azeera_2000
 |
Prohibited and Restricted Items -- Examples of items that you are forbidden to bring into the U.S. are drug paraphernalia (unless you have medical permission for its use), illegal substances (including medications that are not legal in the U.S. or not sold without a doctor's prescription) and dangerous toys.
Generally, U.S. law forbids us to bring in any goods from countries on which travel restrictions are in place -- Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Serbia and Sudan. (The Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department enforces this ban.) These restrictions allow travelers to bring back informational materials (such as books, tapes, recordings or films) back from all these countries -- with the exception of Iraq. If you have been granted government permission to travel to these countries and would like to bring back some things, you will need a specific license (rarely granted) from the Office of Foreign Assets Control.
Other items are restricted, which means that special permission is required from a federal agency before the item may enter the U.S.. This list includes the following:
* Meat products -- These stringent laws say that fresh, canned or dried meat or meat products may not be brought into the United States from most foreign countries. Since these rules often change, the CBP recommends that you contact the USDA-APHIS Veterinary Services, National Center for Import/Export (NCIE) in Riverdale, Maryland for the latest information on disease outbreaks affecting meat and meat products.
* Food products -- Bakery goods and certain cheeses are allowed into the U.S.. (Again, check with APHIS, for a complete list of restricted and prohibited food products.) Some imported foods are also subject to requirements of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
* Fish, wildlife and products made from them -- These are subject to state laws, import and export restrictions, prohibitions, permits or certificates as well as quarantine requirements. For details, contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service before you leave if you plan to bring back any wild birds, land or marine mammals, reptiles, fish, shellfish, mollusks or invertebrates or parts of these (such as feathers, bones or fur) or products made from these parts (such as ivory combs or tortoiseshell boxes). We must be aware of endangered species and products made from these species and must obtain permits from Fish and Wildlife to import them. This list includes any kind of ivory (except from the warthog or unless the ivory product is an antique and can be documented as being at least 100 years old); there are specific laws pertaining to each kind of ivory (from African elephants, Asian elephants, whales, etc.) so make sure you know the law before you consider purchasing ivory in a foreign country. (Contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at 1-800-358-2104.) These items are dealt with only at certain Customs entry ports; contact Customs for a list.
* Fruits and vegetables -- This one is not as easy. Whether you will be allowed to keep a vegetable or piece of fruit will depend on where you got it and where youÂ’re going after you arrive in the U.S.. (Remember, the Mediterranean Fruit Fly infestation in the U.S. in the late 1980s? That problem, which cost millions of dollars in American crops, began with one traveler who brought home one piece of contaminated fruit, according to CBP officials.) It's just easier not to bring fruits and vegetables back, but if you're interested in learning more, contact APHIS for a copy of TravelerÂ’s Tips, which includes a complete list of restrictions and of items for which you must get a government permit.
* Plants or plant products -- Every last one of these (seeds, cuttings, plants, etc.) must be declared and brought out for inspection -- no matter how clean or pest-free they may appear. Many require import or export permits and some are completely forbidden.
* Drugs and medications -- The FDA forbids the importation (either on your person or by mail) of medications, narcotics or devices that it has not approved for use in the United States or has approved for use only with a doctor's prescription. These include non-traditional treatments for cancer, AIDS, arthritis or other medical conditions. These items will be confiscated even if you acquired them through a foreign doctor's prescription. |
Travel
Forum 
United States 
No Spam
Adult 
Gambling
Unfinished
Deception
Plagiarism
Not English
