Nathalie Chiva wrote:
> On Mon, 09 Jan 2006 22:04:45 +0100, Nathalie Chiva
> > wrote:
>
> >On 9 Jan 2006 09:30:13 -0800, "sueb" > wrote:
> >
> >
> >>An assortment of dried chili peppers would be nice, but you need to
> >>check if you can get them through customs and in what form.
> >
> >I don't know about getting them out of the US, but getting them into
> >France shouldn't be a problem. Now getting food *into* the US, that's
> >another story...
> >
> >Nathalie in Switzerland (can't even send boxes of chocolate anymore)
>
> Well, I checked and the total food ban that was in effect (at least
> that's the info I got then) about a year ago seems to have been lifted
> (but I *distinctly* remember a couple of articles in the newspapers
> here saying that when travelling to the US there was a total food ban,
> and not to bring *anything*).
No such rules do exist or ever existed:
http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/xp/cg...restricted.xml
[...]
Food Products (Prepared)
You may bring bakery items and certain cheeses into the United States. The
APHIS web site [
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/index.shtml ] features a
Travelers Tips section and Game and Hunting Trophies section that offers
extensive information about bringing food and other products into the
country. Many prepared foods are admissible. However, almost anything
containing meat products, such as bouillon, soup mixes, etc., is not
admissible. As a general rule, condiments, vinegars, oils, packaged spices,
honey, coffee and tea are admissible. Because rice can often harbor insects,
it is best to avoid bringing it into the United States
Fruits and Vegetables
Bringing fruits and vegetables can be complicated. For instance, consider
the apple you bought in the foreign airport just before boarding and then
did not eat? Whether or not CBP will allow the apple into the United States
depends on where you got it and where you are going after you arrive in the
United States. The same would be true for those magnificent Mediterranean
tomatoes. Fresh fruits and vegetables can carry plant pests or diseases into
the United States.
One good example of problems imported fruits and vegetables can cause is the
Mediterranean fruit fly outbreak during the 1980s, The outbreak cost the
state of California and the Federal Government approximately $100 million to
get rid of this pest. The cause of the outbreak was one traveler who brought
home one contaminated piece of fruit. It is best not to bring fresh fruits
or vegetables into the United States. However, if you plan to, contact
either CBP or check the Travelers Information section on the USDA-APHIS web
site for a general approved list on items that need a permit.
Meats, Livestock, and Poultry
The regulations governing meat and meat products are very strict. You may
not import fresh, dried, or canned meats or meat products from most foreign
countries into the United States. Also, you may not import food products
that have been prepared with meat.
The regulations on importing meat and meat products change frequently
because they are based on disease outbreaks in different areas of the world.
APHIS, which regulates meats and meat products as well as fruits and
vegetables, invites you to contact them for more information on importing
meats. You may write to USDA-APHIS Veterinary Services National Center for
Import/Export (NCIE), 4700 River Road, Unit 40, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231; or
call 301.734.7830.
[...]