October 5, 2004 (Subject to further updates and revisions without notice)

The information provided in this bulletin has been supplied by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Service office at Port Huron, Michigan as a general guide to the general public for bringing fruits, vegetables, plants, plant products, meat products, or live animals into the United States. Some states, including Florida, Texas, and California, may have more restrictive entry requirements. THIS INFORMATION IS NOT FOR COMMERCIAL IMPORTERS. Information is also available at the following website: www.aphis.usda.gov.

For additional information please contact the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Service office at the Canada/U.S. border crossing you are planning to use for travel to the U.S. this coming season.

All fruits, vegetables, plants, plant products, meat products, and live animals MUST BE DECLARED at the time of entry into the United States regardless of whether they are allowed or not.

** YOU COULD BE ASSESSED A MONETARY PENALTY FOR NOT DECLARING ALL SUCH ITEMS. **

FRESH FRUITS:

• As a general rule, fruits grown in Canada are enterable.
• Fruits not grown in Canada or the U.S. are restricted or prohibited. If there is doubt as to the fruit's origin, it will be prohibited. It may be helpful to leave stickers on and keep fruit in the original store package.
• Tropical fruits are not grown in Canada and are prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit, mangoes, rambutans, lychees, and longans.
• Bananas labelled as coming from South or Central America are enterable.
• Fruits which can be grown in Canada but are obviously out of season (for example, grapes or peaches in the winter) are not likely to be of Canadian origin and are prohibited.
  

FRESH VEGETABLES:

• As a general rule, vegetables grown in Canada are enterable.
• Vegetables not grown in Canada or the U.S. are restricted or prohibited. If there is doubt as to the vegetable's origin, it will be prohibited. It may be helpful to leave stickers on and keep vegetables in the original store package.
• Potatoes, carrots, and other root crops from Newfoundland and British Columbia are prohibited or restricted.
• Corn-on-the-cob is enterable into Michigan but must be treated for insects if going to western or southern states.
• All commercially packaged hard frozen vegetables are enterable.
  

POULTRY:

• There is no general ban on poultry at this time.

MEAT and DAIRY PRODUCTS:

• Meats, meat products, and animal by-products from ruminant animals of Canadian origin are PROHIBITED. See below for exception. Ruminants include cows, sheep, goats, deer, antelope, moose, elk, buffalo, and caribou.
• Hunter-harvested ruminant meat and trophies are restricted. Telephone 1-810-985-6126 for more information.
• Pet foods made in Canada, which contain processed animal products of any kind, are PROHIBITED.
• Tinned soups and stews, which contained processed animal products of any kind, are PROHIBITED.
• Meats and meat products (fresh, frozen, or cooked) from swine or fish of Canadian origin are enterable. Quantities over 50 pounds require inspection by the USDA Food Safety Inspection Service.
• Hard cheese without meat is enterable from all countries.
• Other dairy products of Canadian origin are enterable.
  

PLANTS:

• All plants, whether indoor or outdoor, must be accompanied by either:
• An original Canadian Phytosanitary Certificate or
• A yellow Greenhouse Certification sticker
• Phytosanitary Certificates or Greenhouse Certification stickers may be available from the business where the plants are purchased. Please check before purchasing.
• All plants in soil from British Columbia and Newfoundland are restricted or prohibited.
• Some plants are prohibited. these include, but are not limited to, bamboo, citrus, barberry, and Oregon grape plants.
• Some plants have special entry requirements due to endangered species status. These include orchid, palm, cactus, and Venus flytrap plants.
• A number of other plants must also meet special entry requirements. This includes, but is not limited to, many fruit trees, bushes, and vines.
• Fresh cut Christmas trees from Ontario for personal use in Michigan are unrestricted.
  

To avoid problems, please call for the import requirements of any plants you are bringing into the U.S.

CUT FLOWERS:

All cut flowers of Canadian origin are restricted. Inspection is required.

SEEDS AND NUTS:

Seeds and Nuts for Eating or Cooking

• As a general rule, nuts and seeds of Canadian origin are enterable. If there is doubt as to where they were grown, they will be considered to be of non-Canadian origin.
• Nuts and seeds of non-Canadian origin may be restricted or prohibited. Inspection is required. Please note that these restrictions apply to both raw and cooked nuts and seeds.
  

Seeds for Planting

• Berberis, Mahonia, and Mahoberberis seeds are prohibited.
• An original Phytosanitary Certificate or Seed Analysis certificate must accompany all other plant seeds of Canadian origin. These seeds must be grown in Canada, not just packed in Canada.
• Seeds of non-Canadian origin are restricted or prohibited.
  

OTHER FOOD ITEMS:

• Uncooked rice grown outside the U.S. is restricted. Inspection is required.
• Dried citrus fruit and citrus peel are prohibited.
• Most other commercially packaged dried fruits and vegetables are enterable.
• Commercially canned and commercially frozen fruits and vegetables are generally enterable.
• Bakery goods without meat (breads, bagels, doughnuts, pies cakes) are enterable from all countries.
  

LIVE ANIMALS – Please contact the USDA Veterinarian at (301) 734-3277 or your local Canada/US border crossing.

** ALL RUMINANT AMIMALS, RODENTS FROM AFRICA, and CIVETS ARE PROHIBITED. **

Restrictions on the importation of fruits, vegetables, plants, plant products, meat products, and live animals help to safeguard American agriculture by preventing the entry for new agricultural pests and diseases into the United States. You can help by following the guidelines in this pamphlet and declaring all of your fruits, vegetables, plants, plant products, meat products, and live animals each time you cross the border into the United States.