Prohibited and Restricted Items
CBP restricts products from entering the United States that would injure community health, public safety and domestic plant and animal life.
Before you leave for your trip to the United States, be sure the items you intend to bring with you are not prohibited or restricted by visiting www.cbp.gov—click on Questions/Comments.
Absinthe
The importation of absinthe is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Department of the Treasury’s Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. Imported absinthe must be thujone free (that is, it must contain less than 100 parts per million of thujone); the term “absinthe” cannot be the brand name or stand alone on the label; and the packaging cannot show images of hallucinogenic, psychotropic, or mind-altering effects. Absinthe imported in violation of these regulations is subject to seizure.
Alcoholic Beverages
In addition to U.S. laws, the laws of the state in which you first arrive in the United States will govern the amount of alcohol you may bring with you, and whether you need a license. Most states will allow you to bring up to a case of wine, particularly if you are transiting, but you will be charged duty on more than one liter. If you plan to bring alcoholic beverages with you, before you depart, contact the state’s applicable alcoholic beverage control board to determine how to comply with that state’s laws and regulations.
Automobiles
Cars brought into the United States temporarily (for less than one year) by nonresidents are exempt from restrictions. However, it is illegal to bring a vehicle into the United States and sell it if it was not formally entered on a CBP Form 7501.
Biologicals
You may need a U.S. Department of Agriculture permit to import biological specimens including bacterial cultures, culture media, excretions, fungi, arthropods, mollusks, tissues of livestock, birds, plants, viruses, and vectors of disease.
Cultural Artifacts and Property
Most countries have laws that protect their cultural property to include art, artifacts, antiquities, and archaeological and ethnological material. Such laws include export controls and/or national ownership of cultural property. Even if purchased from a business in the country of origin or in another country, legal ownership of such artifacts may be questioned if brought into the United States. Therefore, although they do not necessarily confer ownership, you must have documents such as export permits and receipts when bringing such items into the United States.
While foreign laws may not be enforceable in the United States, they can cause certain U.S. laws to be invoked. For example, under the U.S. National Stolen Property Act, one cannot have legal title to art/ artifacts/antiquities that were stolen—no matter how many times such items may have changed hands.
Other countries may request that the United States impose additional import restrictions. It is wise for prospective purchasers/importers to visit the U.S. State Department cultural property website, http:// exchanges.state.gov/culprop/.
Caviar
You may bring in no more than 125 grams of caviar. If you bring in more than that, ALL of the caviar will be seized.
Cuban Cigars
NO products of Cuba can be brought into the United States if purchased in a country other than Cuba.
Defense Articles or Items with Military or Proliferation Applications
Some items that have both commercial and military or proliferation applications, or that are considered defense articles, require a license before exporting abroad. Such items may include software or technology, blueprints, design plans, and retail software packages and technical information. If CBP officials suspect that a regulated item or defense article has been exported without a license, they may, for example, examine files and software on your laptop computer as well as your baggage. A list of U.S. government agencies and departments with regulatory authority over exports is available at www.bis.doc.gov/about/reslinks.htm.
Dog and Cat Fur
It is illegal in the United States to import, export, distribute, transport, manufacture, or sell products containing dog or cat fur.
Drug Paraphernalia
It is illegal to bring drug paraphernalia into the United States unless they have been prescribed for authentic medical conditions such as diabetes. Drug paraphernalia is any equipment or product designed for use in manufacturing, compounding, injecting, ingesting, or inhaling a controlled substance, the possession of which is unlawful.
Firearms
The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) regulates and restricts firearms and ammunition and approves all import transactions involving weapons and ammunition. U.S. visitors (with a few exceptions) must obtain an import permit (ATF Form 6, http://www.atf.gov/forms/download/atf-f-5330-3a.pdf) to temporarily import firearms and ammunition for hunting or other lawful sporting purposes. If the firearm is controlled as a U.S. Munitions List article and it is temporarily imported to the United States, or it is temporarily exported, it may require a Department of State license.
Fish and Wildlife
Certain fish and wildlife, and products made from them, are subject to import and export restrictions, prohibitions, permits or certificates, and quarantine requirements. CBP recommends that you contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ( http://www.fws.gov/le/ impexp/info_importers_exporters.htm) before you depart if you plan to bring any of the following into the United States:
• Wild birds, land or marine mammals, reptiles, fish, shellfish, mollusks, or invertebrates.
• Any part or product of the above, such as skins, tusks, bone, feathers, or eggs.
• Products or articles manufactured from endangered wildlife or fish.
Endangered species, and products made from them, generally may not be imported. You will need a permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to import virtually all types of ivory.
Some states have fish and wildlife laws and regulations that are stricter than federal laws and regulations. If you are traveling to such a state, be aware that the stricter state laws and regulations have priority. Similarly, the federal government does not allow you to import wild animals into the United States that were taken, killed, sold, possessed, or exported from another country if any of these acts violated foreign laws.
Food Products (Prepared)
You may bring many prepared foods into the United States, including bakery items and certain cheeses. As a general rule, condiments, vinegars, oils, packaged spices, honey, ground coffee and tea are admissible. Foods in packaging that appears unsafe or contaminated may be refused entry. See the entry below on Meats, Livestock and Poultry.
Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts and Dried Grains
It is best not to bring fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts or grains into the United States. CBP will inspect them to ensure that dangerous insects and pests are not introduced into the United States. The additional inspection could add to your CBP processing time.
Game and Hunting Trophies
If planning to import game or hunting trophies, please contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service before you leave. Contact information is on page 32.
Gold
Gold coins, medals, and bullion, formerly prohibited, may be brought into the United States. However, under Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) regulations, such items originating in or brought from Cuba, Iran, Burma (Myanmar) and most of Sudan are prohibited entry without a license or other OFAC authorization. Copies of gold coins are prohibited if not properly marked by country of issuance.
Meats, Livestock and Poultry
You may not import fresh, dried, or canned meats or meat products from most foreign countries into the United States. Also you may not import food products that have been prepared with meat. Commercially canned meat is allowed if the inspector can determine from the label that the meat was cooked in the can after it was sealed. Some meats may enter if they have appropriate health certificates. The regulations on importing meat and meat products change frequently because they are based on the animal disease status in different areas of the world.
If you question whether particular agricultural products can be brought into the United States, contact the U.S. Department of Agriculture—contact information is on page 32.
Medication
A general rule: Bring only the medicines you will need, no more, no less.
If you bring medicines that contain potentially addictive drugs or narcotics, (for example, some cough medicines, tranquilizers, sleeping pills, antidepressants, or stimulants):
• Declare all drugs, medicines, and similar products to the appropriate CBP official.
• Carry drugs, medicines and similar products in their original containers.
• Carry only the quantity of such substances that a person with that condition (e.g., chronic pain) would normally carry for his/her personal use.
Only medications that can be legally prescribed in the United States may be imported for personal use. Possession of certain substances may also violate state laws. (The U.S. Food and Drug Administration generally does not allow the import of prescription drugs purchased outside the United States. Go to http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ for more information.
For specifics about importing controlled substances, go to http://www.fda.gov/ForIndustry/ImportProgram/ucm173743.htm or call 202.307.2414. For additional information about traveling with medication, write to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Division of Import Operations and Policy, Room 12-8 (HFC-170), Pr 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857.