Should I declare chocolate as “food” when entering the US?
It is being customary we bring a few authentic Russian chocolate bars/sweets to the US but we are always struggling whether we should check that "food" checkbox in the "Customs Declaration" form?
It is under the following entry in the form (yeah, together with insects, right):
I am (We are) bringing:
fruits, vegetables, plants, seeds, food, insects
I've been always checking it but that just gets us into more lines and triggers extra questions after getting to the baggage check.
usa customs-and-immigration food-and-drink local-customs
asked Dec 30 '18 at 2:47
alecxe
381218
add a comment |
It is being customary we bring a few authentic Russian chocolate bars/sweets to the US but we are always struggling whether we should check that "food" checkbox in the "Customs Declaration" form?
It is under the following entry in the form (yeah, together with insects, right):
I am (We are) bringing:
fruits, vegetables, plants, seeds, food, insects
I've been always checking it but that just gets us into more lines and triggers extra questions after getting to the baggage check.
usa customs-and-immigration food-and-drink local-customs
asked Dec 30 '18 at 2:47
alecxe
381218
2
Related question, same foodstuff, different country, slightly different question travel.stackexchange.com/questions/10930/…
– Andrew Grimm
Dec 30 '18 at 8:15
1
As a side note, do not put your chocolate inside a suitcase that has soap, shampoo, or perfume. I found out the hard way. I would double bag it.
– Scot Parker
Jan 1 at 21:58
3
You could squeeze in some information on the form and say "chocolate" next to the Yes [X]
– Nick T
Jan 2 at 1:29
1
@ScotParker Ew!
– Lightness Races in Orbit
2 days ago
add a comment |
It is being customary we bring a few authentic Russian chocolate bars/sweets to the US but we are always struggling whether we should check that "food" checkbox in the "Customs Declaration" form?
It is under the following entry in the form (yeah, together with insects, right):
I am (We are) bringing:
fruits, vegetables, plants, seeds, food, insects
I've been always checking it but that just gets us into more lines and triggers extra questions after getting to the baggage check.
usa customs-and-immigration food-and-drink local-customs
asked Dec 30 '18 at 2:47
alecxe
381218
It is being customary we bring a few authentic Russian chocolate bars/sweets to the US but we are always struggling whether we should check that "food" checkbox in the "Customs Declaration" form?
It is under the following entry in the form (yeah, together with insects, right):
I am (We are) bringing:
fruits, vegetables, plants, seeds, food, insects
I've been always checking it but that just gets us into more lines and triggers extra questions after getting to the baggage check.
usa customs-and-immigration food-and-drink local-customs
usa customs-and-immigration food-and-drink local-customs
asked Dec 30 '18 at 2:47
alecxe
381218
asked Dec 30 '18 at 2:47
alecxe
381218
asked Dec 30 '18 at 2:47
alecxe
381218
asked Dec 30 '18 at 2:47
alecxe
381218
asked Dec 30 '18 at 2:47
alecxe
381218
381218
2
Related question, same foodstuff, different country, slightly different question travel.stackexchange.com/questions/10930/…
– Andrew Grimm
Dec 30 '18 at 8:15
1
As a side note, do not put your chocolate inside a suitcase that has soap, shampoo, or perfume. I found out the hard way. I would double bag it.
– Scot Parker
Jan 1 at 21:58
3
You could squeeze in some information on the form and say "chocolate" next to the Yes [X]
– Nick T
Jan 2 at 1:29
1
@ScotParker Ew!
– Lightness Races in Orbit
2 days ago
add a comment |
2
Related question, same foodstuff, different country, slightly different question travel.stackexchange.com/questions/10930/…
– Andrew Grimm
Dec 30 '18 at 8:15
1
As a side note, do not put your chocolate inside a suitcase that has soap, shampoo, or perfume. I found out the hard way. I would double bag it.
– Scot Parker
Jan 1 at 21:58
3
You could squeeze in some information on the form and say "chocolate" next to the Yes [X]
– Nick T
Jan 2 at 1:29
1
@ScotParker Ew!
