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发信人: sunxt (天天＃天天上网天天等奖的天天), 信区: AdvancedEdu
标  题: On Bringing Food, Plant, and Animal Products Into
发信站: BBS 水木清华站 (Sun Apr 26 12:23:10 1998)

[Image]USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Image] Travelers' Tips

On Bringing Food, Plant, and Animal Products Into the United States

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A Special Message for Travelers

     Please take a few minutes to become familiar with restrictions on
     bringing agricultural products into the United States. This
     document lists acceptable agricultural products and tells you
     about other products that require permits or are prohibited.

     The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) places limits on items
     brought to the United States from foreign countries as well as
     those brought to the mainland from Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the
     U.S. Virgin Islands. Prohibited items can harbor foreign animal
     and plant pests and diseases that could seriously damage
     America's crops, livestock, pets, and the environment.

     Because of this threat, you are required to declare any meats,
     fruits, vegetables, plants, animals, and plant and animal
     products you have with you. Your declaration must cover all items
     carried in your baggage and hand luggage or in your vehicle.

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                                  Contents

   * One Piece Can Spell Danger
   * Declarations Prevent Fines
   * Fruits, Vegetables, and Plants
   * Meat and Animal Products
   * Live Animals and Birds
   * Other Biological Materials
   * Soil, Sand, Mineral, and Shells
   * What You Can Bring Back
        o General List of Approved Products
        o Approved Products from Canada
        o Approved Products from Mexico
        o Approved Products from Hawaii
        o Approved Products from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands
   * Information on Other Federal Requirements

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One Piece Can Spell Danger

Travelers are often surprised when told that their "one little piece of
fruit or meat" can cause serious damage. In fact, one item carelessly
discarded can wreak havoc on American crops. For example, it's quite likely
that a traveler carried in the wormy fruit that brought Mediterranean fruit
flies to California in 1979. The 3-year fight to eradicate this pest cost
more than $100 million.

A single link of sausage contaminated with the dreaded virus that causes
foot-and-mouth disease could do similar damage to the livestock business.
Foot-and-mouth disease last struck the United States in 1929. Economists
say that an outbreak today would cost farmers and consumers billions of
dollars in lost production, higher food prices, and lost export markets.

[Image]Declarations Prevent Fines

The declaration you're required to make may be oral, written, or both. If
you're traveling from abroad on a plane or ship, you will be given a
Customs form on which to declare your agricultural products. You will also
be asked to indicate whether you have visited a farm or ranch outside the
United States.

Officers of USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
inspect passenger baggage for undeclared agricultural products. At some
ports, they use beagle dogs to sniff out hidden items. At other ports, they
use low-energy x-ray machines adapted to reveal fruits and meats.

Smugglers get caught. In an average month, more than 3,000 violations are
uncovered. A traveler who fails to declare a prohibited item is fined on
the spot (up to $250), and the item is confiscated.

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[Image]Fruits, Vegetables, and Plants

You may bring in some fruits, vegetables, and plants without advance
permission, provided they are declared, inspected and found free of pests.
However, you must get a permit in advance to bring in certain plants and
plant parts intended for growing. To bring back endangered or threatened
plant species, in some cases you will need permits or certificate from the
country of origin as well as from the U.S. Department of the Interior's
Fish and Wildlife Service.

For information and permit applications, write: USDA, APHIS, Plant
Protection and Quarantine, 4700 River Road, Unit 136, Riverdale, MD
20737-1236, Attn.: Permit Unit.

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[Image]Meat and Animal Products

Regulations prohibit you from bringing in fresh, dried, and canned meats
and meat products from most foreign countries. If any meat is used in
preparing a product, it is prohibited. Commercially canned meat is allowed
if the inspector can determine that the meat was cooked in the can after it
was sealed to make it shelf-stable without refrigeration.

Hunting trophies, game-animal carcasses, and hides are severely restricted.
If you intend to bring them in, write to the following address for
applicable information and permit forms:

        * USDA, APHIS, Veterinary Services, 4700 River Road, Unit 40,
          Riverdale, MD 2073-1231, Attn.: National Center for
          Import/Export.
        * Or send an e-mail to the National Center for Import/Export.
          Be sure and include your name and address so the permit
          forms can be sent to you.

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[Image]Live Animals and Birds

Live animals and birds can enter the United States subject to
certification, permits, inspection, and quarantine rules that vary with the
animal or bird and its origin. Dogs that have been in Central and South
America pose a special health hazard if they have wounds infested with
screwworms. If your dog has even a small wound, be sure to have it treated
before you travel to the United States. The U.S. Public Health Service
further restricts imports of dogs, cats, monkeys, and turtles.

Pet birds you purchased abroad for your personal use can enter, subject to
restrictions by some State departments of agriculture, if quarantined by
USDA for 30 days. Make quarantine arrangements in advance because
facilities are limited and available only at certain ports. For information
and a permit application, write the National Center for Import/Export at
the address previously listed. Or send an e-mail request.

No Federal quarantine is required for personally owned U.S. pet birds
returning to the United States. Bring along a valid U.S. veterinary health
certificate that individually identifies each bird by referring to a leg
band or tattoo. Be sure to keep your bird separated from other birds while
out of country. No Federal quarantine is required for pet birds originating
in Canada.

