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Bringing food through customs at a US airport can be tricky, and failure to declare food items can result in hefty fines. US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has an ever-changing list of US customs food restrictions, and it is important to consult this list before bringing food items into the country. All agricultural items must be declared and are subject to inspection by a CBP Agriculture Specialist to ensure they are free of plant pests and foreign animal diseases. Prohibited items include fresh fruits and vegetables, certain animal products, and meat products. Baked goods, packaged spices, honey, coffee, and tea are generally allowed.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Food allowed | Bakery items, certain cheeses, prepared foods, condiments, vinegars, oils, packaged spices, honey, tea, coffee, cookies, cakes, breads, dried spices, fish and seafood, nuts, dried beans, dates, figs, raisins, Szechwan peppercorns, tea, herbal teas, infusions, liquid milk, powdered or dry milk products, commercially packaged and labeled cooked shelf-stable meat and poultry items |
| Food prohibited | Meat products, bouillon, soup mixes, rice, fresh fruits and vegetables, plants, seeds, soil, products made from animal or plant materials, bush meat, dangerous toys, illegal substances, certain fruits and vegetables, animal products, animal by-products, vehicles without CBP Form 7501, biological specimens, ceramic tableware |
| Rules/Regulations | All agricultural items must be declared and are subject to inspection by a CBP Agriculture Specialist at ports of entry. Food items must be for personal use. |
| Fines/Penalties | Failure to declare food products can lead to fines and penalties of up to $10,000. |
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What You'll Learn
Fines for undeclared food items
When travelling within the US, it is important to be aware of the restrictions on bringing food through customs at the airport. Many agricultural products are prohibited from entering the United States from certain countries due to the risk of introducing plant pests and foreign animal diseases. All agricultural items must be declared and are subject to inspection by a CBP Agriculture Specialist to ensure they are free of these contaminants. Prohibited or restricted items may include meats, fresh fruits and vegetables, plants, seeds, soil, and products made from animal or plant materials. Dairy products such as cheese are generally allowed, as long as they are solid and do not contain meat.
Undeclared prohibited agricultural items will be confiscated and can result in civil penalties for the traveller. According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website, failing to declare agricultural products can result in up to $10,000 in fines and penalties. These fines are in place to prevent the spread of pests and diseases, which can cause significant economic damage to the U.S. crop production and livestock industry.
In addition to agricultural items, other restricted items that may result in fines if undeclared include firearms, certain fruits and vegetables, animal products, and biological specimens. It is important to note that bringing in food items for commercial use is subject to different regulations and must be properly reported to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration prior to arrival.
To avoid fines, it is recommended to declare any food items that may be questionable. This will add time to your screening process, but it is better than facing potential penalties or confiscation of your items. The final decision on whether an item is allowed rests with the TSA officer, and they may request additional screening if security concerns arise.
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Prohibited food items
When travelling within the US, you may bring food items with you through customs at the airport. However, certain food items are prohibited or restricted from entering the US due to the potential presence of 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. Prohibited or restricted items may include meats, fresh fruits and vegetables, plants, seeds, soil, and products made from animal or plant materials. For example, bush meat made from African wildlife and almost anything containing meat products, such as bouillon or soup mixes, is prohibited.
Some imported foods are also subject to requirements of the US Food and Drug Administration. The Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 established the requirement that food items imported for commercial use, including hand-carried quantities, be properly reported. Failure to provide complete, timely, and accurate prior notice for Bioterrorism Act-regulated items can result in the refusal of admission of the merchandise, movement of the goods to an FDA-registered facility, and/or civil monetary penalties for any party involved in the import transaction.
As a general rule, bakery items, certain cheeses, condiments, vinegars, oils, packaged spices, honey, coffee, and tea are admissible. However, it is best to avoid bringing rice into the US, as it can often harbour insects.
If you are unsure about a specific food item, it is recommended to contact CBP before your trip to ensure that it is not prohibited or restricted.
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Restricted food items
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) maintains an ever-changing list of restricted food items. The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service determines which food items pose a risk and should be restricted or prohibited from entering the U.S.
- Fresh fruits and vegetables: Nearly all fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables are restricted from entering the U.S. due to the risk of introducing pests and diseases.
