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U.S. Customs from Mexico.

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Old Jun 4, 2011 | 10:51 pm
  #1  
mclark35
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U.S. Customs from Mexico.
Hello, I am in Mexico for the next few days. I Bought a coconut. I am wondering if I will be able to bring it home through customs? I have been trying to read online but some say no and some say you can without the husk or milk, and others just say you can. Has any done this before? Please help!
Thanks!
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Old Jun 4, 2011 | 11:19 pm
  #2  
keloutwest
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Originally Posted by mclark35
Hello, I am in Mexico for the next few days. I Bought a coconut. I am wondering if I will be able to bring it home through customs? I have been trying to read online but some say no and some say you can without the husk or milk, and others just say you can. Has any done this before? Please help!
Thanks!
Suggestion: don't risk it, get home, buy a coconut from Safeway and tell your friends you plucked that coconut from a giant tree in Mexico by climbing up with your bare hands and flip flops.
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Old Jun 4, 2011 | 11:33 pm
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BearX220
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Originally Posted by mclark35
Hello, I am in Mexico for the next few days. I Bought a coconut. I am wondering if I will be able to bring it home through customs?
It is an agricultural product; therefore, no.
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Old Jun 4, 2011 | 11:33 pm
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Unless you have to make a tradeoff to get the thing home (like throw away a pair of shoes to make room in your luggage) then bring it home, and declare it. The worst that happens is they take it away.
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Old Jun 5, 2011 | 10:43 am
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mre5765
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Declare it, and have the receipt handy. If you bought it in a supermarket, such as a Wal-Mart, you might have a better chance of keeping it.
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Old Jun 5, 2011 | 2:08 pm
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MaximumSisu
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Don't bother bringing it, importation of coconut from Mexico requires import permit -- it's unlikely you're looking to do this.
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Old Jun 5, 2011 | 2:22 pm
  #7  
Often1
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Originally Posted by mclark35
Hello, I am in Mexico for the next few days. I Bought a coconut. I am wondering if I will be able to bring it home through customs? I have been trying to read online but some say no and some say you can without the husk or milk, and others just say you can. Has any done this before? Please help!
Thanks!
Not a Customs but rather an Agriculture issue (generally same inspection station). No, you may not bring the item in. If you declare it, will be seized. If you don't and get caught, it's a whopping fine. And, before you feel bad, there is a very good reason. One item can cause millions of dollars of damage to US agriculture. And, feel good - because if you like coconut, you can buy them at a local super market in the USA.
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Old Jun 5, 2011 | 2:39 pm
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ESpen36
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Originally Posted by Often1
And, feel good - because if you like coconut, you can buy them at a local super market in the USA.

....and chances are that coconut you buy in the USA supermarket might come from Mexico anyhow!!!
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Old Jun 5, 2011 | 4:09 pm
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Ari
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Originally Posted by BearX220
It is an agricultural product; therefore, no.
Certain agricultural products can be imorted so long as they are declared; it is not an automatic no for all agricultural products.
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Old Jun 5, 2011 | 4:14 pm
  #10  
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Even if Customs hands you back your coconut, there is then the California Agricultural Inspection, and if you were to admit to having a coconut, it would be seized, period.
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Old Jun 5, 2011 | 8:46 pm
  #11  
LuvAirFrance
 
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A food item as a souvenir?
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Old Jun 6, 2011 | 1:44 pm
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I would advise NOT trying to smuggle it in what CBP refers to as a "body cavity".
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Old Jun 6, 2011 | 6:46 pm
  #13  
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How are you coming back? If you're using a land crossing, just put it in your bag and only mention it if they ask you if you're bringing anything back. The usually don't.
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Old Jun 6, 2011 | 9:01 pm
  #14  
janetdoe
 
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https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/det...r-personal-use

The following items are admissable:

-coconuts-husks must have been completely removed and cannot have sprouted
But definitely declare it as "coconut with husk removed. And prepare for possible extra time spent in customs.
Last edited by janetdoe; Jun 6, 2011 at 9:16 pm Reason: Found the official answer
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Old Jun 6, 2011 | 9:34 pm
  #15  
thegreathabibi
 
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Originally Posted by polonius
I would advise NOT trying to smuggle it in what CBP refers to as a "body cavity".
The look on the persons face smuggling that through customs might just give his strategic hiding place away!


The coconuts from mexico aren't any sweeter and not worth the trouble, agricultural products are taken very seriously at the points of entry
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