MIAMI – U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) in Florida reminds travelers that certain agriculture products are prohibited entry into the United States. While many agriculture products brought into the U.S. are permissible, other items are prohibited or strictly regulated.
screening passengers in Miami and
across the country.
Each day, CBP helps to prevent the intentional and unintentional introduction of potentially harmful plant pests and foreign animal diseases into the United States at more than 300 ports of entry. CBP agriculture specialists are the first line of defense in the protection of U.S. agriculture, forest, and livestock industries from destructive plant pests and animal diseases. They have extensive training and experience in the biological sciences and agriculture inspection.
Each year, CBP agriculture specialists intercept tens of thousands of “actionable pests” – those identified through scientific risk assessment and study as being dangerous to the health and safety of U.S. agricultural resources.
CBP’s detector dogs are a key tool for screening passengers and cargo to prevent the introduction of harmful plant pests and foreign animal diseases. When it comes to finding prohibited fruit, vegetables, plants, and meat products from high-risk countries, the nose knows. A trained agriculture dog can scan a piece of luggage for smuggled or forgotten fruits in mere seconds.
“CBP agriculture specialists work tirelessly to protect American agriculture from damage and infestation caused by harmful pests and plant diseases,” said Miami International Airport Port Director Christopher Maston. “Agriculture canines serve as Ambassadors for the significance of agricultural quarantine work in South Florida. In addition to their important detection work, agriculture canine teams make the public aware of the vital role that agriculture plays in CBP’s overall mission and in the U.S. economy.”
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. See General Guidelines.
Can I bring it? - Don't pack a pest!
Many agriculture products can bring damaging pests and diseases into the country, check to see what may be harmful.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Florida includes travel and trade facilitation and securing over 1,200 miles of the coastal border. Find out more and get real-time updates at @CBPFlorida on Twitter.