Originally Posted by SDF_Traveler
It was explained to me soil and pathogens, etc, can collect on shoes and other items when one goes onto farm land outside of the US - which has the potential to endanger US agriculture if these pathogens (or even types of seeds from soil) are brought into the USA.
Exactly! There is actually a reason for these precautions.
I just pull my farm/ranch boots from the suitcase and the inspector disinfects them and returns them in a plastic bag.
The only time I have had any type of problem was the trip when I presented very muddy boots to the agent. (Normally I clean them before I head home.) I received a stern lecture about bringing potential diseases into the country and I didn't help my case much when I told the agent - truthfully- that it was US mud on my boots. He didn't believe me that I hadn't had the time nor the inclination to clean them before I headed overseas.