Bringing Fruits and Others into United States

[meandterry 3]

Hi to all Vj family,

I am not sure where to post or where to asks about my worries, I am from Philippines and I want to bring some fruits like Mango fresh but I don't know what USCIS site to look the DO's and Don'ts.

My hubby also asks me to bring ground Coffee like 15kilos, I am allowed to bring in my luggage?

Thank you so much for your help.

Chona

[Cathi 5,784]

fresh fruits and veggies are not allowed. You realize we have mango in the US...

[meandterry 3]

Thank you, Still different variant of Mango.

Thank you so much I appreciated.

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

If gets pretty complex the instructions are here http://www.aphis.usda.gov/wps/portal/aphis/ourfocus/planthealth/sa_international/sa_travel?1dmy&urile=wcm%3apath%3a%2Faphis_content_library%2Fsa_resources%2Fsa_traveler%2Fct_fruit_and_vegetables and the listing is here https://epermits.aphis.usda.gov/manual/index.cfm?NEW=1&REGION_ID=201&ACTION=countrySummCommPI

Following Mango from Philippines it is only allowed as a commercial import with special packing

The following food items are generally allowed entry:

• Condiments such as oil, vinegar, mustard, catsup, pickles, syrup, honey without honey combs, jelly, and jam.
• Foodstuffs such as bakery items, candy, and chocolate.
• Hard cured cheeses without meat, such as parmesan or cheddar.
• Canned goods and goods in vacuum- packed jars (except those containing meat or poultry products) for personal use.
• Fish or fish products for personal use.
• Powdered drinks sealed in original containers with ingredients listed in English.
• Dry mixes containing dairy and egg ingredients (such as baking mixes, cocoa mixes, drink mixes, instant cake mixes, instant pudding mixes, liquid drink mixes containing reconstituted dry milk or dry milk products, potato flakes, and infant formula) that are commercially labeled, presented in final finished packaging, and require no further manipulation of the product are generally allowed.

Remember, you must declare all food and agricultural products, including those listed above, to a CBP agriculture specialist or officer when you arrive in the United States.

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

As to coffee

Importing coffee, tea or spices for personal use

What are the requirements for importing coffee, tea or spicesfor personal use?

There are no restrictions on the importation of coffee, tea or spices for personal use, although they may be subject to Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspections if a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer suspects contamination or insect infestation of the product. For more information from FDA call 1-888-723-3366.Contact FDA.

Please note that tea or spices containing fruit or vegetable leaves or seeds, including citrus leaves or seeds, are typically prohibited.

If you are ordering these items from a foreign business, that business will be required to file Prior Notice with FDA. These requirements DO NOT apply to food accompanying a traveler into the U.S. or being sent to someone in the U.S. by another individual.

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[novedsac 355]

fresh fruits and veggies are not allowed. You realize we have mango in the US...

Obviously you've not enjoyed the fresh mangoes in PI … there's no equal here in the US no matter how hard you try, no matter how much you pay

[novedsac 355]

Please don't bring fresh fruit/vegetables into the US.

You likely have no control of whether they carry pests/disease which may have little resistance here in the US and could potentially devastate local crops and/or species.

Failure to declare fruit/vegetables at Customs could result in a fine of a few hundred dollars.

Coffee shouldn't be an issue if it's been processed (dried, roasted).

[namour7997 2]

I miss Philippine mangoes and it's mango season in the Philippines now.

Last time, I brined unripe mangoes and had them in a jar. Technically, they were processed and not fresh but still retained their fresh taste and texture.

Hopefully, this tip helps you bring in some of those Philippine mangoes - best mangoes ever.

[JohnR! 5,495]

Hi to all Vj family,

I am not sure where to post or where to asks about my worries, I am from Philippines and I want to bring some fruits like Mango fresh but I don't know what USCIS site to look the DO's and Don'ts.

My hubby also asks me to bring ground Coffee like 15kilos, I am allowed to bring in my luggage?

Thank you so much for your help.

Chona

You can't bring any fresh fruits or vegetables, so don't even bother packing them.

However, you can bring roasted coffee without any problems. Consider buying the vacuum sealed packages as they last longer.

Good luck!

Edited April 15, 2014 by Gegel

[Girl from Celebes 588]

Mangoes in the US are totally different from other variant mangoes in Asia. I specifically missed Indonesian tropical fruits. Also sweet soy sauce that hardly to find in Key West. Wish I could've bring more when I came before. . I only brought one bottle and now is empty.

[Boiler 46,106]

Reminds me of when I flew in once behind a plane from I guess Chile or Peru, average height seems to be 4' 6" anyway.

Customs were having a field day, extra sniffer dogs brought in.

[flora01 37]

Hi to all Vj family,

I am not sure where to post or where to asks about my worries, I am from Philippines and I want to bring some fruits like Mango fresh but I don't know what USCIS site to look the DO's and Don'ts.

My hubby also asks me to bring ground Coffee like 15kilos, I am allowed to bring in my luggage?

Thank you so much for your help.

Chona

Its quite amusing to see a post about bringing fruits from other country,where people usually are worried about bringing family members and spouse to US.

By the way how many mangoes u planning to bring and how many days they gonna last?

The quantity 15kilos definitely gonna look suspicious to USCIS.

[Converts 9]

Its quite amusing to see a post about bringing fruits from other country,where people usually are worried about bringing family members and spouse to US.

By the way how many mangoes u planning to bring and how many days they gonna last?

The quantity 15kilos definitely gonna look suspicious to USCIS.

I think CBP handles that, not USCIS. OP, I brought a lot of ground coffee in the US, no problem as long as it's not for commercial purposes. I even had them mailed from Malaysia to the US and still never encountered any problems.

[Ortolan 381]

If you try to bring any fruits, vegetables, or meats into the country, it'll be confiscated. So just don't bother. I've brought coffee, chocolates and cheeses in from Holland and they didn't blink at all, no problem....but any vegetable matter (like coconuts or mangoes or anything with seeds or spores) you'll lose it.

[2ndMessiah 184]

How do you plan to keep the fruit fresh anyway. I am sure the flight(s) are long from the Philippines.

And bringing coffee to the US is a bit like carrying coal to Texas.