Bring home the treasurers

You can actually bring home more alcohol than that, you just might need to pay a duty on it. Its worth if its good stuff and especially if its inexpensive. I once bought home 6 bottles of Vouvray from France. Told customs that I had "some wine". They never asked how much. But, when it is about $7 a bottle, the duty doesn't add much. I was told pasteurized cheese is fine. I brought in cheese from France and I was told by the cheese shop it was pasteurized but I've since learned that most cheese in France is not pasteurized. I also was told anything vacuum packed is ok. Some people I was in Germany with brought back some kind of vacuum packed sausage. I don't know why baked goods would be an issue. When I came home from Spain I brought back A LOT of spices. I was worried since they are agricultural, but that wasn't the problem. They are powders. They were caught, checked and ok'd.
I'll be watching for some definitive answer, but I've done some surfing and never found what I thought were clear answers.

Sorry, I can’t help you as I’m not American, but rather than relying on the advice (correct or otherwise) of holiday makers on this forum, you may get more peace of mind by googling your own government’s website which will give clear advice on these matters.

Here's a US government website with information on prohibited and restricted items.

However, I know from previous research that I sometimes still am not sure after reading the rules. Definitely some fresh cheeses are prohibited. Definitely some meat products are prohibited (no prosciutto!). I think meat is pretty risky, in general, so I wouldn't plan to bring back anything that isn't explicitly stated to be allowed.

There may be some products that are OK in commercial packaging but not if purchased loose and dumped in a plastic bag with a twist-tie. Many years ago I was questioned about some saffron from Spain that wasn't in supermarket packaging. I was allowed to keep the very small quantity I had purchased, but the customs inspector indicated that the decision could have gone the other way.

Baked goods and candy are generally OK, but pastries filled with sweetened ricotta cheese might violate the no-fresh-cheese restriction. (That's just my speculation.)

A lot of food products are quite heavy, and there's always a slight possibility that a glass bottle will break. I'd encourage you to know what is available to you at home, at what price, so you don't expend a lot of energy buying something that you could find at your local deli, Whole Foods store, or wine shop.

This web page (https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/know-before-you-go/prohibited-and-restricted-items ) and other areas on the Customs website give a good overview. It is not always specific, defaults to "maybe" in some cases, mainly because they need to review each item. That said, some basic guidelines:

• Declare anything you bring back if one of the entry questions specifically asks about it. Answer any verbal questions honestly.
• Any amount of alcohol is fine (from Europe) anything over a few bottles is subject to Duty, but I have never been asked to pay anything.
• Fresh Produce, Meat, and Plants or dirt are big red flags and likely will not be allowed.
• Just about any firm cheese is allowed, avoid fresh or runny cheeses.
• Most any canned goods, spices. pasta, cookies, etc. are fine.
• The Sacher Torte is also fine, I think they will pack them for travel, outside chance it might be questioned at Security in the US, but not at Customs.

No big deal. They're not trying to penalize you for bringing back wine, just collect what the state would get if it were imported by a dealer. If they're too busy, they are more likely to waive you through for a couple of extra bottles.

It helps to say "vacuum-packed hard cheese" (if thats what it is) when they ask about the cheese. Their concern is about dairy diseases from less cured cheese, not collecting duty.

I would ask this - Given that booze is heavy , inconvenient to shlep , and readily available here at home , why bother ? I can't imagine you would save enough to make it worthwhile .

It is heavy and quite inconvenient, I give you that. The imported liquor to me does not taste the same as that sold in Europe. Also, quite often I will find a local wine that is not exported. Finally, the bring back bottles bring back memories of good trips and good company.

If you can handle the weight and care in packing bottles, and it makes you haopy, ignore the negative comments and just do it. Your souvenir bottles will last longer if you just sniff every so often rather than chug. As noted by others just declare everthing.

Expect meat products to be confiscated then hope for the best.
https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/944/~/bringing-meat%2C-poultry-or-pork%2Fswine-products-into-the-u.s.

There are restrictions on the animal products that travelers may bring
into the United States. All decisions about the admissibility of
animal products are dependent on disease conditions in their country
of origin or the country where the products were processed and/or
packaged. Because disease conditions can change at a moment's notice,
travelers who purchase such goods must be prepared for the fact that
the goods may be confiscated during customs clearance.

The importation of fresh, dried or canned meats or meat products is
generally not allowed from most foreign countries into the United
States. This includes products that have been prepared with meat.

Definitely no roasted pig head.

https://www.ajc.com/blog/airport/customs-beagle-detects-roasted-pig-head-checked-luggage-hartsfield-jackson/TDXeXs3YjoCmkBlhSyvo8J/

We shipped wine home from one trip. It was a whole case and wasn't as costly as I would have expected. If you are wanting to bring back a larger quantity ask about shipping. If you are changing hotels I wouldn't be buying large heavier bottles to have to transport between hotels, but if its just from the hotel to the airport and you are willing to take the risk of breakage, go for it. I have a neoprene type cooler bag that holds two bottles of wine that I bring on trips for picnicking, etc., but it has turned out to be great for bringing home bottles of wine. I got it on Amazon. I typically do not bring home souvenirs other than purchased guidebooks for some of the places we've visited (like the Alhambra or an art museum) so bringing home my food/drink "treasures" is fun and prolongs the fun once I'm home.
In terms of what is allowed thru customs, I always think its like TSA, constantly changing and subject to someone's interpretation, but I would never not declare something because its not worth it and I wouldn't even try fresh produce, meat, anything along those lines. In addition to being able to charge duties and prevent people bringing back illegal items, I think a large concern is to protect our agricultural products from foreign pests diseases, etc.
I agree with the hard/soft cheese. When I flew from France to Iceland, I asked the airline agents about my cheese that I planned to eat during my stay in Iceland. They replied that the gruyere was going to be fine, but the suggested I either eat my Camembert and Roquefort or TSA/customs was going to be enjoying it. . .

Dave , That's priceless , still laughing . This is reminiscent of the recently demised " Turkey thread " of two weeks ago .

If you want to bring something really exceptional buy Austrian Stroh rum.
http://www.stroh.at/en/product-original.html

Stroh 80 (i.e. 80% alcohol aka 160% proof in US) is the hardest liquor legally available in the European Union. It is not easy to get in the US, most likely sold for the double price as in Vienna's supermarkets.

Beware that Stroh 80 must be carried in checked luggage. It is not allowed to take it into the airplane's cabin as it might be used to feed a flame thrower. :-)

I have brought home a Sachertorte, on my birthday, no less. A total non-issue. From Paris, I have brought home a box of several eclairs. Our thought was, if they say we can't bring them on the plane, we will just eat them then and there! It was no issue and my son got his eclairs that night. I have to say, the Sachertorte was packed better for travel. We had to guard that flimsy éclair box with our lives!

Sachertorte is sold at the airport. Dry cake isn’t for me.