USDA APHIS | International Traveler: Coffee, Teas, Honey, Nuts, and Spices (2024)

International Traveler: Coffee, Teas, Honey, Nuts, and Spices

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Last Modified: Oct 28, 2022

The United States restricts or prohibits the entry of many agricultural products, which can carry foreign pests and diseases that harm American agriculture and our environment. A major pest or disease outbreak could mean higher grocery bills, shortages of certain foods, and devastating losses for our farmers and ranchers. Help us keep American agriculture healthy by following the guidance on this page about products you may want to bring into the United States.

Travelers entering the United States must declare all agricultural products on their U.S. Customs forms. U.S. agricultural inspectors will examine your items to be sure they meet entry requirements and do not harbor harmful foreign pests or diseases. U.S. inspectors have the authority to make a final determination about whether your products can enter the country. We recommend that you keep receipts and original packaging of agricultural products as proof of their country of origin.

As long as you declare all the agricultural products you are bringing with you, you will not face any penalties—even if an inspector determines that they cannot enter the country.Scroll down for more information on how to declare items at Customs.

Coffee, Teas, Honey, Nuts and Spices that you CAN and CANNOT bring back to the U.S. (choose below)

Coffee (Roasted, Green, Whole, Seeds, Plant Parts)

USDA’s requirements for the entry of coffee/coffee beans carried by a traveler differ according to the specific form of the product and location of the port of entry:

Roasted Coffee: Travelers are permitted to bring unlimited quantities of roasted coffee in their luggage without restriction through any U.S. port of entry. However, as with all agricultural products, you must declare the product at entry.
Green (unroasted)Coffee Beans: Travelers are permitted to bring unlimited quantities of green coffee beans in their luggage without restriction through any port of entry in the continental United States; however, green coffee beans are prohibited from entering into or transiting through Hawaii or Puerto Rico. As with all agricultural products, you must declare the product at entry. If any quarantine pests are found in green coffee beans, the product will be seized and destroyed.
Whole Coffee Berries (aka, coffee cherries): fresh coffee berries—defined as the unprocessed, whole coffee fruit with pulp—are prohibitedentry at all U.S. ports of entry because the pulp presents an exotic fruit-fly risk.

Coffee Seeds or Other Plant Parts intended for planting are prohibited entry intoHawaii or Puerto Rico. Additionally, some varieties are protected as threatened or endangered species and have specific restrictions because of their status.

Green Tea, Black Tea

Travelers are permitted to bring without restriction any quantity of products composed solely of tea leaves (Camellia sinensis: includes black tea, green tea, oolong, dark tea, white tea, yellow tea). As with all agricultural products, you must declare the product at entry.

Herbal Tea/Herbal Infusions

Products traveler CAN bring if commercially packaged/prepared (declare all at entry)

Hibiscus flowers contained in herbal tea products are permitted entry, subject to inspection.
Herbal tea products containing ginseng or goldenseal are permitted, subject to inspection, if commercially packaged and ready to be boiled, steeped, or microwaved in liquid.
Commercially packaged herbal products containing lemongrass are permitted subject to inspection; please see the Spices section of this page for guidance on lemongrass that is not commercially packaged.
Dodder (aka sem*n cuscatae, Cuscuta chinensis, or tu si zi; Cuscuta japonica,or toshishi or tosaja) is permitted in herbal tea products if contained in individual, ready-to-steep tea bags and dodder is processed sufficiently for seed color to be gray.
Herbal tea products containing citrus (Rutaceae) leaves, flowers, bark, roots, peel, or fruit are enterable if the product is commercially packaged and ready to be boiled, steeped, or microwaved in liquid, or if package is labelled as having undergone required heat treatment. Otherwise, entry is prohibited.
Herbal teas containing bark from Prunus trees (apricot, cherry, peach plum, etc.) are enterable if commercially packaged and ready to be boiled, steeped, or microwaved in liquid, or if package is labelled as having undergone required heat treatment. Otherwise, entry is prohibited.
Masala chai, if all components are finely ground, may enter any port except for Hawaii or Puerto Rico, subject to inspection. If not finely ground, please contact USDA’s Plant Protection and Quarantine Permit Services office at (301) 851-2046 to inquire about requirements.
Roobios tea is permitted, subject to inspection.

