International Traveler: Fruits and Vegetables

Last Modified: Marzo 17, 2024

The United States restricts or prohibits the entry of many agricultural products, which can carry foreign pests and diseases that harm American agriculture and our environment. Help us keep American agriculture healthy by following the guidance on this page about products you may want to bring into the United States.

Travelers entering the United States must declare all agricultural or wildlife products.

Travelers entering the United States must declare all agricultural or wildlife products to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials. You must also tell them if you visited a farm or were in contact with animals before traveling to the United States.

U.S. agricultural inspectors will examine your items to be sure they meet entry requirements and do not harbor harmful foreign pests or diseases. U.S. inspectors have the authority to make a final determination about whether your products can enter the country. We recommend that you keep receipts and original packaging of agricultural products as proof of their country of origin.

As long as you declare all of the agricultural products you are bringing with you, you will not face any penalties—even if an inspector determines that they cannot enter the country.

Fruits and Vegetables that You CAN and CANNOT bring back to the United States

Almost all fresh fruits and vegetables (whole or cut) are prohibited from entering the United States because of the potential pest and disease risks to American agriculture.  This includes fresh fruits or vegetables given to you on your airplane or cruise ship.  Please plan to leave them behind.

As with fresh fruits and vegetables, almost all frozen fruits and vegetables are prohibited from entering the United States because some pests and diseases can survive very cold temperatures.  Please plan to leave them behind.

Travelers may bring commercially canned fruits and vegetables into the United States as long as you declare them on your U.S. Customs form.  Home-canned products are not allowed entry because canning practices can vary and may not remove all pest and disease risks.

Most dried fruits and vegetables are not allowed into the United States without meeting special requirements to prevent the introduction of pests and diseases. 

The following dried products are generally allowed but you must declare and present them to U.S. Customs and Border Protection for inspection:

  • Beans
  • Dates
  • Figs
  • Nuts (but not chestnuts or acorns)
  • Okra
  • Peas
  • Raisins
  • Szechwan peppercorns

Need Help?

If you can't find your commodity listed above, browse the Agricultural Import Requirements Database.

If you still have questions about a particular plant or plant products (fruits, vegetables, plant parts, seeds, soil, or souvenirs made from wood or plants), contact us.

Phone: 877-770-5990 (toll-free)

Email: plantproducts.permits@usda.gov