– Lightness Races in Orbit
2 days ago
2
2
Related question, same foodstuff, different country, slightly different question travel.stackexchange.com/questions/10930/…
– Andrew Grimm
Dec 30 '18 at 8:15
Related question, same foodstuff, different country, slightly different question travel.stackexchange.com/questions/10930/…
– Andrew Grimm
Dec 30 '18 at 8:15
1
1
As a side note, do not put your chocolate inside a suitcase that has soap, shampoo, or perfume. I found out the hard way. I would double bag it.
– Scot Parker
Jan 1 at 21:58
As a side note, do not put your chocolate inside a suitcase that has soap, shampoo, or perfume. I found out the hard way. I would double bag it.
– Scot Parker
Jan 1 at 21:58
3
3
You could squeeze in some information on the form and say "chocolate" next to the Yes [X]
– Nick T
Jan 2 at 1:29
You could squeeze in some information on the form and say "chocolate" next to the Yes [X]
– Nick T
Jan 2 at 1:29
1
1
@ScotParker Ew!
– Lightness Races in Orbit
2 days ago
@ScotParker Ew!
– Lightness Races in Orbit
2 days ago
add a comment |
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
Yes, according to US CBP officers, you should declare it as food. I bring chocolate every time I fly from Europe.
Generally what happens next is they ask what exactly you are bringing, you say "chocolate" and they let you go.
As a general rule, if you are not sure whether something needs to be declared or not, declare it. There are no penalties for declaring something which doesn't need to be declared.
edited Dec 31 '18 at 15:05
Casey Jones
1334
answered Dec 30 '18 at 3:05
George Y.
19.6k13378
13
This is my experience as well. I sometimes volunteer that it’s prepackaged chocolate when I hand in the paperwork at customs, and they usually wave me through.
– Zach Lipton
Dec 30 '18 at 3:07
10
If you say anything reasonable (e.g. "canned fish", "chocolate", "nuts", etc.) the CBP people will hardly raise their eyebrows.
– xuq01
Dec 30 '18 at 4:06
20
Last time I cautiously declared something that ended up not being declare-worthy, after some paperwork shuffling the officers got rather impatient and rude with me for seemingly wasting their time, making me feel less than excellent. However, this is better than the alternative, the outcome if you're caught not declaring something that you should!
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Dec 30 '18 at 17:46
3
@crasic: Fresh produce (fruits & vegetables) will usually need to be inspected as well. In both cases, the main concern is pathogens/pests that could adversely affect US agriculture.
– Michael Seifert
Dec 31 '18 at 16:16
6
Well, even "chocolate" in the form of Kinder eggs could be verboten (the real kind, not the imitation we have).
– user3067860
Dec 31 '18 at 19:33
|
show 8 more comments
a) Chocolate, being a thing eaten by humans, is indeed "food."
b) If you say you're not carrying food, and your baggage is searched by Customs and the chocolate discovered, then they have you for lying on your Customs forms. That would be uncomfortable, possibly expensive, and could result in entry to the US being delayed or denied.
answered Dec 30 '18 at 3:08
David
2,3401418
30
That's an important point that many people do not seem to know. If you do not declare something which you should have declared, you may be fined (or worse), sometimes even if the item is allowed! But if you declare it, then you won't be fined (or worse) even if the item is not allowed to enter the country. (Of course this doesn't include illegal things like weapons or drugs...) You might still have to pay tax or duty sometimes though.
– Michael Hampton
Dec 30 '18 at 6:41
2
Presumably you don't have to pay duty if it's not allowed in but confiscated and destroyed instead. @MichaelHampton
– Andrew Leach
Dec 30 '18 at 10:23
2
@FedericoPoloni not if they're alive.
– phoog
Dec 30 '18 at 14:10
6
If they really hate you, lying to CBP violates 18 USC 1001, which is a felony. So definitely don't lie.
– Kevin
Dec 30 '18 at 16:41
6
@Kevin "I didn't know chocolate was food" is going to come off pretty lame in any event.
– David
Dec 31 '18 at 22:48
|
show 14 more comments
Yes, always declare all food. Your honesty will be much appreciated by CBP.
