International Traveler: Milk, Dairy, and Egg Products
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.
Milk, Dairy, and Egg Products that You CAN and CANNOT bring back to the United States
Most milk and dairy items from countries with foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) are not allowed. To find out a country’s status for FMD, visit our animal disease status page.
There are three exceptions:
- Liquid milk and milk products for infants or small children are allowed in small quantities (enough for several days’ use)
- Products containing powdered or dry milk (baby/infant formula, baking mixes, soup mixes, drink mixes) are allowed in small quantities, if they are properly labelled.
- Commercially-packaged and labelled, cooked, shelf-stable, fully finished food items in unopened packages are allowed.
Travelers may bring back milk or dairy products from countries without FMD if they have official documentation to prove the product’s country of origin. The following items are considered official documentation: package label; written documentation; proof of travel (passport or travel itinerary); origin of flight; receipt of sale; CBP document (based on the officer’s interview of the traveler); a meat inspection certificate; or certificate of origin.
Exemptions
Certain items may enter from any country. These include:
- Butter
- Butter oil
- Solid hard or soft cheeses (as long as the cheese does not contain meat or pour like a liquid i.e. ricotta or cottage cheese)
Camel Milk
Please contact us directly regarding the requirements for camel’s milk.
Breast Milk
USDA does not regulate breast milk. Please contact the Food and Drug Administration at 301- 796-0356 or www.fda.gov for more information.
USDA does not allow travelers to bring back most eggs or egg products from countries affected with certain serious poultry diseases:
- Highly pathogenic avian influenza
- Virulent Newcastle disease
To find out a country’s status for these diseases, visit our animal disease status page.
There are two exceptions:
- Commercially-packaged and labelled, cooked, shelf-stable, fully finished food items from affected countries that are in unopened packages are allowed.
- Cooked eggs or egg products from affected countries will be inspected by U.S. Customs & Border Protection. Items appearing to be “thoroughly cooked throughout” will be allowed entry. Items that do not appear “thoroughly cooked throughout” will not be allowed without special certification and an import permit.
Travelers may bring back fresh or preserved eggs from countries without these diseases if they have official documentation to prove the product’s country of origin. The following items are considered official documentation: package label; written documentation; proof of travel (passport or travel itinerary); origin of flight; receipt of sale; CBP document (based on the officer’s interview of the traveler); a meat inspection certificate; or certificate of origin.
Egg Shells
Egg shells (with egg white and egg yolk removed) may enter in passenger baggage if they are decorated/etched/painted. They must be clean and dry, and passengers may not bring back more than 12 per person.
Moon Cakes
There are specific requirements for moon cakes entering in passenger baggage:
- Moon cakes that do not contain meat, egg or egg yolk may enter.
- Moon cakes containing egg or egg yolk that appear “thoroughly cooked throughout” are allowed.
- Moon cakes containing egg or egg yolk that do not appear “thoroughly cooked throughout” are not allowed.
- Moon cakes that contain meat are not allowed.
Need Help?
Use the Veterinary Services (VS) Permitting Assistant to understand import requirements for animal products. This self-guided tool has the most updated and comprehensive information, based on the type of materials you want to bring in and the intended use.
Please note that commodities intended for "personal use" mean those in passenger baggage or passenger vehicles. Commodities sent by mail are regulated as "commercial" use.