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APHIS Home Page

Predeparture Passenger Baggage Inspection Notice for Travelers from Puerto Rico to the U.S. Mainland

Plant Protection & Quarantine

January 2003

American agriculture is under constant threat of attack from countless enemies. These enemies are often microscopic and include plant pests and diseases. Every traveler, including those traveling from Puerto Rico to the U.S. mainland, may unknowingly carry these hitchhikers that could seriously damage American agriculture across U.S. borders.

All passenger baggage traveling from Puerto Rico to the U.S. mainland is subject to predeparture inspection. These inspections take place prior to departure at the airport by the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)inspectors. 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):

Avocados
Banana leaves
Beans, shelled
Breadnut
Breadfruit
Chayote
Cocoa beans
Coconuts
Coriander
Cucumber
Eggs
Eggplant
Flowers, fresh cut or dried
Garlic
Genips
Gingerroot
Gourds
Herbs, dried or cured
Insects, dried or preserved
Pet birds—Entry requirements vary depending on the origin of the bird. Please consult USDA or APHIS’ Publication 1083 “Traveler’s Tips” for details on the entry requirements for pet birds.
Papaya
Plantain leaves
Plant cuttings
Plants without soil
Pigeon peas, out of pod
Pineapple
Seeds, dried
Snail shells, if empty and thoroughly cleaned
Sugar cane, must be peeled, cut, and free of knots
Sweet potatoes, must be cooked
Tamarind bean pods
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:

Citrus leaves
Cotton cuttings
Fruits, fresh—All fruits are prohibited except those on the above list.
Insects, live
Plants in soil
Seed cotton and cottonseed
Snails (land)
Soil
Vegetables, fresh—All vegetables are prohibited except those on above list.

Lists are subject to change. For more information, visit the USDA office at the airport or call:

Aguadilla (787) 882–3515
Mayaguez (787) 831–3314/3322/3319
Ponce (787) 841–3135
Roosevelt Roads (787) 865–1330
San Juan (787) 253–4505/4653/4651

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (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 USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326–W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250–9410 or call (202) 720–5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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