Passengers arriving in the United States may face penalties of up to $10,000 if they fail to declare food in their luggage.
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) says air travellers must declare all food and agricultural products carried in their luggage when entering the country. Failure to declare them can bring fines and other penalties of up to $10,000.
The US Department of Agriculture sets admissibility rules for fruit, meat, dairy and other plant or animal products, depending on the country or region of origin. CBP says travellers are not penalised simply because an inspector later determines that a declared item cannot enter. The risk of penalties arises when a product is not declared.
The rule covers food in passengers’ personal baggage, not items sent by post or courier. Meat, milk, eggs, poultry and products made from them are prohibited or restricted because they may carry pests or diseases. Almost all fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables are also barred.
The agency advises travellers to check restrictions for specific products and keep receipts and original packaging as proof of origin. CBP Form 6059B can be completed online before or during a trip and is available in several languages, including English, French, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish.