USA Customs & Quarantine Prohibited Items

These items are strictly prohibited from entering the USA. Even if you declare them, they are still illegal and, therefore, won’t be allowed entry. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection will seize these items.

• Drugs

  This includes narcotics, marijuana and prescription drugs that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration doesn’t approve. Although legal in some states, cannabis products are also not allowed. Typical items used to consume drugs, such as pipes or syringes, are forbidden.

• Weapons and Dangerous Items

  Any items that could be deemed dangerous are forbidden, including certain firearms. The US has strict regulations on firearms that are allowed into the country, so certain firearms and parts, ammunition and silencers are prohibited. This also includes; switchblade knives, brass knuckles, stun guns, fireworks, gunpowder, and any items that could be used for chemical/biological warfare.

• Animal Products and Endangered Wildlife

  Animal products made from endangered species such as ivory or tortoiseshell are forbidden. This also includes any live animals that are endangered species. Any item that features unauthorised wild bird feathers, hunting trophies and endangered species animal by-products are also banned.

• Agricultural Products

  The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration have strict regulations on importing agricultural products. Soil, certain plants, fruits, and vegetables are prone to pests/diseases, and fresh, dried, and canned meats from certain countries are banned. Certain seeds and unprocessed wood products that could affect agriculture and the ecosystem are also prohibited.

• Cultural Artefacts

  Artefacts that hold cultural significance or unauthorised archaeological artefacts are prohibited. This includes certain fossils, Indigenous items, or historical artefacts. Any item that violates international cultural property protection laws is also banned.

• Chemicals and Hazardous Materials

  Certain chemicals such as DDT (dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane), asbestos and Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are banned due to health and environmental concerns. Radioactive materials, toxic pesticides, hazardous waste materials, and specific chemical compounds that can make weapons/illegal drugs are all banned.

• Counterfeit and Pirated Goods

  Counterfeit and pirated goods are also strictly prohibited through customs in the US. This includes fake designer bags, clothing, jewellery and electronics and pirated DVDs and CDs that violate U.S. intellectual property laws.

• Gambling Devices

  Slot machines, electronic gambling devices, lottery devices, roulette wheels and bookmaking equipment that aren’t for use in licensed casinos are banned from import into the US under the Johnson Act federal law. Casinos are legal in Nevada and New Jersey so import laws are more lenient here.

You can bring these items without declaring provided they are for personal use and not commercially prepared.

• Money

  You can bring up to $10,000 in cash, checks or money orders without declaring. This includes the total cash other family members are carrying too.

• Personal Items

  Personal items like clothes, shoes and jewellery can be brought without being declared it doesn't suggest commercial use. This also applies to personal toiletries like shampoo and soap etc.

• Medication

  You can bring prescription medications and over-the-counter medications without declaring, providing you are not importing a large quantity and they are in their original packaging.

• Electronics

  You can bring laptops, cameras, mobile phones, tablets, chargers, headphones, and small accessories related to personal electronics without the need to declare them if they are clearly for personal use.

• Pre-Packaged and Non-Perishable Food

  You can bring packaged and non-perishable packaged snacks such as chocolate and sweets in small amounts. You can bring packaged coffee and tea that doesn’t include milk products. Dried spices, condiments, and certain seasoning packets that don’t include seeds or meat-based additives are also allowed.