Coca tea, worth the bother?
Sep 19, 2011 | 2:20 am
#1
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Coca tea, worth the bother?
A CBP question
I would like to bring some coca tea to Florida with me to post back to a friend in the UK.
Some websites say it is illegal in the USA, some other websites say that it is for sale in the USA in specialist outlets.
Is it worth taking it? Should I declare it as herbal teabags on my customs form? I don't think not even declaring it is an option as then I look like I have hidden it on purpose.
Anyone got experience of bringing it through customs?
I would like to bring some coca tea to Florida with me to post back to a friend in the UK.
Some websites say it is illegal in the USA, some other websites say that it is for sale in the USA in specialist outlets.
Is it worth taking it? Should I declare it as herbal teabags on my customs form? I don't think not even declaring it is an option as then I look like I have hidden it on purpose.
Anyone got experience of bringing it through customs?
Sep 19, 2011 | 11:24 am
#3
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If only Chollie, but Colombia does not have a serviceable national mail service whereas the USA does. They would charge me $20 to send it then just lose it.
I could courier it with Fed Ex for about $150 but it simply is not important enough
I could courier it with Fed Ex for about $150 but it simply is not important enough
Sep 19, 2011 | 3:11 pm
#4
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Is it worth taking it? Should I declare it as herbal teabags on my customs form?
I don't think not even declaring it is an option as then I look like I have hidden it on purpose.
Anyone got experience of bringing it through customs?
Anyone got experience of bringing it through customs?
Last edited by essxjay; Sep 19, 2011 at 3:18 pm
Sep 19, 2011 | 3:56 pm
#5
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I'd be curious to know if it is actually a prohibited item or if this is just a traveller's rumor. I heard the same thing when I was in Peru.
Similar to this - lived near the northern border for quite a while. I never saw it documented, but rumor has it that it is illegal to bring back more than one large-size bottle of "2-2-2's" (OTC aspirin/acetaminophen/codeine, like a low-grade non-prescription tylenol-3).
Sep 19, 2011 | 5:06 pm
#6
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US Customs says that the importation of coca leaves for any purpose is illegal.
https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/det...a%20Tea%20Mate
https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/det...a%20Tea%20Mate
Sep 19, 2011 | 6:06 pm
#7
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US Customs says that the importation of coca leaves for any purpose is illegal.
https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/det...a%20Tea%20Mate
https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/det...a%20Tea%20Mate
US State dept travel advice for Peru
Although coca-leaf tea is a popular beverage and folk remedy for altitude sickness in Peru, possession of these tea bags, which are sold in most Peruvian supermarkets, is illegal in the United States.