Declare All Food at US Entry, Meat and Produce Face Limits
Bringing food into the US, you declare agricultural items: CBP says travelers must declare meats, fruits, vegetables, plants, seeds, soil and animals, whether they’re in checked baggage, carry-on luggage or a vehicle. USDA says that if you declare everything, you won’t face any penalties, even if an inspector decides an item can’t enter.
Undeclared prohibited agricultural items that are found get confiscated, and the civil penalty for a first-time offense with non-commercial quantities can be up to US$1,000. Almost all fresh fruits and vegetables are not allowed; meat, eggs and dairy depend on whether the country of origin has animal diseases; mooncakes with meat are not allowed.
What you can and can’t bring, by USDA category
USDA’s categories for travelers (USDA: traveling from another country):
| Category | What USDA says |
|---|---|
| Fresh fruits and vegetables | Almost all fresh fruits and vegetables, whole or cut, are prohibited; almost all frozen ones are too |
| Canned fruits and vegetables | Commercially canned ones are allowed if declared; home-canned ones are not |
| Dried fruits and vegetables | Most are not allowed; beans, dates, figs, nuts (but not chestnuts or acorns), okra, peas, raisins and Szechwan peppercorns are generally allowed once declared and presented to CBP for inspection |
| Beef, pork, lamb and goat | Most are not allowed from countries with serious livestock diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease and African swine fever; boneless meat that is commercially packaged, labeled, in unopened sealed packages, cooked by a commercial method after packing and shelf-stable is allowed; no more than 50 pounds of an item |
| Poultry | Most is not allowed from areas with highly pathogenic avian influenza or Newcastle disease; commercially packaged, shelf-stable, unopened products are allowed; cooked poultry is inspected by CBP, and items that look thoroughly cooked are allowed |
| Cheese and butter | Hard and soft cheeses and butter may come from any country; not cheese that contains meat or pours like ricotta or cottage cheese |
| Eggs | Most are not allowed from areas with avian influenza or Newcastle disease; commercially packaged, shelf-stable, unopened finished products are allowed |
| Mooncakes | Without meat, egg or egg yolk: allowed; with egg or egg yolk: must look thoroughly cooked; with meat: not allowed |
| Coffee and tea | Roasted coffee in any amount; tea made only of tea leaves in any amount; not products with barberry leaves or Prunus flowers |
| Nuts and spices | Nuts that are boiled, roasted, ground, steamed or otherwise processed are allowed; most dried spices are allowed, except citrus leaves and seeds |
Leave food with pork at home
USDA’s African swine fever page tells travelers: don’t bring foods containing pork when you travel; CBP may dispose of food containing pork or any meat that looks like pork, and that includes homemade dishes, cooked or frozen (USDA: African swine fever).
How to declare
- Declare everything: declare agricultural items in checked bags, carry-ons and vehicles; agriculture specialists at the port of entry decide whether they can enter (CBP: bringing agricultural products into the US).
- Keep receipts and original packaging: USDA recommends keeping receipts and original packaging of agricultural products as proof of origin.
- Items you’re unsure about: check USDA’s agricultural import requirements database (ACIR).
On arrival day you should also check your I-94 and entry stamp; see On Arrival, Check Your I-94 and Entry Stamp at the Airport; for prescription medicine, see Before Moving, Documents by Status and Up to 90 Days of Meds.
What this article did not check
- Country disease lists: USDA’s traveler pages don’t list which countries currently have foot-and-mouth disease, African swine fever or avian influenza, so this article doesn’t say whether Taiwan, Korea or Japan is on them.
- Single items like instant noodles, pork floss and jerky: USDA’s traveler pages don’t cover them item by item; check ACIR before you bring them, or just declare them.
- Seafood: USDA mostly doesn’t regulate it; ask the US Fish and Wildlife Service or FDA. This article did not check.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to declare just snacks and tea?
Yes. CBP says agricultural items must be declared and are subject to inspection; USDA says tea made only of tea leaves can be brought in any amount, but you still declare it.
If I declare something and it can’t enter, will I be fined?
No. USDA says that if you declare everything, you won’t face penalties; the inspector decides whether an item can enter.
What is the fine for not declaring?
CBP says the civil penalty for a first-time offense with non-commercial quantities can be up to US$1,000; commercial quantities are penalized more heavily. Prohibited items that are found get confiscated.
Can I bring mooncakes?
It depends on the filling: without meat, egg or egg yolk, yes; with egg or egg yolk, they must look thoroughly cooked; with meat, no.
Sources and dates checked
All checked on 2026-10-29. This article is not legal advice.
- CBP Agricultural Items (page updated 2025-12-30):https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/agricultural-items
- CBP bringing agricultural products into the US (page updated 2026-06-11):https://www.cbp.gov/travel/clearing-cbp/bringing-agricultural-products-united-states
- USDA APHIS traveling from another country (page updated 2026-03-31):https://www.aphis.usda.gov/traveling-with-ag-products/another-country
- USDA APHIS meat, poultry and seafood (page updated 2026-01-13):https://www.aphis.usda.gov/traveling-with-ag-products/meats-poultry-seafood
- USDA APHIS fruits and vegetables (page updated 2026-01-13):https://www.aphis.usda.gov/traveling-with-ag-products/fruits-vegetables
- USDA APHIS dairy and egg products (page updated 2026-01-13):https://www.aphis.usda.gov/traveling-with-ag-products/milk-dairy-eggs
- USDA APHIS coffee, tea, honey, nuts and spices (page updated 2026-01-13):https://www.aphis.usda.gov/traveling-with-ag-products/coffee-tea-honey-nuts-spices
- USDA APHIS African swine fever page for travelers (page updated 2026-09-16):https://www.aphis.usda.gov/traveling-with-ag-products/asf