What can you not bring back from Puerto Rico?

USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) protects the health of U.S. agriculture and natural resources against invasive pests and diseases, regulates genetically engineered crops, administers the Animal Welfare Act, and helps people and wildlife coexist.

https://www.aphis.usda.gov › aboutaphis › SA_Overview

Mission - USDA APHIS

(APHIS) prohibits or restricts the entry of many agricultural products from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands into the U.S. mainland, including most fresh fruits and vegetables, certain types of plants and flowers, and certain pork and pork products.

Why can't you bring ham back from Puerto Rico?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is temporarily stopping movement of pork and pork products from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands as part of an effort to protect the U.S. mainland from African swine fever (ASF).

Do you go through customs coming back from Puerto Rico?

Visa & Passport Requirements

Even though Puerto Rico is located in the Caribbean, it is a US territory which means US citizens are free to travel to and from the island with ease. If you're a US citizen, you won't have to go through customs or present your passport when you get to Puerto Rico.

How many bottles can you bring back from Puerto Rico?

1L of alcoholic beverages for individuals above 21 years old. Cigarettes, cigar and alcohol do not apply to returning residents from a USA port of departure. Passengers from a USA port of departure are not allowed to purchase at duty-free shops in the USA if their final destination is Puerto Rico.

Can you bring back avocados from Puerto Rico?

Passengers flying from Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands to the U.S. mainland cannot take most fresh fruits and vegetables due to the risk of spreading invasive plant pests.

What can you not bring back from Puerto Rico?

What food can I bring back from Puerto Rico?

Processed, prepared foods from Puerto Rico are generally admissible, but you must present all food, plants, and other agricultural items to the USDA inspector at the airport before you leave Puerto Rico.

What food is not allowed in U.S. customs?

Meat, milk, egg, poultry, and their products, including products made with these materials are either prohibited or restricted from entering the United States.

Can you take shells from Puerto Rico?

USDA does not require a permit to bring saltwater sea shells into the country because, if cleaned properly, they do not pose a significant pest or disease threat to agriculture. To avoid complication, you must make sure the shells are as clean as possible and do not contain any dirt, which can carry microorganisms.

Do you need to declare alcohol at customs?

Federal and state regulations allow you to bring back one liter of an alcoholic beverage for personal use duty-free. However, states may allow you to bring back more than one liter, but you will have to pay any applicable Customs duty and IRT.

Can you check alcohol in luggage?

Checked Bags: Yes

Alcoholic beverages with more than 24% but not more than 70% alcohol are limited in checked bags to 5 liters (1.3 gallons) per passenger and must be in unopened retail packaging. Alcoholic beverages with 24% alcohol or less are not subject to limitations in checked bags.

Do you need papers to come back from Puerto Rico?

If your driver's license or government-issued ID isn't a Real ID, then you'll need your passport to travel to both Puerto Rico and other states of the United States.

Do I need a negative test to enter the US from Puerto Rico?

Yes, the requirement to present a negative COVID-19 viral test result or documentation recovery from COVID-19 also applies to air travel to US territories. U.S. territories include American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Does Puerto Rico stamp your passport?

All you will need is your flight and accommodations booked and you'll be on your way. Puerto Rico is a unique country in the Caribbean for not needing your passport. Most of the other countries are not US territories.

What is the Jones law in Puerto Rico?

President Woodrow Wilson signed the Jones-Shafroth Act (1917) on March 2, 1917, giving Puerto Ricans U.S. statutory citizenship. This act also separated Puerto Rico's government into Executive, Judicial, and Legislative branches, and endowed Puerto Ricans with a bill of rights.

Why can't you bring back pork from Puerto Rico?

From Puerto Rico to the U.S. Mainland

These products include certain pork and pork products, most fresh fruits and vegetables, and certain types of plants and flowers. That's because these items could harbor a dangerous stowaway—an invasive pest or disease.

Do you have to declare food in checked luggage?

Yes, you may pack food in your carry-on or checked bag, but remember all food must undergo x-ray screening. Foods that are liquids, gels, or aerosols must comply with the 3-1-1 liquids rule. TSA officers make the final decision on whether certain items are permitted into the secured areas of the airport.

Can you take alcohol through security in hand luggage?

Wine and hard alcohol in your carry-on or cabin baggage is generally NOT allowed. This is because liquids in quantities larger than 100 ml (3.4 oz.) cannot be placed in your carry-on. An exception to the carry-on rule is made for wine and other spirits purchased in duty-free stores beyond security checkpoints.

What happens if you forget to declare alcohol at customs?

The primary penalty a person will face when failing to disclose any item through the United States Customs and Border Protection is the seizure and loss of the property. This generally starts when clearing customs when arriving in the country if no declaration is made.

How many bottles of alcohol can you bring through customs?

There is no federal limit on the amount of alcohol a traveler may import into the United States for personal use, however, large quantities might raise the suspicion that the importation is for commercial purposes, and an U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer could require that you comply with the ...

What food can I bring from Puerto Rico to USA?

Note: Commercially canned and thoroughly cooked foods are permitted. All permissible agricultural products are subject to inspection. For more information, please visit APHIS' Web site at www.aphis.usda.gov/travel.

Do you have to declare seashells at customs?

Seashells. Although many varieties of seashells collected from saltwater beaches are enterable without restriction, certain countries limit the collection, sale, and export of shells and shell products.

Can I take Coral Home from Puerto Rico?

Live corals in water and a clear transparent container are allowed after inspection by the TSA officer. For more prohibited items, please go to the 'What Can I Bring?' page.

What food must be declared at customs?

All travelers entering the United States are REQUIRED to DECLARE meats, fruits, vegetables, plants, seeds, soil, animals, as well as plant and animal products (including soup or soup products) they may be carrying. The declaration must cover all items carried in checked baggage, carry-on luggage, or in a vehicle.

What needs to be declared at U.S. Customs?

You must declare all items you purchased and are carrying with you upon return to the United States, including gifts for other people as well as items you bought for yourself. This includes duty-free items purchased in foreign countries, as well as any merchandise you intend to sell or use in your business.

Can I bring a sandwich through U.S. customs?

As a general rule, processed foods for personal consumption or for family/friend gatherings are allowed. This typically means food that's commercially packaged, or thoroughly cooked throughout.