bringing food items to USA

[pka]

Hi all,

My parents are planning to come to the US for the first time on visitors visa. Are they allowed to bring curry powder and some indian home made snacks? Should they declare it in the customs form? Is it better to bring in the hand / carry on baggage or check in baggage? Have the customs ppl ever checked anyones baggage and caught them for bringing food items. What kind of food items can we bring and what is not permitted? Please let me know ur experiences.

Thanks
aneeta

[immihelp]

They can bring that.

Does not have to declare anything.

What they can't bring is fresh fruits/vegetables etc.

[pka]

Hi Immihelp,

Thanks a lot. This site has been very useful to me. U r doing a great job.

Thanks
Aneeta

[vasilef]

Hi, what about some tinned vegetable & meat soup, will they allow it?

[bobby_maganti]

yeah !! you should be able to get tinned, Factory sealed stuff. Once I was caught for not declaring the food. I was having pickles. The officer got me and asked me the reason for not declaring, I said,' Sorry Sir, i thought only raw foods like, fruits and vegetable should be declared, as I am carrying cooked food I dint declare!!". Officer said thats wrong, ANYTHING THAT GOES INTO THE MOUTH SHOULD BE DECLARED. He left me after that, he wanred me to declare next time. thats it.

[ailai]

Hi,
Your parents can bring by informing the staff. I think liquid will not be allowed due to some critical conditions but solid material like fruits and other food like this can be easily taken to USA.