Getting Through Customs - Regulations

You might want to read this first:

http://www.tsa.gov/311/311-carry-ons.shtm

I don't think that carry-on is an option for any liquids (olive oil, wine, etc.).

Bringing Agricultural products into the U.S.

Know Before you Go

It doesn't matter how you carry the stuff you buy. Customs has a right to search everything. However, any liquid over 3 oz must be put in checked luggage.

As Frank II says, it doesn't matter how you carry the stuff you buy. Before you pass through customs, they'll have you reclaim ALL your luggage, so you pass through customs with everything, not just your carry-on stuff.

Then you'll generally put the checked luggage back on a belt and they'll put it on your next plane, or send it to baggage claim if you're going through customs at your final destination.

The easiest way to think of what you can legally carry back or not is whether or not it has been processed. In other words, it is sealed, canned, package, bottled, etc. it will be OK. There could be some specific exception to that but will be listed on the custom's form you fill out on the airplane prior to landing. It is is raw, unprocessed, fruits, veg, etc. it probably is prohibited. I once was caught with an apple in a carryon bag that I had forgotten to eat on the plane. An liquid items over 3 oz goes into checked luggage.

Don't even think about trying to bring in wild boar sausage even if it has never been opened AND been vacuum sealed in plastic. I am still upset that our about 1 pound piece was confiscated in Philly. I know that there are rules in place to keep from contaminating things in this country, but I fell in love with that sausage while I was there and I am a very picky person when it comes to eating any type of "game" meat. Oh well, guess we need to plan another trip. :)

I think since mad cow all meat products are forbidden.

Meat products were banned way before mad cow. Many fresh foods can carry bacteria that is not only harmful to people, but to livestock and crops as well.

May I add one thing - if there is a fruit or vegetable you enjoy while in Italy it may be of benefit to look for seed packs at the fruit markets to plant and enjoy all next summer. I'm planning a trip this October and always fall in love with their plantings and flowers, I hopefully will be able to find seeds and enjoy them for years to come.

I was surprised and annoyed to have a sealed wheel of cheese confiscated from me by security at CDG in paris. They left me the opened 2 ounces of cheese???
I think they were arranging their private picnic.

Rachelle, Customs will confiscate any seeds you buy in Italy. I learned this the hard way after having bought all sorts of vegetable seeds for my brother-in-law who's an avid gardener. They were in sealed commercial packets, so I thought they'd be fine. Wrong. Into the trash they went once our plane landed in the US.