USA Customs Regulations for Fruit & Nuts

The U.S. Customs Department is charged with protecting the the United States by monitoring the items that come through its borders. Among their chief concerns are agricultural products, such as fruits and nuts.

History

U.S. Customs started to address the need to inspect plants crossing the border after the Plant Quarantine Act of 1912 established the Federal Horticultural Board. Uniformed inspectors were placed at ports of entry to examine agriculture products to determine if they could pose a threat to the country.

Significance

Customs requires visitors to declare all agricultural products by checking “Yes” on Question 11 of the CBP Declaration Form 6059B. It is important to inspect all foreign food products because they might contain pests or diseases that could disrupt the agriculture and ecology of the United States.

Considerations

If you are carrying fruits or nuts into the country, they will be inspected by a U.S. Customs agent before they are allowed into the country. Certain items are granted entry without inspection. These include canned fruits, Cannonball fruit, Chinese water chestnuts, Singhara nut (Trapa bispinosa) and any other nut, provided that they are only roasted.

References

• Bringing Agricultural Products Into the United States
• US Customs and Border Protection Timeline