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firsttimer
16-02-2004, 15:00
I have found the US Customs website http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/ which might be useful if you aren't sure what you are allowed to bring in (or not).
This is what it says about food:

Food Products
Bakery items and all cured cheeses are admissible. The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) publishes a pamphlet called Travelers Tips, which offers detailed information on bringing food, plant, and animal products into this country. Imported foods are also subject to requirements of the Food and Drug Administration.

Fruits, Vegetables, Plants

Many fruits, vegetables, plants, cuttings, seeds, unprocessed plant products, and certain endangered plant species are either prohibited from entering the country or require an import permit. Endangered or threatened species of plants and plant products, if not prohibited from importation, will require an export permit from the country of origin. Every single plant, plant product, fruit, or vegetable must be declared to the Customs officer and must be presented for inspection no matter how free of pests it appears to be. Most canned or processed items are admissible.

Applications for import permits or requests for information should be addressed to: Permit Unit, USDA-APHIS-PPQ, 4700 River Rd., Unit 136, Riverdale, MD 20737-1236, USA.

Meats, Livestock, Poultry
Meats, livestock, poultry and their by-products (e.g., sausage, pâté) are either prohibited or restricted from entering the United States, depending upon the animal disease condition in the country of origin. Fresh meat is generally prohibited from most countries. Canned meat is permitted if the inspector can determine that it is commercially canned, cooked in the container, hermetically sealed, and can be kept without refrigeration. Other canned, cured, or dried meat is severely restricted.

You should contact the USDA's Import-export Products Staff, APHIS-VS, 4700 River Rd., Unit 40, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231, USA, for detailed requirements.

This is a linkl to quite a comprehensive document about travel restictions: http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/ImageCache/cgov/content/publications/visitingtheunitedstates_2edoc/v1/visitingtheunitedstates.doc#FoodProducts

firsttimer
16-02-2004, 15:01
oops sorry- have stretched the page!!