We entered overland and had some fruit and veg taken off us. We had loads of other food items with us like seeds,coffee,tea,sauces,spices,etc. none of them seemed to bother them.

I think they're more concerned as to whether you're telling the truth or not on the form. Just be up front when declaring what you have.

I had no problem taking in crumpets - which I put on my form. I suspect Hiddy is right and if you declare everything you'll probably be ok

But dehydrated wine is OK?

I really don't think it's as bad as you lot are making it out to be. They don't care if you are innocently bringing in something harmless. And if you declare something harmless, you are guaranteeing a longer wait.

Now entering Australia on the other hand...!! That's a different story.

I always bring tea with me to the US. Otherwise, I prefer everything else, food wise, over there.

They will not tolerate any form of beef product: no matter how processed and cooked it might be. Having read on the customs site that meat which was canned and had been cooked in that can was permissible; I brought a canned steak & kidney pudding into the US. I declared it and had it confiscated.

You may not even bring in an Oxo cube. On one occasion, I brought and declared a British Christmas pudding. The ingredients were carefully scanned and they included beef suet. In the spirit of Christmas, the supervisor told the customs officer (who had intended to confiscate the pud) to turn a blind eye. Since then, we have always brought vegetarian Christmas puddings from the UK to the US. I think that the beef ban's only exception is made for one or two approved Italian salami manufacturers.

Is that an approved Italian salami in your pocket; or are you just happy to see me? ;)

Unless you have something illegal to possess, not just import (e.g. drugs) you are highly unlikely to have issues if you declare it. Worst that happens is your ham sandwich goes in the bin. But if you don't declare and it gets found, you're in for trouble.

The obvious things are meat,fruit, veg and dairy products. Apart from that there shouldn't be much problem. We hadn't put down the vitamins my wife had bought for the mother in law and they were spotted during the bag scan.
They asked us if they were seal oil caps which are banned but we had cod liver oil which was okay.

Bread will almost certainly be okay as the seeds will have been frazzled when baked.

Not true in my experience, especially if it is just a small food item for your own consumption. On the other hand, if you are Arab or even look close to Arab, then all bets are off. It is the USA after all. :rolleyes:

Good to know these shared experiences. I'll declare my loaf in SFO tomorrow and let you know the outcome.

Been there, dunn dat.
The excited states of america figures everyone is out to get them, and they act accordingly.

I am often checked on land crossings and they want to know why I have foreign money (less than 100 USD) in my wallet. Then they want to know ...
I have seen all sorts of vegetable products confiscated...

The latest was my sons could not bring an empty camping stove OUT of the USA on a fllight.

Flying into/out of Canada is comparatively easy.

Remember the USA was prepared to have their citizens and others die on 9/11 :rolleyes: when they stopped air traffic into the USA.

Their OWN citizens. Fortunately Canada allowed those aircrafy to land on Canadian soil. I am not bashing the Americans, just re-stating facts. They are excited. Deal with it ... :p

Be prepared for losing your stuff when you meet US border control types, no matter what you think.

Not sure about that. I'm pretty sure they could have confiscated lots more of what we had if they wanted to.

The border crossing process at the Can/US border was all rather pathetic for two so called first world countries. Well over an hour and that was during a quiet period. :td:

I bought unpasteurised soft cheeses, they were fine, even though they are not allowed to be sold in the US.

Harmless is your term. The US border control types don't think from YOUR perspective..:rolleyes:

Actually I think they do. Because both of our perspectives are common sense. I wasn't harassed for not declaring my banana because I said I had picked it up on the plane and it was just a single banana. Common sense. Had I an entire bunch of bananas undeclared, common sense would have again reigned and I would have spent much more time at the the airport that day.

If they harass you for something innocent, it is because of some other reason rather than food.