Other Biological Materials

You must have a permit to bring in most organisms, cells and cultures,
monoclonal antibodies, vaccines, and related substances, whether of plant
or animal origin. This category includes organisms and products used in the
biotechnology industry. For information and a permit application, write the
National Center for Import/Export at the address previously listed. Or send
an e-mail request.

Soil, Sand, Minerals, and Shells

Soil-borne organisms threaten both plants and animals. If you visited a
farm or ranch overseas, agricultural inspectors may have to disinfect your
shoes or clothes. Vehicles must also be cleaned of soil.

You may not bring in any soil, earth, or sand, although 1 ounce or less of
decorative beach sand is allowed. Rocks, minerals, and shells are allowed,
but all sand and soil must be cleaned off. Products grown in soil (like
shamrocks and truffles) must be free of soil.

What You Can Bring Back

When you plan your trip abroad, check the list of approved products. Keep
in mind that this list is not all-inclusive. Also, whether or not an item
you are bringing into this country appears on the list of approved
products, you are still responsible for declaring to a Federal inspection
officer every agricultural product in your possession.

Note that if you leave the United States with any U.S. agricultural
products, you may not be allowed to bring them back in when you return to
the country. Check with a U.S. border official before taking such goods
across the border.

If you're unsure of what's allowed, call for help. Look in your phone book
for the nearest office of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and
Plant Health Inspection Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine; look in
the "blue pages" under "travlers" or "tourists;" or call our central office
at (301) 734-8645. U.S. consulates abroad may also be able to answer many
of your questions. In addition, APHIS' Internet Web page
(http://www.aphis.usda.gov) provides up-to-date information on this and
other related topics.

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General List of Approved Products

This list covers products from all areas except Canada, Mexico, Hawaii,
Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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
Meats, canned (for restrictions, click here)
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 required a nursey 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

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Approved Products From Canada

Most products produced or grown in Canada are allowed. This includes
vegetables; fruits other than black currants; and meat and dressed poultry
(if accompanied by proof of origin).

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Approved Products From Mexico

Products must have been produced or grown in Mexico. For meats, proof of
origin is required.

Acorns
Bananas
Blackberries
Cactus fruits
Cerimans
Coconuts (but husks or milk must be removed)
Corn husks
Dates
Grapes
Limes
Lychees
Meats (but not pork or uncooked poultry)
Melons
Mexican jumping beans
Nuts
Papayas
Pineapples
Raspberries
Strawberries
Tamarind beans pods
Vegetables (but not potatoes, sweetpotatoes, or yams)

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Approved Products From Hawaii

Products must have been produced or grown in Hawaii.

Coconuts (but not for travelers going to Florida)
Coffee (roasted only)
Flowers, including leis (but not mauna loas, gardenias, jade vines, or
roses)
Insects, dried and preserved
Meats
Nuts
Papayas (only if officially certified)
Pineapples
Seeds, including seed jewelry and leis
Sugar (but not sugarcane)
Wood roses

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Approved Products From Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands

Products must have been produced or grown in Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin
Islands.

Avocados
Bananas
Beans, fresh shelled
Breadfruits
Breadnuts
Cacao beans
Christophine fruit (chayotes)
Citrus fruits
Coconuts (but not for travelers going to Florida or Hawaii)
Coriander
Eggplant
Garlic
Genips
Ginger root
Gourds
Herbs, dried
Leeks
Meats
Nuts
Onions
Papayas
Peas
Pineapples
Plantains
Pumpkins
Root crops, most kinds
Seeds, dried
Squash
Strawberries
Tamarind bean pods

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Return to Contents.
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Information on Other Federal Requirements

The U.S. Customs Service collects import duties (tax) and assists the U.S.
Public Health Service in regulating the importation of dogs, cats, monkeys,
and birds. Publications: "Know Before You Go (Customs Hints for Returning
Residents)" and "Pets, Wildlife, U.S. Customs." Address: U.S. Customs
Service, P.O. Box 7407, Washington, DC 20044.

The U.S. Department of State issues passports for U.S. citizens to travel
abroad. Consular officers overseas issue visas for foreign citizens to
enter the United States. Publications: "Your Trip Abroad" and "Foreign
Entry Requirements" from the Consumer Information Center. Contact: Passport
agencies located in Boston, Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami,
New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, Stamford, and
Washington, DC, or a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. For emergency
assistance for U.S. citizens traveling overseas, call (202) 647-5226. For
recorded travel information, call (202) 647-5225.

The Fish and Wildlife Service regulates the import/export of wild and
endangered plants and animals and their products. Publications: "Facts
About Federal Wildlife Laws" and "Buyer Beware Guide." Address: U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service, Office of Management Authority, 4401 North Fairfax
Dr., Arlington, VA 22203.

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Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Program Aid No. 1083
Revised October 1987
Slightly revised September 1993

     The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits
     discrimination in its programs on the basis of race, color,
     national origin, sex, religion, disability, political beliefs,
     and marital or familial status. (Not all prohibited bases apply
     to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require
     alternative means for communication of program information
     (braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the USDA
     Office of Communications at (202) 720-5881 (voice) or (202) 720-
     7808 (TDD).

     To file a complaint, write the Secretary of Agriculture, U.S.
     Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC, 20250, or call (202)
     720-7327 (voice) or (202) 720-1127 (TDD). USDA is an equal
     employment opportunity employer.

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                   [Image] Visitors since April 17, 1997.
                  [Image]Questions or comments? E-mail us.

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