RESTRICTED or PROHIBITED productscontaining herbal ingredients

How Do I Declare Agricultural Items?

USDA-trained dogs help sniff out plants and animal products in luggage and carry-on items on international flights.

Make sure you include any agricultural items on your Customs Declaration Form (select form below). This form provides Customs and Border Protection officials with basic information about who you are and what you are bringing into the United States, such as agricultural and wildlife products and whether you have visited a farm prior to traveling to the United States.

When you declare, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection official can check your items. This is the only way to be certain that your items are free of plant pests and animal diseases.

Information for Travelers Who Visit Farms or Come Into Contact with Animals in Other Countries

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Forms

—Customs Declaration Form

As an enthusiast with a profound understanding of international travel regulations, particularly in the context of agricultural products, I can confidently delve into the intricacies of the article on "International Traveler: Coffee, Teas, Honey, Nuts, and Spices" provided by the USDA. My expertise stems from a comprehensive grasp of the subject matter, including the specific requirements and restrictions associated with each category of items mentioned.

Let's dissect the key concepts covered in the article:

Entry Restrictions for Agricultural Products: The article emphasizes that the United States restricts or prohibits the entry of various agricultural products due to the potential threat of foreign pests and diseases. The consequences of a major pest or disease outbreak could lead to higher grocery bills, food shortages, and significant losses for American farmers.
Declaration of Agricultural Products: Travelers entering the United States are required to declare all agricultural products on their U.S. Customs forms. Agricultural inspectors will examine these items to ensure they meet entry requirements and do not pose a risk to American agriculture. It is advisable for travelers to keep receipts and original packaging as proof of the products' country of origin.
Coffee Entry Requirements: The article provides detailed information on the entry requirements for different forms of coffee, including roasted coffee, green coffee beans, and whole coffee berries. Notably, fresh coffee berries are prohibited entry at all U.S. ports due to the exotic fruit-fly risk associated with the pulp.
Tea Entry Requirements: Travelers are permitted to bring tea leaves without restriction, including black tea, green tea, oolong, dark tea, white tea, and yellow tea. Herbal teas are subject to specific regulations, and the article details the conditions under which certain ingredients, such as hibiscus flowers, ginseng, and citrus leaves, are allowed or prohibited.
Honey Regulations: The USDA regulates only honey and beeswax imported for use as feed for bees in apiaries. Travelers can bring comb honey, royal jelly, bee bread, or propolis for personal consumption.
Nuts Entry Requirements: Nuts are allowed entry if they have been processed in various ways, such as boiling, cooking, grinding, oven drying, pureeing, roasting, or steaming. Specific conditions apply to nuts prepared in other ways, and travelers are advised to contact the USDA for guidance.
Spices Entry Regulations: Most dried spices can be imported, except for certain citrus leaves and seeds, as well as many vegetable and fruit seeds. Lemongrass, if not part of a commercially packaged product, needs to be inspected for plant rusts to avoid Customs delays and seizure.
Declaration Process and USDA-Trained Dogs: Travelers are encouraged to declare all agricultural items on their Customs Declaration Form. USDA-trained dogs play a crucial role in detecting plants and animal products in luggage. Declaration is the only way to ensure that items are free of plant pests and animal diseases.
Additional Resources: The article provides contact information for USDA's Plant Import Information Line for travelers with questions about bringing specific plant or plant products into the United States.

In conclusion, my in-depth knowledge of the content establishes my credibility in explaining the nuances of international travel regulations concerning agricultural products. Travelers should adhere to the guidelines outlined in the article to contribute to maintaining the health of American agriculture and prevent potential risks.