Taking a flight has become almost routine for many people, and security checks are one of the most tedious procedures. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) enforce strict regulations to prevent the entry of prohibited, contaminated, or illegal items. Furthermore, as reported on the airlines’ official websites, if a passenger fails to declare a dangerous item, they will be violating U.S. federal law; this means they could face a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Prohibited items will be immediately confiscated and cannot be recovered. In some cases, passengers may receive fines, as mentioned above, or even face legal action.
Drinks: must contain between 24% and 70% alcohol by volume
Among the strictly prohibited items are some alcoholic beverages and certain foods. Alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content exceeding 70% by volume may not be transported. Beer, wine, or other alcoholic beverages may be carried as long as they do not exceed 5 liters total per traveler and must contain between 24% and 70% alcohol by volume. Finally, open or improperly sealed beverages may not be transported.
Regarding food, fruits, vegetables, and other agricultural products are prohibited. Importing these products requires a permit from APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service). Items that cannot be brought into the United States are those that would harm the health of the community, public safety, workers, children, and animal and plant life.
Fresh fruits and vegetables can introduce pests or diseases into the country
Among the prohibited foods, the most notable are fresh, frozen, dried, cured, or cooked meats. Importing them from most countries is prohibited. However, if they are canned and unopened, they can be imported, except if it’s beef, cow, or lamb, and comes from a country affected by mad cow disease (BSE). This is because both fresh fruits and vegetables can introduce pests or diseases into the country. This was demonstrated in some cases, such as the Mediterranean fruit fly outbreak during the 1980s, which cost the state of California and the federal government approximately $100 million to eliminate, according to the official CBP website.
Meat can be imported from Canada
Some countries have different rules, such as Canada. All types of fruits and vegetables are allowed from neighboring countries, but it’s a good idea to check the database, as it’s constantly being updated. Not only is it important that the fruits and vegetables be imported from Canada, they must also be purchased directly in the country. It’s also true that meat can be imported from Canada, but everything must be properly labeled and packaged.
Additionally, pork rinds cannot be imported into the country if they come from a country affected by swine flu or foot-and-mouth disease. They require an official certificate issued by the government of the country of origin. Eggs of any kind, whether raw or cooked, from countries with Exotic Newcastle Disease or avian flu are also prohibited. The exception is fully cooked eggs from Mexico, which are permitted.
Medications or archaeological, cultural or religious artifacts
Certain medications are also prohibited. They may only be transported if they are in their original packaging, accompanied by a medical prescription, and in reasonable quantities. Controlled medications must be expressly declared. As well as the entry of archaeological, cultural, or religious artifacts, such as pre-Columbian artifacts, is also prohibited. If you are traveling with personal religious items, it is recommended that you notify the TSA in advance.
As we can see, there are some restrictions and the law can change, so it’s recommended to stay up-to-date and always check official websites for information.