I have always been treated profesionally, with courtesy, even friendly. I always itemize my food on the Customs form, emphasizing meat products. It's foolish to hide any, they (used to) have these Beagle dogs that will rat you out by sitting down and giving you that cute look.
In 2010 I hoped to bring the ingredients for split pea soup, including smoked sausage. Meat per se was not forbidden, it depended on the diseases of the period, and this was a foot-and-mouth season. They made me translate all the ingredients lists, and as soon as I reached "beef collagen" the article was confiscated. So I skipped right to the "beef" parts and I lost over half my food stuff. I received no penalty, of course, but my host who loves the soup was less happy.
answered Dec 31 '18 at 13:20
Jeroen van Duyn
1312
New contributor
Jeroen van Duyn is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
3
Yeah. The beagle's official denomination is Agriculgure Canine. And they are as cute as their smell is acute.
– Mindwin
Dec 31 '18 at 13:36
That's a sad story! I would be very sad to miss out on a traditional soup like that!
– Fattie
2 days ago
add a comment |
You need to answer all questions honestly, so if the question is about whether you are carrying food, you need to answer yes, since chocolate is food.
If the question is confusing and you don't know whether to declare it or not, you should always declare it, since there is zero penalty (except for some of your time) for declaring something you didn't need to, but fairly severe penalties (even if the item found is non-harmful or is confiscated) if you don't declare something you should have.
answered Jan 2 at 0:44
T.R.
20611
add a comment |
protected by Willeke♦ Jan 1 at 22:00
Thank you for your interest in this question.
Because it has attracted low-quality or spam answers that had to be removed, posting an answer now requires 10 reputation on this site (the association bonus does not count).
Would you like to answer one of these unanswered questions instead?
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
Yes, according to US CBP officers, you should declare it as food. I bring chocolate every time I fly from Europe.
Generally what happens next is they ask what exactly you are bringing, you say "chocolate" and they let you go.
As a general rule, if you are not sure whether something needs to be declared or not, declare it. There are no penalties for declaring something which doesn't need to be declared.
edited Dec 31 '18 at 15:05
Casey Jones
1334
answered Dec 30 '18 at 3:05
George Y.
19.6k13378
13
This is my experience as well. I sometimes volunteer that it’s prepackaged chocolate when I hand in the paperwork at customs, and they usually wave me through.
– Zach Lipton
Dec 30 '18 at 3:07
10
If you say anything reasonable (e.g. "canned fish", "chocolate", "nuts", etc.) the CBP people will hardly raise their eyebrows.
– xuq01
Dec 30 '18 at 4:06
20
Last time I cautiously declared something that ended up not being declare-worthy, after some paperwork shuffling the officers got rather impatient and rude with me for seemingly wasting their time, making me feel less than excellent. However, this is better than the alternative, the outcome if you're caught not declaring something that you should!
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Dec 30 '18 at 17:46
3
@crasic: Fresh produce (fruits & vegetables) will usually need to be inspected as well. In both cases, the main concern is pathogens/pests that could adversely affect US agriculture.
– Michael Seifert
Dec 31 '18 at 16:16
6
Well, even "chocolate" in the form of Kinder eggs could be verboten (the real kind, not the imitation we have).
– user3067860
Dec 31 '18 at 19:33
|
show 8 more comments
Yes, according to US CBP officers, you should declare it as food. I bring chocolate every time I fly from Europe.
Generally what happens next is they ask what exactly you are bringing, you say "chocolate" and they let you go.
As a general rule, if you are not sure whether something needs to be declared or not, declare it. There are no penalties for declaring something which doesn't need to be declared.
edited Dec 31 '18 at 15:05
Casey Jones
1334
answered Dec 30 '18 at 3:05
George Y.
19.6k13378
13
This is my experience as well. I sometimes volunteer that it’s prepackaged chocolate when I hand in the paperwork at customs, and they usually wave me through.
– Zach Lipton
Dec 30 '18 at 3:07
10
If you say anything reasonable (e.g. "canned fish", "chocolate", "nuts", etc.) the CBP people will hardly raise their eyebrows.
