimental to America's crops, livestock, and the environment.
When entering the US from Mexico, stone fruits, apples, mangoes, oranges, guavas, sopote, cherimoya, and sweet limes require a permit. Avocados from Mexico that are peeled, halved, and have had the seed removed are allowed if they are in liquid or vacuum-packed, but are still subject to inspection. In general, all fruits must be declared and are subject to inspection by a CBP Agriculture Specialist at ports of entry to ensure they are free of plant pests and foreign animal diseases.
It is important to note that 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. To avoid penalties, all agricultural items must be declared and presented for inspection.
Additionally, if you are a US citizen returning to the country or a foreign national visiting, you must comply with the laws and regulations enforced by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding Prescription (Rx) and Over-the-Counter (OTC) medications. If the medication is a Controlled Substance, you must also comply with the requirements of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
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Restrictions on fruit entering the US from Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands
Passengers flying from Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or the US Virgin Islands to the US mainland are prohibited from carrying most fresh fruits and vegetables due to the risk of spreading invasive plant pests. This restriction applies to all food, plants, and other agricultural items, which must be presented to a USDA inspector at the airport before departure.
Fresh fruits and vegetables may carry invasive pests or diseases, which could lead to significant damage to agriculture and the environment, requiring costly eradication efforts and resulting in lost trade revenue and increased food prices. Therefore, it is essential to adhere to these restrictions when travelling from Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or the US Virgin Islands to the US mainland.
Hawaii:
When travelling from the US mainland to Hawaii, all agricultural items, including fruits, vegetables, cut flowers/foliage, animals, microorganism cultures, soil, and related containers and packing materials, must be declared on a "Plants and Animals Declaration Form" before landing in Hawaii. These items must also be presented for inspection at the Agricultural Inspection Counter in the baggage claim area. All plant material must be free of soil, insect pests, and signs of disease. Restricted plant materials, such as grass plants, coffee plants, and pine plants, cannot be imported into Hawaii without prior arrangements for permits, quarantines, treatments, or certification.
Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands:
When travelling from Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands to the US mainland, most fresh fruits and vegetables are prohibited. However, roasted coffee or green (unroasted) coffee beans can be brought in without restriction. Other permitted items include allium spp. (including onion, garlic, and chives), amaranth, beans in pods, chamomile, cornsalad, cucumber, horseradish, indigo, mint, oregano, marjoram, and St. John's bread. It is important to contact the local USDA or CBP office for the most up-to-date information on permitted items.
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Restrictions on fruit entering the US from Canada
When travelling, it is important to be aware of the restrictions on fruit and vegetables entering your destination country. Most countries have restrictions on fruits and vegetables entering from abroad due to the risk of spreading invasive pests and diseases. The same applies to the United States, which restricts or prohibits the entry of many agricultural products, including fruits and vegetables, to protect American agriculture and the environment.
If you are entering the US from Canada, you must declare all agricultural and wildlife products to US Customs and Border Protection officials. US agricultural inspectors will examine your items to ensure they meet entry requirements and do not carry harmful pests or diseases. Fresh tomatoes, bell peppers, and seed potatoes from Canada are prohibited from entering the US. However, fresh cucumbers, eggplant, lettuce, squash, and strawberries commercially labelled as greenhouse-grown in Canada may enter the US year-round. Sea buckthorn berries may also enter year-round.
Travellers entering the US from Canada may bring certain commercially packaged frozen fruits and vegetables grown in Canada, provided they do not contain meat products and are frozen solid (20°F or -6.6°C) when presented at the border. These products must be declared and presented for inspection, and US Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists will determine their entry. Similarly, commercially canned fruits and vegetables (not containing meat products) from Canada may enter the US, but they must be declared and presented for inspection.
It is important to note that regulations can change frequently due to outbreaks of plant and animal diseases. Therefore, travellers are responsible for declaring and presenting all agricultural items for inspection when entering the US, even if they are permitted.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can bring cut fruit into San Diego Airport, as long as it is consumed before you land.
You cannot bring cut fruit on board if you are flying from these locations to the US mainland.
You must declare all fresh fruits upon arrival in Hawaii. They may be inspected and prohibited depending on their type and origin.
Yes, many agricultural products are prohibited from entering the US from certain countries due to the risk of spreading plant pests and foreign animal diseases. All agricultural items must be declared and are subject to inspection.
Yes, you could consider bringing other snacks such as crackers, baked goods, or trail mix.
