Thread: Port of Entry Prohibited and Restricted Items

Prohibited and Restricted Items

(05/20/2011)

Absinthe (Alcohol)
Alcoholic Beverages
Automobiles
Biologicals
Ceramic Tableware
Cultural Artifacts and Cultural Property
Defense Articles or Items with Military or Proliferation Applications
Dog and Cat Fur
Drug Paraphernalia
Firearms
Fish and Wildlife
Food Products (Prepared)
Prior Notice for Food Importation
Fruits and Vegetables
Game and Hunting Trophies
Gold
Haitian Animal Hide Drums
Meats, Livestock and Poultry
Medication
Merchandise from Embargoed Countries
Pets
Plants and Seeds
Soil
Textiles and Clothing
Trademarked and Copyrighted Articles

CBP has been entrusted with enforcing hundreds of laws for 40 other government agencies, such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These agencies require that unsafe items are not allowed to enter the United States. CBP officers are always at ports of entry and assume the responsibility of protecting America from all threats.


The products CBP prevent from entering the United States are those that would injure community health, public safety, American workers, children, or domestic plant and animal life, or those that would defeat our national interests. Sometimes the products that cause injury, or have the potential to do so, may seem fairly innocent. But, as you will see from the material that follows, appearances can be deceiving.


Before you leave for your trip abroad, you might want to talk to CBP about the items you plan to bring back to be sure they’re not prohibited or restricted. Prohibited means the item is forbidden by law to enter the United States. Examples of prohibited items are dangerous toys, cars that don’t protect their occupants in a crash, bush meat, or illegal substances like absinthe and Rohypnol. Restricted means that special licenses or permits are required from a federal agency before the item is allowed to enter the United States. Examples of restricted items include firearms, certain fruits and vegetables, animal products, animal by products, and some animals.

Absinthe (Alcohol)
The importation of absinthe is subject to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations (21 C.F.R. 172.510 and the Department of the Treasury’s Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau regulations (27 C.F.R. Parts 13.51, 5.42(a), and 5.65. The absinthe content must be “thujone freeâ€