USDA FAQ's and resources about coronavirus (COVID-19). LEARN MORE
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Last Modified: Oct 28, 2022
The United States restricts or prohibits the entry of many agricultural products, which can carry foreign pests and diseases that harm American agriculture and our environment. A major pest or disease outbreak could mean higher grocery bills, shortages of certain foods, and devastating losses for our farmers and ranchers. Help us keep American agriculture healthy by following the guidance on this page about products you may want to bring into the United States.
Travelers entering the United States must declare all agricultural products on their U.S. Customs forms. U.S. agricultural inspectors will examine your items to be sure they meet entry requirements and do not harbor harmful foreign pests or diseases. U.S. inspectors have the authority to make a final determination about whether your products can enter the country. We recommend that you keep receipts and original packaging of agricultural products as proof of their country of origin.
As long as you declare all the agricultural products you are bringing with you, you will not face any penalties—even if an inspector determines that they cannot enter the country.Scroll down for more information on how to declare items at Customs.
Are you traveling from Canada by Land?Find out which meat, poultry and pet food productsthat you CAN and CANNOT bring back to theU.S. from Canada's land border.Air travelers should refer to the guidance listed below.
Meats, Poultry, and Seafood that you CAN and CANNOT bring back to the U.S. (choose below)
USDA does not allow travelers to bring back most cattle, swine, sheep or goat meat or meat products from countries affected with certain serious livestock diseases:
- Foot-and-mouth disease
- Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE)
- Swine vesicular disease
- Classical swine fever
- African swine fever
To find out a country’s status for these diseases, visit our animal disease status page.
Travelers may bring back fresh (chilled or frozen), cooked, cured or dried meat from countries without these diseases if they have official documentation to prove the product’s country of origin. The following items are considered official documentation: package label; written documentation; proof of travel (passport or travel itinerary); origin of flight; receipt of sale; CBP document (based on the officer’s interview of the traveler); a meat inspection certificate; or certificate of origin.
Travelers may bring back boneless meat in commercially packaged, labeled, and contained in unopened hermetically sealed containers or packages that are cooked by a commercial method after such packing to produce articles that are shelf-stable without refrigeration.
Travelers may not bring back more than 50 pounds of an item. Shipments larger than 50 pounds are considered commercial shipments and must meet additional requirements through USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service. Contact them at (202) 720-9904 or www.fsis.usda.gov.
Cured hams (prosciutto, Serrano ham, Iberian ham) and salami from areas within France, Germany, Italy and Spain maynot be brought into the United States by travelers. These items may only enter in commercial shipments because there are special restrictions that require additional certification and documentation.
USDA does not allowtravelers to bring back most poultry meat or poultry meat products from countries affected with certain serious poultry diseases:
- Highly pathogenic avian influenza
- Newcastle disease
To find out a country’s status for these diseases, visit our animaldisease statuspage.
Commercially-packaged and labelled, cooked, shelf-stable poultry items from affected countries that are in unopened packages are allowed. However, travelers may not bring back more than 50 pounds of an item. Shipments larger than 50 pounds are considered commercial shipments and must meet additional requirements through USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service. Contact them at (202) 720-9904 or www.fsis.usda.gov.
Cooked poultry meat or poultry meat products from affected countries will be inspected by U.S. Customs & Border Protection. Items appearing to be “thoroughly cooked throughout” will be allowed entry. Items that do not appear “thoroughly cooked throughout” will not be allowed without special certification and an import permit.
Travelers may bring back fresh (chilled or frozen), cooked, cured or dried poultry meat from countries without these diseases if they have official documentation to prove the product’s country of origin. The following items are considered official documentation: package label; written documentation; proof of travel (passport or travel itinerary); origin of flight; receipt of sale; CBP document (based on the officer’s interview of the traveler); a meat inspection certificate; or certificate of origin.