– xuq01
Dec 30 '18 at 4:06
20
Last time I cautiously declared something that ended up not being declare-worthy, after some paperwork shuffling the officers got rather impatient and rude with me for seemingly wasting their time, making me feel less than excellent. However, this is better than the alternative, the outcome if you're caught not declaring something that you should!
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Dec 30 '18 at 17:46
3
@crasic: Fresh produce (fruits & vegetables) will usually need to be inspected as well. In both cases, the main concern is pathogens/pests that could adversely affect US agriculture.
– Michael Seifert
Dec 31 '18 at 16:16
6
Well, even "chocolate" in the form of Kinder eggs could be verboten (the real kind, not the imitation we have).
– user3067860
Dec 31 '18 at 19:33
|
show 8 more comments
Yes, according to US CBP officers, you should declare it as food. I bring chocolate every time I fly from Europe.
Generally what happens next is they ask what exactly you are bringing, you say "chocolate" and they let you go.
As a general rule, if you are not sure whether something needs to be declared or not, declare it. There are no penalties for declaring something which doesn't need to be declared.
edited Dec 31 '18 at 15:05
Casey Jones
1334
answered Dec 30 '18 at 3:05
George Y.
19.6k13378
Yes, according to US CBP officers, you should declare it as food. I bring chocolate every time I fly from Europe.
Generally what happens next is they ask what exactly you are bringing, you say "chocolate" and they let you go.
As a general rule, if you are not sure whether something needs to be declared or not, declare it. There are no penalties for declaring something which doesn't need to be declared.
edited Dec 31 '18 at 15:05
Casey Jones
1334
answered Dec 30 '18 at 3:05
George Y.
19.6k13378
edited Dec 31 '18 at 15:05
Casey Jones
1334
edited Dec 31 '18 at 15:05
Casey Jones
1334
edited Dec 31 '18 at 15:05
Casey Jones
1334
1334
answered Dec 30 '18 at 3:05
George Y.
19.6k13378
answered Dec 30 '18 at 3:05
George Y.
19.6k13378
answered Dec 30 '18 at 3:05
George Y.
19.6k13378
19.6k13378
13
This is my experience as well. I sometimes volunteer that it’s prepackaged chocolate when I hand in the paperwork at customs, and they usually wave me through.
– Zach Lipton
Dec 30 '18 at 3:07
10
If you say anything reasonable (e.g. "canned fish", "chocolate", "nuts", etc.) the CBP people will hardly raise their eyebrows.
– xuq01
Dec 30 '18 at 4:06
20
Last time I cautiously declared something that ended up not being declare-worthy, after some paperwork shuffling the officers got rather impatient and rude with me for seemingly wasting their time, making me feel less than excellent. However, this is better than the alternative, the outcome if you're caught not declaring something that you should!
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Dec 30 '18 at 17:46
3
@crasic: Fresh produce (fruits & vegetables) will usually need to be inspected as well. In both cases, the main concern is pathogens/pests that could adversely affect US agriculture.
– Michael Seifert
Dec 31 '18 at 16:16
6
Well, even "chocolate" in the form of Kinder eggs could be verboten (the real kind, not the imitation we have).
– user3067860
Dec 31 '18 at 19:33
|
show 8 more comments
13
This is my experience as well. I sometimes volunteer that it’s prepackaged chocolate when I hand in the paperwork at customs, and they usually wave me through.
– Zach Lipton
Dec 30 '18 at 3:07
10
If you say anything reasonable (e.g. "canned fish", "chocolate", "nuts", etc.) the CBP people will hardly raise their eyebrows.
– xuq01
Dec 30 '18 at 4:06
20
Last time I cautiously declared something that ended up not being declare-worthy, after some paperwork shuffling the officers got rather impatient and rude with me for seemingly wasting their time, making me feel less than excellent. However, this is better than the alternative, the outcome if you're caught not declaring something that you should!
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Dec 30 '18 at 17:46
3
@crasic: Fresh produce (fruits & vegetables) will usually need to be inspected as well. In both cases, the main concern is pathogens/pests that could adversely affect US agriculture.
