Recently, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seized a batch of seemingly ordinary but prohibited fruits and plants during enforcement on an international border bridge between the United States and Mexico.
According to a press release issued by CBP on July 26, agricultural experts discovered a shipment of undeclared and prohibited agricultural products on July 24 at the Hidalgo International Bridge and imposed a $300 civil penalty on the violating traveler. This incident serves as a reminder for individuals entering the U.S. to abide by strict agricultural quarantine regulations.
During a secondary inspection conducted by CBP agricultural experts on a vehicle handed over by CBP enforcement officers, a significant amount of undeclared agricultural products was found.
While the driver initially claimed to not have any prohibited items, enforcement officers discovered a large quantity of prohibited items in a refrigerated compartment. These items included 6 roots of plant rhizomes for propagation, 1 kilogram of fresh avocado leaves, 1 kilogram of fresh mango leaves, 1 kilogram of fresh guava leaves, two apples, 1 kilogram of pork sausages, two prickly custard apples, 1 kilogram of mango jam, 1 kilogram of rambutans, 1 kilogram of pork, 8 plants for propagation, and 5 kilograms of soil.
CBP expressed that these items pose a threat to U.S. agriculture as they may carry pests or diseases, hence they are strictly prohibited from entering the country. All seized items will be subsequently destroyed, and the driver faces a $300 fine for failure to declare the items truthfully.
Carlos Rodriguez, the port director at the Hidalgo entry point, emphasized the potential consequences of failing to declare prohibited agricultural products, stating that the penalties could far exceed the value of the items themselves. He urged travelers to familiarize themselves with relevant regulations prior to entering the country to avoid unnecessary troubles.
CBP stressed that travelers entering the U.S. are subject to inspection, and carrying prohibited agricultural products can lead to delays and fines ranging from $300 to $1,000.
The Mediterranean fruit fly infestation in California during the 1980s cost the state and federal government approximately $100 million to eradicate. According to CBP, the cause of this outbreak was contaminated fruits brought into the U.S. by a traveler.
To safeguard U.S. agriculture from foreign pests and diseases, CBP agricultural experts rigorously enforce the quarantine regulations set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Certain plants capable of propagation, cuttings, seeds, unprocessed plant products, and some endangered species can enter the U.S. with import permits and other documents; however, some are completely prohibited. Threatened or endangered species allowed for import must have export permits from their country of origin.
Every plant or plant product, including handicrafts made of straw, no matter how seemingly harmless, must be declared and inspected by CBP staff.
Additionally, soil is prohibited from entering the U.S. unless accompanied by an import permit, must be declared, and the permit verified.
CBP advises travelers to review the list of prohibited and restricted items before entry or to declare unknown items to CBP officials during initial inspection to ensure compliance.