The customs and security checks for entry into the United States are very strict. Friends who are in the process of immigrating to the United States or applying for U.S. investment immigration must carefully understand the detailed list of prohibited items for entry into the United States.
What items are prohibited from being brought into the United States? Experts from WorldWay Immigration have compiled the following detailed list based on the experiences of those immigrating to the United States for your reference:
1. Cash
If you are carrying more than $10,000 or its equivalent in currency, you must declare it on the U.S. customs declaration form; otherwise, it may be confiscated. The United States has no foreign exchange controls, and there are no quantity limits on various gold coins and bars.
2. Counterfeit or Imitation Goods
Counterfeit American books, audio recordings, and video tapes, as well as imitation goods, including counterfeit American brand clothing, shoes, hats, electronic products, etc., are strictly prohibited. If discovered, fines can reach thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars, and legal action may also be taken.
3. Liquids
Liquids, aerosols, or gel containers in carry-on luggage must be 100 milliliters or less. All containers must be sealed in a transparent plastic bag with a capacity of one liter, and each person is limited to one plastic bag. The capacity of the plastic bag must not exceed one liter, which is approximately 20 cm or 15X25 cm.
4. Tobacco and Alcohol
Each adult may bring 0.95 liters of alcohol into the United States duty-free, or 300 cigarettes, or 50 cigars, or 1.35 kilograms of tobacco (not from Cuba). Items exceeding these limits must pay excess duties upon entry.
5. Meat Products
All types of meat, unprocessed leather, or animal pelts cannot be brought into the country without special permission. All chicken, duck, goose, pig, cow, sheep, deer, and horse meat are prohibited. It does not matter if the meat is sealed, vacuum-packed, or wrapped in multiple plastic bags; whether it is shredded meat, sausage, mooncakes, cookies, ham, canned meat, cured meat, fresh meat, smoked meat, jerky, meat pies, meat dumplings, instant noodles containing meat, non-canned or cured fish and fish roe, poultry eggs, etc., are all not allowed.
Additionally, it is important to remind everyone that any items made from cat or dog fur are strictly prohibited from entering the United States. If you have any dog fur blankets, gloves, or items that look like dog fur, it is best not to bring them.
6. Plant Products
Do not bring any fresh fruits, vegetables, plants, seeds, or plant products into the country. Special needs must be authorized. The reason for this regulation is that not only in the United States but in many countries around the world, there is a strong effort to prevent the spread of insects and plant pests from one country to another. Therefore, insects, except for specimens, are not allowed to be brought into the United States.
7. Pharmaceuticals
Common prescription medications can be carried through security, but you may be asked to provide proof of need. Traditional Chinese medicine products must not contain parasitic plants. Precious traditional Chinese medicinal materials such as snake gall, leopard bone, tiger skin, deer antler, etc., are classified as endangered species and are prohibited from being brought into the United States. Parasitic plants such as Cuscuta and Dendrobium are also prohibited, and substances containing cocaine are banned, including dried tangerine peel used in traditional Chinese medicine.
8. Canned Foods
Americans believe that canned foods from China generally do not have ingredient labels, leading to quality inspection issues. Therefore, these difficult-to-detect canned foods are also illegal to bring into the country. For example: medicinal wines, bird's nest, purple glutinous rice, peanuts, dairy products (including milk, instant milk tea, milk candy, milk-based desserts, cheese, and cheese products), and canned foods, etc.
9. Specific Products
Products from certain countries sanctioned by the United States—including those from North Korea or Cuba—cannot be brought into the United States.
10. Dangerous Goods
Of course, various drugs, firearms, and all types of flammable and explosive dangerous goods are also prohibited. However, the United States allows travelers to carry small knives not exceeding 2.36 inches in length and 0.5 inches in width onto airplanes.
Experts from WorldWay Immigration kindly remind friends immigrating to the United States to bring as few items as possible when entering the United States. American supermarkets are very convenient, and anything you want can be purchased in the United States. Do not let small items lead to being sent to U.S. prison or being barred from entering the United States for years, as this could severely impact the immigration process.
As a leading institution in domestic investment immigration, WorldWay Immigration provides comprehensive landing and settling assistance services for clients upon their first entry into the United States, including assistance with airport pick-up for first-time entry; assistance with bank account opening procedures; assistance with applying for a Social Security card; assistance with hotel reservations; assistance with booking flights to the United States; assistance with contacting driving schools and providing information on driver's license exams; assistance with moving services; assistance with contacting real estate agents, and assistance with renting or purchasing property, among other related matters. For more information, please call: 400-138-2929.