– Michael Seifert
Dec 31 '18 at 16:16
6
Well, even "chocolate" in the form of Kinder eggs could be verboten (the real kind, not the imitation we have).
– user3067860
Dec 31 '18 at 19:33
13
13
This is my experience as well. I sometimes volunteer that it’s prepackaged chocolate when I hand in the paperwork at customs, and they usually wave me through.
– Zach Lipton
Dec 30 '18 at 3:07
This is my experience as well. I sometimes volunteer that it’s prepackaged chocolate when I hand in the paperwork at customs, and they usually wave me through.
– Zach Lipton
Dec 30 '18 at 3:07
10
10
If you say anything reasonable (e.g. "canned fish", "chocolate", "nuts", etc.) the CBP people will hardly raise their eyebrows.
– xuq01
Dec 30 '18 at 4:06
If you say anything reasonable (e.g. "canned fish", "chocolate", "nuts", etc.) the CBP people will hardly raise their eyebrows.
– xuq01
Dec 30 '18 at 4:06
20
20
Last time I cautiously declared something that ended up not being declare-worthy, after some paperwork shuffling the officers got rather impatient and rude with me for seemingly wasting their time, making me feel less than excellent. However, this is better than the alternative, the outcome if you're caught not declaring something that you should!
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Dec 30 '18 at 17:46
Last time I cautiously declared something that ended up not being declare-worthy, after some paperwork shuffling the officers got rather impatient and rude with me for seemingly wasting their time, making me feel less than excellent. However, this is better than the alternative, the outcome if you're caught not declaring something that you should!
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Dec 30 '18 at 17:46
3
3
@crasic: Fresh produce (fruits & vegetables) will usually need to be inspected as well. In both cases, the main concern is pathogens/pests that could adversely affect US agriculture.
– Michael Seifert
Dec 31 '18 at 16:16
@crasic: Fresh produce (fruits & vegetables) will usually need to be inspected as well. In both cases, the main concern is pathogens/pests that could adversely affect US agriculture.
– Michael Seifert
Dec 31 '18 at 16:16
6
6
Well, even "chocolate" in the form of Kinder eggs could be verboten (the real kind, not the imitation we have).
– user3067860
Dec 31 '18 at 19:33
Well, even "chocolate" in the form of Kinder eggs could be verboten (the real kind, not the imitation we have).
– user3067860
Dec 31 '18 at 19:33
|
show 8 more comments
a) Chocolate, being a thing eaten by humans, is indeed "food."
b) If you say you're not carrying food, and your baggage is searched by Customs and the chocolate discovered, then they have you for lying on your Customs forms. That would be uncomfortable, possibly expensive, and could result in entry to the US being delayed or denied.
answered Dec 30 '18 at 3:08
David
2,3401418
30
That's an important point that many people do not seem to know. If you do not declare something which you should have declared, you may be fined (or worse), sometimes even if the item is allowed! But if you declare it, then you won't be fined (or worse) even if the item is not allowed to enter the country. (Of course this doesn't include illegal things like weapons or drugs...) You might still have to pay tax or duty sometimes though.
– Michael Hampton
Dec 30 '18 at 6:41
2
Presumably you don't have to pay duty if it's not allowed in but confiscated and destroyed instead. @MichaelHampton
– Andrew Leach
Dec 30 '18 at 10:23
2
@FedericoPoloni not if they're alive.
– phoog
Dec 30 '18 at 14:10
6
If they really hate you, lying to CBP violates 18 USC 1001, which is a felony. So definitely don't lie.
– Kevin
Dec 30 '18 at 16:41
6
@Kevin "I didn't know chocolate was food" is going to come off pretty lame in any event.
– David
Dec 31 '18 at 22:48
|
show 14 more comments
a) Chocolate, being a thing eaten by humans, is indeed "food."
b) If you say you're not carrying food, and your baggage is searched by Customs and the chocolate discovered, then they have you for lying on your Customs forms. That would be uncomfortable, possibly expensive, and could result in entry to the US being delayed or denied.
answered Dec 30 '18 at 3:08
David
2,3401418
30
That's an important point that many people do not seem to know. If you do not declare something which you should have declared, you may be fined (or worse), sometimes even if the item is allowed! But if you declare it, then you won't be fined (or worse) even if the item is not allowed to enter the country. (Of course this doesn't include illegal things like weapons or drugs...) You might still have to pay tax or duty sometimes though.
