Should I declare...<Insert food name here>

[BucksBugsy]

Regulars will know that this question up frequently and the advice is "declare it if in doubt" ...better safe than sorry.

If you want an extreme location of what happens if you don't declare have a look at this article from the BBC

[caj]

I was told to (and not fined) tip plane water into the bin. I was also told to keep the bottle and to refill it outside for second flight!

[kitjos]

Good god! 😓. States dont mess about do they x

[DonnaD]

Originally Posted by caj

I was told to (and not fined) tip plane water into the bin. I was also told to keep the bottle and to refill it outside for second flight!

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That is because of having to go through security again for the second flight. It was nothing to do with customs regulations.

[amarooney]

Originally Posted by kitjos

Good god! 😓. States dont mess about do they x

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The US does takes the term jobsworth to a new level.

[Mr Tom Morrow]

Originally Posted by amarooney

The US does takes the term jobsworth to a new level.

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I disagree. Fruit, meat and fish can decimate a Country with diseases and other such issues.
Agriculture must be protected.
If you think America is tough see how tough Australia is.

[amarooney]

Agree but stiffing someone with a $500 fine may be regarded as slightly disproportionate in these circumstances.

[Guest]

Originally Posted by amarooney

Agree but stiffing someone with a $500 fine may be regarded as slightly disproportionate in these circumstances.

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The economical impact of someone bringing something bad in would incur costs far far greater. A $500 fine for something that could have cost millions if something went wrong is actually pretty fair. They have to be fair and consistent, whether you've brought in something dangerous or not - the point is it not being declared.

It has been a few years since I visited the US but I remember very clearly in Aus that passengers are given multiple opportunities to declare or question before they are checked. You have nothing to lose by declaring.

[amarooney]

There are times when I lose the will to live

[Burgmeister]

Gotta side with the US authorities on this one. They are pretty clear that you need to declare fresh produce.

I actually think $500 is pretty lenient for ignoring a rule that is there for a very good reason.