I really like the idea of visiting and staying at small family farms when visiting Italy, but we were recently in Italy and upon returning to the US, Customs asked if we had visited a farm. What happens if you have stayed at a farm and answer "yes"? Do you get held up at the airport?
Posted by
11 posts
We stayed at one in Monterosso al Mare two years ago. No issue at all with customs
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33582 posts
The concern is that your footwear or luggage may have picked up some soil and dirt from the farm. Depending on where you have been, the thickness of mud on your shoes, and where you are going there might be a risk of you accidentally bringing in microbial pests which could cause damage to your local agriculture.
In the days of Foot and Mouth disease the Ag folks took measures to ensure that footwear was decontaminated.
At the moment that threat has abated, so just declare Yes, and expect to pass through with no issues. Do be honest - I'm sure you will be.
Posted by
11 posts
Same concern here with return from Sicily to US and Customs. Are there issues?
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
15900 posts
Or just state No in the customs declaration form.
Any tourist that ventures outside of any city, including hiking at the Cinque Terre, will have walked on some farmland. The Cinque Terre trails go through vineyards. Actually even cities may fall in that definition. Most parks in Rome have horse trails. Just make sure you don’t have mud in your shoes when you fly.