When you come to the United States and go through customs, you cannot bring contraband. But some people always take chances. The United States has strict regulations on this. Violation may result in confiscation of items, fines, or even arrest in serious cases.

U.S. Customs and Boarder Protection (CBP) lists prohibited and restricted items (Prohibited and Restricted Items). The list is arranged in English alphabetical order of the items. The summary of this list is tailored to include "Chinese characteristics" and is generally classified as follows:

Livestock and poultry meat (Meats, Livestock and Poultry). Whether fresh, dried, canned or vacuum packed, all are prohibited. Therefore, meat floss, beef jerky, etc. are not allowed. Foods containing meat are also prohibited. For example, meat rice dumplings, steamed buns, fresh meat mooncakes, etc. In addition, chicken feet are not allowed. Someone recently brought chicken feet and had them confiscated. The reason was to prevent bird flu from entering the United States.

Food Products. You can bring a small amount of bread into the United States. However, almost anything containing meat products, such as bouillon, soup mixes, etc., is not admissible. However, condiments, vinegar, cooking oil, honey, coffee and tea are allowed. You can bring some more Chinese characteristics, such as mushrooms, fungus, star anise and other seasonings; red dates, wolfberry, small walnuts, hawthorn slices, etc. If you like to eat seafood, congratulations, the United States has no special ban on this. For example, you can bring dried squid, yellow croaker, Kaiyang, shrimp skin, etc., but you cannot bring hairy crabs and dairy products.

Fruits and Vegetables. In the 1980s, California and the federal government spent $100 million to deal with the Mediterranean fruit fly outbreak. The root cause of the fruit fly outbreak is people bringing fruit into the United States. Therefore, the United States takes strict precautions against fruits and vegetables. If you brought apples or something from China and didn’t finish them on the plane, it’s best to throw them away or declare them before entering customs. Violators are fined $300 for the first offense and $500 for the second offense. In addition, you can bring cooked peanuts, but not raw ones.

Plants and Seeds. Import documents and other documents are required to enter the United States. Mainly to prevent pests. Therefore, if you plan to bring some rapeseed to grow your own vegetables, don’t take the risk. Some vegetables in the United States are more expensive than pork, but rapeseed is actually sold in American supermarkets. Of course, your hometown vegetables may not be available, so you have to follow the local customs. In addition, handicrafts made from plant materials (including straw) must be declared.

Soil. For example, if you bring a pot of flowers, the flowers are prohibited, and the soil in the pot is also prohibited.

Biologicals, such as cell cultures, biological tissues, etc. If you want to carry relevant biological products to the United States for biological research, you must obtain prior approval from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP).

Medication. You can take the medicines you will need, but only in reasonable amounts for personal use. Additionally, narcotics and other drugs with a potential for abuse are prohibited. For example: Rohypnol, GHB and Fen-Phen. Violators will be punished.

If you want to bring drugs containing addictive ingredients, such as cough drops, tranquilizers, sleeping pills, and antidepressants, they must be declared and placed in the original box or bottle; a doctor's prescription and medical certificate are also required.

Ceramic Tableware. The US FDA recommends that carriers send ceramic tableware produced in China, Mexico and India for testing to ensure that the lead content meets safety standards.

Cultural Artifacts and Cultural Property. You will need to provide proof of legal possession, purchase receipt, or export license.

Items protected by intellectual property rights (Trademarked and Copyrighted Articles). For example, Microsoft software and CDs of American blockbusters. It’s best not to carry knock-off designer bags.

Dog and Cat Fur. Including products containing dog skin and cat skin, such as dog skin hats. Intentional violations are subject to a fine of US$10,000 for each violation; unintentional violations are subject to a fine of US$3,000 for each violation.

Can I bring pets? For example, dogs and cats. Can. However, strict inspections are required at customs, including review of all vaccination records and health certificates. Hawaii is particularly strict. All pets entering Hawaii (including those entering Hawaii from the U.S. mainland) must undergo quarantine and isolation review. The cost is hundreds of dollars. If the quarantine period is 120 days, the cost is $1,080. If you really can't let go of your beloved baby, you will have to spend the quarantine review fee.

Gold. Gold coins and gold bars, which were prohibited before, can now be carried. However, gold coins without the name of the country of issue are not allowed into the United States.

As for weapons and ammunition, the Chinese basically do not have this problem. But please note that the following items are not allowed in your carry-on luggage: Knives, such as fruit knives, razors, and scissors (with metal tips and blades longer than 4 inches).

Liquids, such as drinks, shampoo, toothpaste. Drinks must be finished before security check. Other liquid items, such as cooking wine, rice vinegar, and sesame oil, can be checked in with your luggage, but they are absolutely not allowed to be carried with you. Toothpaste is travel-friendly and has a capacity of no more than 3.4 ounces.

Special reminder:

1) If you bring food, you must declare it on the form. You will be inspected. Usually this inspection is as simple as other baggage inspections, just pass. Just scan.

2) Some foods are not allowed to be brought in. But if you have declared it in advance, the food will only be confiscated.

3) If you carry contraband without declaring it, you may be punished.

4) If the cash exceeds US$10,000, it must be declared.