- Meat products: Meat and meat by-products, such as bouillon and soup mixes, are restricted. However, commercially packaged and labelled cooked meat and poultry items are allowed.
- Animal by-products: Certain animal by-products, such as balut eggs, are restricted.
- Rice: Rice is often restricted due to its ability to harbour insects.
- Spices: Spices from the citrus family, such as lemons, limes, and oranges, are restricted.
- Nuts: Only nuts that have been boiled, cooked, ground, oven-dried, pureed, roasted, steamed, or had their shells removed are allowed. Chestnuts and acorns are restricted.
- Dairy: Only liquid milk and powdered or dry milk products intended for infants or young children in reasonable amounts are allowed.
- Baked goods: Baked goods with meat or egg stuffing are restricted.
It is important to accurately declare all food items on the Customs Declaration Form to avoid fines and penalties.
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Permitted food items
When bringing food items into the US, it's important to declare them on US Customs forms. Inspectors will examine the items to ensure they do not carry harmful foreign pests or diseases. Failure to declare food products can lead to fines and penalties of up to $10,000.
- Bakery items and certain cheeses
- Prepared foods, except those containing meat products such as bouillon or soup mixes
- Condiments, vinegars, oils, packaged spices, honey, coffee, and tea
- Fish and seafood in any form (fresh, frozen, dried, smoked, canned, or cooked)
- Nuts that have been boiled, cooked, ground, oven-dried, pureed, roasted, steamed, or removed from their shells
- Dried spices, as long as they are not from the citrus family (lemons, limes, oranges, etc.)
- Commercially packaged and labelled, cooked, shelf-stable meat and poultry items
- Teas, herbal teas, and infusions that are commercially packaged and ready to be boiled, steeped, or microwaved in liquid
- Liquid milk and powdered or dry milk products intended for infants or young children in reasonable amounts
- 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
- Cookies, cakes, and breads
It's important to note that the rules regarding permitted food items can change, so it's always best to consult the US Customs food list and follow the rules on your immigration card when declaring foods.
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Food items requiring declaration
When travelling within the US, it is important to declare food items at US air, sea, and land border entry points. This is to prevent the introduction of foreign pests and diseases, which can have a detrimental effect on agriculture and the environment. Failure to declare food products can lead to fines and penalties of up to $10,000.
The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has a list of prohibited and restricted food items. Prohibited items are forbidden by law from entering the United States, while restricted items require special licenses or permits from federal agencies. Prohibited foods include bush meat, meat products such as bouillon, and soup mixes. Restricted items include certain fruits and vegetables, animal products, and animal by-products.
Some food items that require declaration when travelling within the US include:
- Bakery items: Breads, cakes, cookies, and other baked goods are generally allowed. However, meat or egg-stuffed confections are prohibited.
- Fish and seafood: Fresh, frozen, dried, smoked, canned, or cooked fish and seafood are allowed in amounts suitable for personal use.
- Spices: Dried spices are allowed, as long as they are not from the citrus family (lemons, limes, oranges, etc.).
- Nuts: Nuts are permitted if they have been boiled, cooked, ground, oven-dried, pureed, roasted, steamed, or removed from their shells.
- Dairy: Commercially packaged and labelled, cooked, shelf-stable milk and dairy items in unopened packages are allowed.
- Condiments and cooking ingredients: Items such as vinegars, oils, packaged spices, honey, tea, and coffee are generally admissible.
- Fruits and vegetables: Nearly all fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables are prohibited from entering the US due to the risk of pests and diseases.
It is important to consult the US Customs food list and declare all food items when travelling within the US to avoid fines and penalties.
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Frequently asked questions
Fresh, frozen, dried, smoked, canned, or cooked fish and seafood is allowed in amounts suitable for personal use. Bakery items, certain cheeses, packaged spices, honey, coffee, and tea are also admissible.
Nearly all fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables are prohibited from entering the US due to the risk of pests and diseases. Meat products, soup mixes, and rice are also prohibited.
Failure to declare food products can lead to fines and penalties of up to $10,000. US Customs and Border Protection may also destroy contaminated items.
Consult the US Customs food list before purchasing food overseas to bring to the US. When you receive the Customs Declaration Form, accurately fill out the section asking if you're bringing in any agricultural products. Keep receipts and original packaging to prove where you purchased the items.
