Predeparture Passenger Baggage Inspection Notice for Travelers From the U.S. Virgin Islands to the U.S. Mainland

Plant Protection & Quarantine

October 2005

American agriculture is under constant threat of attack from countless enemies. These enemies are often microscopic and include foreign plant pests and diseases. Every traveler, including those going from the U.S. Virgin Islands to the U.S. mainland, may unknowingly carry these hitchhikers, which could seriously damage American agriculture.

All travelers’ baggage moving from the U.S. Virgin Islands to the U.S. mainland is subject to inspection. These inspections are conducted by officials of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) prior to your departure from the airport. Please be prepared to open and close your own baggage. If you have any agricultural items with you, please tell the inspector. Failure to do so can result in delays and fines of $1,000 or more.

Agricultural Items From Puerto Rico Permitted
Into the Mainland (after inspection)

Allium spp. (includes onion, garlic, and chives)
Amaranth, Amaranthus spp. (leaf, stem)
Anise
Annona spp. (leaf)
Arracacia xanthorrhiza
Arrowroot
Artichoke, Jerusalem
Asparagus
Avocado
Balsam apple
Bamboo shoots
Banana (fruit, leaf without stalk or midrib)
Basil
Bay leaves, laurel
Beans, shelled (faba, lima, string)
Beans, in pods (faba, lima, string)—Have geographic
restrictions. For complete details, go to
<http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/manuals>.
Beet
Bitter melon
Brassica oleracea (includes cabbage, broccoli, brussels
sprouts, cauliflower, kale, and collards)
Breadfruit, Artocarpus spp.
Breadnut
Cacao bean pod
Cannonball fruit
Cantaloupe
Carrot
Cassava
Celery
Chamomile, Anthemis spp.
Chayote
Chervil
Chickory
Chinese waternut
Chrysanthemum spp. (leaf, stem)
Cilantro
Citrus (grapefruit, orange, lemon, lime)
Coconut
Collard
Corn (on the cob only)
Cornsalad, Vallerianella spp.
Cucumber (includes Angola cumcumber,
Sicania odorata)
Cyperus corn
Dandelion greens (leaf, stem)
Dasheen, Colocasia, Caladium spp., and
Xanthosoma spp.
Eggs
Eggplant
Endive
Ethrog (fruit)
False coriander
Fennel
Flowers (fresh, cut, or dried)
Genip
Ginger root
Gourd
Guava (leaf)
Herbs (dried or cured)
Honeydew melon
Horseradish, Armoracia spp.
Indigo, Indigofera spp.
Insects (dried or preserved)
Jackfruit
Kale
Kudzu—If not seed, tuberous roots, or stems with
node (must not be capable of propagation).
Agricultural Inspection Notice
Plant Protection and Quarantine October 2005
APHIS
Lambsquarter
Lemongrass, Cymbopogon citratus
Leren
Lettuce
Lily bulb, edible
Lotus root
Maguey
Mangosteen
Marjoram, Origanum spp. (leaf, stem)
Mint, Mentha spp.
Mushrooms
Mustard greens
Oregano, Origanum spp. (leaf, stem)
Palm heart
Papaya
Parsley
Parsnip
Pepper
Peas, Pisum sativum (in pod or shelled)
Pet birds—Entry requirements vary depending on the
origin of the bird. Please consult USDA–APHIS’
Program Aid No. 1832, “Importing a Pet Bird: Special
Rules for Bringing Pet Birds of Non-U.S. Origin Into
the United States,” for details on the entry requirements
for pet birds.
Pineapple
Plantain (fruit, leaf without stalk or midrib)
Plant cuttings and plants without soil
Pokeweek greens (leaf, stem)
Potato
Pumpkin
Purslane
Radish
Rhubarb
Rosemary (leaf)
Rutabaga
St. John’s bread
Salsify
Savoy
Snail shells (if empty and thoroughly cleaned)
Sorrel, Rumex spp.
Spinach
Squash
Stinking-toe (pod)
Strawberry
Sweet potato (leaf only)
Swiss chard
Tamarind bean pods
Taro, Colocasia and Caladium spp.
Tarragon
Thyme
Tomato
Truffle
Turnip
Vegetable marrow
Water chestnut
Watercress
Watermelon
Yam, Dioscorea spp.
Yautia (tanier), Xanthosoma spp.
Note: Commercially canned and thoroughly cooked
foods are permitted. All permissible agricultural products
are subject to inspection.
Agricultural Items From Puerto Rico Not Permitted
Into the Mainland
Cactus
Cotton, cotton cuttings
Fruits (fresh)—All fruits are prohibited except those on
the preceding list.
Insects (live)
Plants in soil
Seed cotton and cottonseed
Snails (land)
Seeds or nuts (pulpy)
Soil
Sugarcane
Sweet potato
Vegetables (fresh)—All vegetables are prohibited
except those on preceding list.

Additional Information

Lists are subject to change. For more information, visit the APHIS Web site at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/manuals or call the
USDA office at the airport:

St. Croix (340) 778–1696
St. Thomas (340) 776–2787

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national
origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic
information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program.
(Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program
information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720–2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C.
20250–9410, or call (800) 795–3272 (voice) or (202) 720–6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer
Safeguarding American Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service • United States Department of Agriculture

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