Bringing Home Food and Wine

and was told that it was illegal

By whom?

Ask your friend for the source? I have never heard of it. We just returned last Oct with our usual wines with no questions asked. I think, processed and packaged foods are ok but nothing open or fresh like fruits.

I think your friends misunderstood -- the regulations aren't new. Some things are illegal, but you are pretty safe with canned, vac packed etc. for personal use or gifts. The catch is you have to declare them, or risk a large fine. This will slow you down at customs as you will have to go through the declaration lines. They will grill you, and possibly search your luggage to see what you are carrying, and confiscate anything not allowed. This is not new -- it has been this way for many years to protect American agriculture from disease and pests. There is a link at the bottom of this page for alcohol restrictions, which are also the same as always. To me, it is not worth it to bring alcohol, as almost anything I could want is available domestically, and you run the risk of it breaking in your luggage, it takes a lot of space and is heavy.

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/82/~/travelers-bringing-food-into-the-u.s.-for-personal-use

Hope this helps.

Jan

I'll disagree with Jan about not bringing back wine. We did a wine tasting in Montalcino and bought a beautiful bottle of wine. We were instructed to leave it in the bottle for 10 years...so we had to wait 6 years from the date of purchase. We brought it home in our bike case, carefully wrapped in dirty clothing. It made it home perfectly, we stored in the basement for years....

We opened the bottle for our 35th wedding anniversary...and I have to say, it was the BEST bottle of wine we've ever experienced.

yes, there are plenty of great wines you can purchase in the US (heck we have Zagat send us a case every 3 months of good wines) But there is just something extra special about a really good bottle of wine you buy from a producer in Italy and enjoy at home.

I'm not saying you have to bring home a case, but 1-2 bottles each trip, that's special!

Yes, declare what you buy, and enjoy. I also shop for sea salt, olive oil and pasta each trip. Easy things to bring home (well the liquid has become an issue, but there is still a way to get it home to the US)

I travel to Europe about three times a year and always bring back at least one bottle of Weinbrand from Germany and lots of good Swiss chocolate in my checked bag.
Just report it on the blue and white customs card that everyone must fill out upon entering the United States.
I have never had any problems, never have even been asked about anything.
Just follow the rules and keep the dollar amount within the stated limits and make sure that you declare everything you've bought while in Europe and that includes post cards and souvenirs.

I've never heard of this, either, and I flew back from Belgium in January with $300 in chocolate. Be sure to declare everything, even items you ship home separately.

I agree that there are fabulous wines and liquors that you can't buy here, and I usually bring back something that I need to put into checked luggage.