United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which coordinates with over 40 government agencies to ensure that unsafe items are not allowed entry into the US, protects Americans from travel threats.
According to the CBP, individuals traveling to the US are restricted from possessing any item perceived as a threat to the American public’s safety.
Additionally, the protection agency directs that individuals traveling should inform the agency of any prohibited items they plan to bring.
Further, the CBP emphasizes that restricted items include those that require special licenses or permits from a federal agency to enter the country.
“Restricted means that special licenses or permits are required from a federal agency before the item is allowed to enter the United States,” CBP states.
CBP List of Prohibited Items
Under regulations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Department of the Treasury’s Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, travelers may not bring absinthe into the United States. Absinthe is a herb-infused distilled spirit with an alcohol content of 45% to 74%.
In addition, U.S. laws require travelers destined for the U.S. to contact the applicable state alcoholic beverage control board to verify compliance with state laws and regulations.
Biological materials, including specimens, are prohibited from entry into the U.S. and are only allowed with approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Drug paraphernalia is also restricted in the United States unless it is a prescription for a verified medical condition according to CBP.
Further, U.S. law emphasizes that, although the country allows travelers to bring foreign-made ceramic wares, table wares from Mexico, China, Hong Kong, and India should be tested for lead.
Classified and unclassified items with military applications that are considered defense articles are permitted in the US only with a permit or license.
Without the licenses, the applications are said to violate the US International Traffic in Arms Regulations.
Additionally, firearms owned by travelers need to comply with the export control statutory and regulatory requirements for temporary export.
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Restricted Aircraft and Cultural Property
Documents, including export permits and receipts, must be provided at the airport when importing any cultural or archaeological artifacts or property.
Failure to present the ownership documents results in a charge under the U.S. National Stolen Property Act.
However, the US restricts the importation of pre-Columbian monuments, architectural sculptures, and murals from Central and South American countries.
In addition, American artifacts from Canada, El Salvador, Peru, Guatemala, and Mali are highly restricted.
Byzantine-period ritual and ecclesiastical objects from Cyprus and Khmer stone archaeological sculptures from Cambodia are not allowed entry into the US.
Automobiles Importation
To import automobiles into the United States, the automobile must meet the fuel-emission requirements of the Environmental Protection Agency and the safety, bumper, and theft prevention standards of the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Further, automobiles that meet federal standards may be subject to EPA requirements depending on the destination country.
However, automobiles temporarily imported into the US by non-residents for less than a year are exempt from restrictions.
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CBS on Animal and Food Restrictions
According to CBS regulations, it is illegal in the United States to import, export, distribute, transport, manufacture, or sell products containing dog or cat fur under the Dog and Cat Protection Act of 2000.
Violation of the restriction is subject to a penalty of up to $10,000 for intentional violations.
An additional $5,000 penalty is imposed for a gross negligence violation, or $3,000 for a violation.
Endangered wildlife species and products from the endangered species are restricted from any importation or export in the US.
However, one can travel with the species if one has a permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS).
Bush meat from African wildlife and almost all meat products are subject to the requirements of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Undeclared agricultural items at the US port may lead to a $300 fine for first-time offenders and $500 for repeat offenders.
Gold
Gold coins, medals, and bullion are allowed into the United States under regulations of the Office of Foreign Assets Control.
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