Smuggling Avocados?

[SarahB]

Has anyone ever brought avocodos (or any fruit/veg) back home? I think it's against the rules, but it's so hard to continue to resisit when they are so much cheaper in Mexico! Just wondering how much trouble I'd get myself into!

[denisea]

According to the US Customs web site the following agricultural products are allowed to be brought in the US.

Originally Posted by www.customs.ustreas.gov

General List of Approved Products

Aloe Vera (above ground parts)
Bat nut or devil pod (Trapa bicornis)
Breads, cakes, cookies, and other bakery goods
Candies
Cannonball fruit
Chinese water chestnut
Coffee (roasted beans only)
Fish
* Flower bulbs
Fruits, canned
Garlic cloves (peeled)
Lily bulbs (Lilium spp.) for planting
Maguey leaf
Matsutake
Mushrooms
Nuts (roasted only)
Palm hearts (peeled)
Sauces, canned or processed
Seaweed
* Seeds for planting or consumption
Shamrocks leaves without roots or soil
St. John's Bread
Singhara nut (Trapa bispinosa)
Tamarind bean pod
Truffles
Vegetables, canned or processed
Water chestnut (Trapa natans)

*Check with the consulate or agricultural office in the country of origin to confirm that your item is allowed. A phytosanitary certificate is required for propagative material. Pre-departure inspection is required for passengers traveling from Hawaii to the mainland, Puerto Rico to the mainland, and from the U.S. Virgin Islands to the mainland.

Many products grown in Canada or Mexico are allowed to enter the United States. This includes most vegetables and many fruits; however, seed potatoes from Canada currently require a permit. Additionally, stone fruit, apples, mangoes, oranges, guavas, sopote, cherimoya and sweet limes from Mexico require a permit.

According to the US Customs web site, here's what could happen to you if you're caught with prohibited agricultural products.

Originally Posted by www.customs.ustreas.gov

Avoid Fines and Delays

Prohibited items that are not declared by passengers are confiscated and disposed of by CBP agriculture specialists. But that’s not all. Civil penalties may be assessed for violations and may range up to $1,000 for a first-time offense. Depending on whether the confiscated, undeclared items are intentionally concealed, or determined to be for commercial use, civil penalties may be assessed as high as $50,000 for individuals. The same fines apply to prohibited agricultural products sent through the international mail.

Additional info on this topic can be found on the US Customs web site --- click here .

[SarahB]

Thanks, Denisea! So, it's kinda unclear I guess. Not listed, but may be allowed if you check with the consulate? Well, not like I can bring tons, so maybe I should just get them here and pay like $2-$3. Might not be worth the trouble...unless I could bring a truck load! Thanks!

[denisea]

Just did some more checking for you on the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) web site. It appears that a permit is required to bring avocados across the border. There are also strict regulations as to where the avocados originate from in Mexico (must be grown in the state of Michoacan), they may only enter certain states in the US and only during certain times of the year. Additional info can be found on the APHIS web site --- click here.

[SarahB]

DAMN! I knew it wasn't allowed, but didn't know how difficult it is! Thanks so much for researching it! I'll check out that link.

[Big Kahuna]

So does this mean I have to leave SusieQRoos sweet potatoes at home?

[denisea]

Originally Posted by SarahB

DAMN! I knew it wasn't allowed, but didn't know how difficult it is! Thanks so much for researching it! I'll check out that link.

Only difficult if you get caught. Not that I condone smuggling agricultural products... actually, of all prohibited items, agricultural products carry the greatest potential of wreaking unsuspecting havoc on an ecosystem. Just look at what has happened as a result of zebra mussels in the Great Lakes or kudzu in the south. One of the reasons that avocados and other fruits from Mexico are prohibited or restricted is to control the spread of the mexican fruit fly (Anastrepha ludens) in the US.

[Susie Q Roo]

Originally Posted by Big Kahuna

So does this mean I have to leave SusieQRoos sweet potatoes at home?

NO! They're talking about things going INTO the US, not into Mexico!

[Big Kahuna]

Originally Posted by Susie Q Roo

NO! They're talking about things going INTO the US, not into Mexico!

Don't fret SusieQ...I got your back! I ain't skeered of a few taters!
If anyone asks I will just tell them that it is part of the 3 mens swimsuits! LOL


Susie check your email please.

[TAPPY]

Originally Posted by Big Kahuna

Don't fret SusieQ...I got your back! I ain't skeered of a few taters!
If anyone asks I will just tell them that it is part of the 3 mens swimsuits! LOL


Susie check your email please.

mens swimsuits ha ha !!!!

[SarahB]

Originally Posted by Big Kahuna

Don't fret SusieQ...I got your back! I ain't skeered of a few taters!
If anyone asks I will just tell them that it is part of the 3 mens swimsuits! LOL


Susie check your email please.

Ha! I think there are issues going into Mexico too (know those questions about vegies, meat, etc. on the immigration form?). Just hide them good!

[Sol]

Originally Posted by Big Kahuna

Don't fret SusieQ...I got your back! I ain't skeered of a few taters!
If anyone asks I will just tell them that it is part of the 3 mens swimsuits! LOL


Susie check your email please.

What kinda suit? Speedos? Taters in front or back?

[Mossy]

Originally Posted by Sol

What kinda suit? Speedos? Taters in front or back?

If you put the potato in front, would that make you a "Dicktator"???

[Sol]

Originally Posted by Mossy

If you put the potato in front, would that make you a "Dicktator"???

[SarahB]

Originally Posted by Mossy

If you put the potato in front, would that make you a "Dicktator"???

Haaahaha! Very funny!