Pastries inside the check in bags ok?

[sjr09 155]

You can even bring dried fish as well we have it brought in all the time. Much cheaper then buying at any of our local Phil marts. Sop sop

[aaron2020 11,651]

thats not so nice if they will just throw it.. sigh

It's not about being "not so nice" to the international traveler. Certain foods are strictly prohibited from being brought into the country because the food can be dangerous to the US.

Some foods may have pathogens or insects. If a person brings in an infected piece of fruit, it could endanger an entire industry.

For example, the Mediterranean fruit fly caused hundred of millions of dollars in damage to the agriculture industry in California. That original flies may have came from some food brought in by an innocent traveler.

Here is a posting from CBP about the fruit fly; http://www.cbp.gov/xp/CustomsToday/2004/oct_nov/medfly.xml

----------------------

Here is the CBP rule about bringing food into the US.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/arriving_travelers.xml

Bringing Food into the U.S.

(08/30/2012)We regret that it is necessary to take agricultural items from your baggage. They cannot be brought into the United States because they may carry animal and plant pests and diseases. Restricted items include meats, fruits, vegetables, plants, soil, and products made from animal or plant materials.

Agricultural pests and diseases are a threat to U.S. food crops and livestock. Some of these organisms are highly contagious animal diseases that could cause severe economic damage to the livestock industry and losses in production, which would mean increased costs for meat and dairy products. Other pests can affect property values by damaging lawns, ornamental plants, trees, and even homes.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are partners in this effort to protect American agriculture against the introduction of foreign plant and animal pests and diseases at our nation’s ports of entry. USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) develops the policies that determine what agricultural products can come into the country and what products pose a risk and should be kept out. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at ports of entry enforce these agricultural policies. Confiscated items are carefully destroyed in special CBP facilities. For additional information, please visit the CBP Web site. ( www.cbp.gov )

Or write to:

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Office of Field Operations

Agriculture Programs and Trade Liaison

1300 Pennsylvania Ave, NW

Washington, DC 20229

For more information on agricultural policy, please visit APHIS’ Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Web site. ( APHIS’ Plant Protection and Quarantine ) Or call 1-866-SAFGUARD. If you have any questions please write to:

APHIS-PPQ

Quarantine Policy Analysis

and Support Staff

4700 River Road

Unit 60

Riverdale, MD 20737

Edited November 28, 2012 by aaron2020

[bigdog 376]

No fruit, meats or seeds

[RyRo 47]

yay, thanks everyone... this makes me so happy

[Tintin and Mike 127]

Costco has the Philippine Dried Mangoes in a huge pack already although bit costly for a dried fruit but it saves you a lot of trouble with the Customs.

Safe flight!

[EminTX 131]

It also comes down to the person who is inspecting you. My niece had some CANS of soup confiscated because of potential contamination to our livestock. I'm not so sure that there are any known pathogens, insects, or diseases that survive the being processed in a steel can, but okayyyyyy.... (Of course, my own sandwich in a bag in my hand covered in a variety of meats and veggies was perfectly alright.)

Try the suggestions above but don't spend a lot of money on any item, that way if it is taken, it is not gonna hurt so much.

I am not sure what city you are heading to, but down here in south Texas, the mangoes, dried and fresh in several varieties are numerous. I bought a heavy-duty dehydrator when I moved to my house here a few years ago intending to dry the stuff I grow and pick. (Anybody in SW Houston that wants it, lemme know--barely used--I am too lazy.)

[Dave + Loni 10]

I brought dry mango's back to the US with no problems.

[Tahoma 2,292]

Things that can be brought into the US from other countries:

Bamboo, dried poles only

Beads made of seeds (but not jequirity beans)

Breads, cakes, cookies, and other bakery goods

Candies

Cheeses, fully cured (but not cottage cheeses)

Coconuts (but husks or milk must be removed)

Coffee, roasted beans only

Dried foods, including polished rice, beans, and tea

Fish

Flower bulbs (but not crocosomia, gladiolus, and watsonia bulbs from Africa, Argentina, Brazil, France, Italy, Malta, Mauritius, Portugal, or Uruguay)

Flowers, most fresh or dried kinds (but not with roots), except eucalyptus

Fruits, canned or dried products only

Herbarium plants (but not witchweed)

Herbs, dried, for medicinal use

Mushrooms

Nuts (but not chestnuts or acorns or nuts with outer husks)

Sauces, canned or processed

Seaweed

Seeds (Seeds of flowers and vegetables are generally enterable. Seed of woody trees and shrubs require a nursery stock permit from PPQ.)

Shamrocks, without roots or soil

Soup and soup mixes (but not those containing meat)

Spices, dried (but not curry leaves)

Straw animals, hats, baskets, and other souvenirs (but not items stuffed with straw)

Vegetables, canned or processed

My link.

[adiiann 163]

Things that can be brought into the US from other countries:

Bamboo, dried poles only

Beads made of seeds (but not jequirity beans)

Breads, cakes, cookies, and other bakery goods

Candies

Cheeses, fully cured (but not cottage cheeses)

Coconuts (but husks or milk must be removed)

Coffee, roasted beans only

Dried foods, including polished rice, beans, and tea

Fish

Flower bulbs (but not crocosomia, gladiolus, and watsonia bulbs from Africa, Argentina, Brazil, France, Italy, Malta, Mauritius, Portugal, or Uruguay)

Flowers, most fresh or dried kinds (but not with roots), except eucalyptus

Fruits, canned or dried products only

Herbarium plants (but not witchweed)

Herbs, dried, for medicinal use

Mushrooms

Nuts (but not chestnuts or acorns or nuts with outer husks)

Sauces, canned or processed

Seaweed

Seeds (Seeds of flowers and vegetables are generally enterable. Seed of woody trees and shrubs require a nursery stock permit from PPQ.)

Shamrocks, without roots or soil

Soup and soup mixes (but not those containing meat)

Spices, dried (but not curry leaves)

Straw animals, hats, baskets, and other souvenirs (but not items stuffed with straw)

Vegetables, canned or processed

My link.

Thanks for the list. Will need this as my aunt is coming for my child birth. Making list of what she can bring from Philippines.