Pineapple, Coffee and Arriving in US
I've read some posts and still have a few questions for our Hawaii trip at the end of January.
1. Is Pineapple the only fruit that can be brought back into the US? 2. Can we bring coffee back without issue? 3. Do we go through inspection prior to boarding in Hawaii? 4. Do we go through inspection when arriving in the US? Thanks |
Pssst..... You'll be in the U.S. the whole time ;)
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Originally Posted by milesk
(Post 15608731)
I've read some posts and still have a few questions for our Hawaii trip at the end of January.
1. Is Pineapple the only fruit that can be brought back into the US? 2. Can we bring coffee back without issue? 3. Do we go through inspection prior to boarding in Hawaii? 4. Do we go through inspection when arriving in the US? Thanks You'll go thru the USDA screening when you are departing the islands to the mainland, but not inter-island. You won't have any inspection once you reached the mainland. |
roasted coffee yes, pineapples after inspection yes
Predeparture
Passenger Baggage Inspection Notice for Travelers from Hawaii to the U.S. Mainland and Guam American agriculture is constantly being threatened by plant and animal pests and diseases. Many are microscopic. Every traveler, even those traveling from Hawaii to the U.S. mainland and Guam, may unknowingly carry these hitchhikers that could seriously damage American agriculture. All passenger baggage moving from Hawaii to the U.S. mainland and Guam is subject to inspection. These inspections are performed prior to departure at the airport by inspectors from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Please be prepared to open and close your own baggage. Do not tape coolers and boxes closed until after inspection. In addition, all agricultural items being shipped to the U.S. mainland must be inspected prior to being presented to airline cargo offices, the post office, or other courier services. If you have any agricultural items with you, please inform the inspector. Failure to declare these items can result in delays and fines of $1,000 or more. Permitted Items from Hawaii into the U.S. Mainland and Guam (after passing inspection): Beach sand Coconuts Cooked foods Dried seeds Dried decorative arrangements Fresh flowers (except gardenia, jade vine, and Mauna Loa) Hinahina (Spanish moss) “Irish” or white potatoes Pineapples Rocks or stones Seashells (except land snail shells) Wood (including drift wood and sticks) Note: Papayas require treatments before they can be shipped to the U.S. mainland. Commercially canned and thoroughly cooked foods are permitted. Additional Items Permitted from Hawaii to Guam: Beets Rutabagas Turnips (without tops) Items from Hawaii Not Permitted into the U.S. Mainland: Berries of any kind, including coffee berries and sea grapes Cactus plants or parts Cotton and cotton bolls Fresh flowers of gardenia, jade vine, and Mauna Loa Fresh pulpy fruits and vegetables (except pineapple) Kikania and fresh pandanus Live insects and snails Plants in soil Seeds with pulp and fresh seed pods Soil Sugarcane Swamp cabbage (unchoy) Sweet potato (raw) The preceding lists are subject to change. For more information, call the USDA, APHIS, Plant Protection and Quarantine office at: Hilo: (808) 933–6931 Honolulu: (808) 861–8490 Kailua–Kona: (808) 326–1252 Lihue: (808) 245–2831 Maui: (808) 877–5261 Agricultural Inspection Notice Plant Protection and Quarantine September 2004 APHIS The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720–2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326–W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250–9410 or call (202) 720–5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. United States Department of Agriculture • Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service • Safeguarding American Agriculture |
Originally Posted by Anthemflyer
(Post 15609974)
TSA will confiscate any fruit that is not sold in the airport, so pretty much only pineapple & touristy painted coconuts will be allowed. Coffee is OK, as its roasted. Basically any fresh fruit is prohibited due to pests & fungus. If its processed or roasted, you're OK.
You'll go thru the USDA screening when you are departing the islands to the mainland, but not inter-island. You won't have any inspection once you reached the mainland. Also, the TSA has nothing to do with this - they don't have the authority nor the right to confiscate any fruit of any kind, no matter the source. The ONLY authority who can examine and/or confiscate fruit at the airport is the USDA inspector. OP: you do realize (I hope) that Hawai'i is part of the US and a state, so I'll assume you meant 'returning to the mainland'. |
Originally Posted by bocastephen
(Post 15612351)
Also, the TSA has nothing to do with this - they don't have the authority nor the right to confiscate any fruit of any kind, no matter the source. The ONLY authority who can examine and/or confiscate fruit at the airport is the USDA inspector.
OP: you do realize (I hope) that Hawai'i is part of the US and a state, so I'll assume you meant 'returning to the mainland'. To add on to the point about the USDA inspectors. All hand carried luggage that is screened by the TSA is also concurrently screened (in the overseas terminal at least) by USDA officers stationed past the TSA. Also, for arriving pax, the Hawaii Ag Dept has trained beagles roaming baggage claim looking for things brought into Hawaii that shouldn't be there. |
Thanks everyone! And yes I do know that Hawaii is a state :) and meant mainland. After reading posts (we're a first time Hawaii visitor) it seemed like there was additional inspections that are not performed on typical mainland flights.
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