![]() If you are courteous and genuinely apologetic over minor infractions, many officers will let you go with a warning. According to the CBP, “It is illegal to bring drug paraphernalia into the United States unless prescribed for authentic medical conditions such as diabetes.”Ĭourtesy of U.S. Anything with drug paraphernalia on it will be scrutinized and can be fined or seized. Cough medicine and antidepressants get extra attention because they can contain potentially addictive drugs or narcotics. Also avoid carrying more pills than you might need it is permitted to bring in controlled substances under 50 units, but any more requires a prescription.Ĭontrolled substances that are not legally prescribed in the United States are also not permitted. They should be in the original containers. If you’re someone who separates medication into those daily divider cases or combines pills into one container to save space, avoid doing so when traveling abroad. Many of us travel with prescription medication, you CBP requires you to have the actual prescription or a doctor’s note on hand to prove what it is. Arriving with five Gucci bags in your bag will certainly cause suspicion, and it is advisable to keep the receipt and declare these items if you purchase genuine, trademarked goods. Counterfeit items like faux Prada or Gucci bags or bootleg DVDs are verboten. That colorful sombrero from your Mexican vacation could cost you much more than you may have bargained for it, as “any plant or plant product or handicraft item made from straw,” including hats or baskets, must also be declared to an officer to ensure that they are free from pests. 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.” While foreign laws may not be enforceable in the United States, they can cause certain U.S. These laws include export controls and/or national ownership of cultural property. The same goes for colonial paintings from Peru or Khmer sculptures from Cambodia.Īccording to the CBP, “Most countries have laws that protect their cultural property. If you’re a fan of art and cultural treasures, most pre-Colombian sculptures or murals from Central or South American countries are not permitted. Rice is also discouraged since it can harbor insects. Agents may inspect them and let them pass, but it is not always a sure thing. Since meats are usually not allowed, the same goes for things that may contain meat products, like soup mix and bouillon cubes. It’s not just fruit and veggies that can snag you, and things can get really tricky unless you keep track of the rules. Yes, this will add extra time to your screening, but it will save you any confusion or potential fines. If you are unsure, the safest thing to do is declare it so it can be reviewed by an officer. The same holds true for visiting most island locales, even domestic ones like Hawaii. Wonder why these are considered contraband? Many of these items can introduce pests or other harmful things from a foreign environment. More items are forbidden than you realizeįruits, cheese, vegetables, plants, seeds, and meats are the most common items that are listed as prohibited on customs forms. These tips should help you navigate a complicated process and avoid a horror story of your own. If an illegal and undeclared item is discovered, the agent can issue a hefty fine on the spot ($300 is the starting point) and potentially set in motion a series of unfortunate events that will hinder your travels for months to come. Some of the screenings are entirely random, others are prompted by a special X-ray scanner or the sensitive nose of a detector dog trained to sniff out plant- and animal-derived products. That’s mostly due to complex CBP policies and the agency’s ever-evolving rules regarding which edibles, medications, and even souvenirs and cultural artifacts cannot legally be brought into the United States from a foreign country.īefore weary international flyers can exit airports in the U.S.-and before they can catch their flights home at “pre-clearance” customs checkpoints in foreign terminals-CBP agents screen luggage for contraband. Customs and Border Protection horror stories, there is some degree of ignorance, even on the part of the most seasoned globetrotters. ![]() At the heart of many international travelers’ U.S.
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