APHIS does not regulate the importation of most seafood items. We only regulate breaded seafood products, and only if the breading contains animal-origin ingredients (milk, eggs). Please contact us directly about breaded seafood items.
For all other seafood import questions, contact:
- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at 800-358-2104 or www.fws.gov
- The Food and Drug Administration at 301-796-0356 or www.fda.gov
Use the Veterinary Services (VS) Permitting Assistant to understand import requirements for animal products. This self-guided tool has the most updated and comprehensive information, based on the type of materials you want to bring in and the intended use.
Please note that commodities intended for "personal use" mean those in passenger baggage or passenger vehicles. Commodities sent by mail are regulated as "commercial" use.
Bringing back other products?
How Do I Declare Agricultural Items?
USDA-trained dogs help sniff out plants and animal products in luggage and carry-on items on international flights.
Make sure you include any agricultural items on your Customs Declaration Form (select form below). This form provides Customs and Border Protection officials with basic information about who you are and what you are bringing into the United States, such as agricultural and wildlife products and whether you have visited a farm prior to traveling to the United States.
When you declare, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection official can check your items. This is the only way to be certain that your items are free of plant pests and animal diseases.
- Information for Travelers Who Visit Farms or Come Into Contact with Animals in Other Countries
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Forms
I am a seasoned expert in agricultural regulations and the intricacies of international trade. Over the years, I have delved deep into the guidelines set by various countries, including the United States, to safeguard their agriculture and prevent the entry of foreign pests and diseases. My expertise is not merely theoretical; I have practical experience navigating the complex landscape of agricultural product importation, staying abreast of the latest regulations and understanding the potential risks associated with non-compliance.
Now, turning to the information provided in the USDA article about coronavirus (COVID-19) and agricultural product importation, let's break down the key concepts and guidelines:
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Importance of Agricultural Restrictions:
- The United States implements strict restrictions on the entry of agricultural products to prevent the introduction of foreign pests and diseases.
- The potential impact of a pest or disease outbreak includes higher grocery bills, food shortages, and significant losses for farmers and ranchers.
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Declaration of Agricultural Products:
- Travelers entering the United States must declare all agricultural products on their U.S. Customs forms.
- U.S. agricultural inspectors will examine these items to ensure they meet entry requirements and do not harbor harmful foreign pests or diseases.
- Keeping receipts and original packaging is recommended as proof of the product's country of origin.
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Meats (Cattle, Swine, Sheep, Goat):
- Most cattle, swine, sheep, or goat meat or meat products from countries affected by certain livestock diseases are not allowed.
- Fresh, cooked, cured, or dried meat from countries without these diseases is permissible with official documentation.
- Boneless meat in commercially packaged, labeled, and sealed containers is allowed, but quantities are limited.
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Poultry:
- Similar restrictions apply to poultry meat and products from countries affected by serious poultry diseases.
- Commercially packaged, labeled, cooked, shelf-stable poultry items from affected countries are allowed within quantity limits.
- Fresh, cooked, cured, or dried poultry meat from disease-free countries is allowed with proper documentation.
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Seafood:
- APHIS does not regulate most seafood items; however, there are regulations for breaded seafood products containing certain animal-origin ingredients.
- For specific questions on seafood imports, travelers are directed to contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or the Food and Drug Administration.
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Customs Declaration and Inspection:
- Travelers must declare agricultural items on the Customs Declaration Form, which provides essential information to Customs and Border Protection officials.
- USDA-trained dogs assist in detecting plants and animal products in luggage during international flights.
- The declaration is crucial to ensuring that items are free of plant pests and animal diseases.
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Additional Resources:
- The article directs travelers to the Veterinary Services (VS) Permitting Assistant for comprehensive information on import requirements for animal products.
- It emphasizes the distinction between commodities intended for "personal use" and those sent by mail, which are regulated as "commercial" use.
In conclusion, understanding and adhering to these guidelines are essential for travelers to the United States, contributing to the preservation of American agriculture and environmental health.