– Michael Hampton
Dec 30 '18 at 6:41
2
Presumably you don't have to pay duty if it's not allowed in but confiscated and destroyed instead. @MichaelHampton
– Andrew Leach
Dec 30 '18 at 10:23
2
@FedericoPoloni not if they're alive.
– phoog
Dec 30 '18 at 14:10
6
If they really hate you, lying to CBP violates 18 USC 1001, which is a felony. So definitely don't lie.
– Kevin
Dec 30 '18 at 16:41
6
@Kevin "I didn't know chocolate was food" is going to come off pretty lame in any event.
– David
Dec 31 '18 at 22:48
|
show 14 more comments
a) Chocolate, being a thing eaten by humans, is indeed "food."
b) If you say you're not carrying food, and your baggage is searched by Customs and the chocolate discovered, then they have you for lying on your Customs forms. That would be uncomfortable, possibly expensive, and could result in entry to the US being delayed or denied.
answered Dec 30 '18 at 3:08
David
2,3401418
a) Chocolate, being a thing eaten by humans, is indeed "food."
b) If you say you're not carrying food, and your baggage is searched by Customs and the chocolate discovered, then they have you for lying on your Customs forms. That would be uncomfortable, possibly expensive, and could result in entry to the US being delayed or denied.
answered Dec 30 '18 at 3:08
David
2,3401418
edited Dec 30 '18 at 16:21
answered Dec 30 '18 at 3:08
David
2,3401418
answered Dec 30 '18 at 3:08
David
2,3401418
answered Dec 30 '18 at 3:08
David
2,3401418
2,3401418
30
That's an important point that many people do not seem to know. If you do not declare something which you should have declared, you may be fined (or worse), sometimes even if the item is allowed! But if you declare it, then you won't be fined (or worse) even if the item is not allowed to enter the country. (Of course this doesn't include illegal things like weapons or drugs...) You might still have to pay tax or duty sometimes though.
– Michael Hampton
Dec 30 '18 at 6:41
2
Presumably you don't have to pay duty if it's not allowed in but confiscated and destroyed instead. @MichaelHampton
– Andrew Leach
Dec 30 '18 at 10:23
2
@FedericoPoloni not if they're alive.
– phoog
Dec 30 '18 at 14:10
6
If they really hate you, lying to CBP violates 18 USC 1001, which is a felony. So definitely don't lie.
– Kevin
Dec 30 '18 at 16:41
6
@Kevin "I didn't know chocolate was food" is going to come off pretty lame in any event.
– David
Dec 31 '18 at 22:48
|
show 14 more comments
30
That's an important point that many people do not seem to know. If you do not declare something which you should have declared, you may be fined (or worse), sometimes even if the item is allowed! But if you declare it, then you won't be fined (or worse) even if the item is not allowed to enter the country. (Of course this doesn't include illegal things like weapons or drugs...) You might still have to pay tax or duty sometimes though.
– Michael Hampton
Dec 30 '18 at 6:41
2
Presumably you don't have to pay duty if it's not allowed in but confiscated and destroyed instead. @MichaelHampton
– Andrew Leach
Dec 30 '18 at 10:23
2
@FedericoPoloni not if they're alive.
– phoog
Dec 30 '18 at 14:10
6
If they really hate you, lying to CBP violates 18 USC 1001, which is a felony. So definitely don't lie.
– Kevin
Dec 30 '18 at 16:41
6
@Kevin "I didn't know chocolate was food" is going to come off pretty lame in any event.
– David
Dec 31 '18 at 22:48
30
30
That's an important point that many people do not seem to know. If you do not declare something which you should have declared, you may be fined (or worse), sometimes even if the item is allowed! But if you declare it, then you won't be fined (or worse) even if the item is not allowed to enter the country. (Of course this doesn't include illegal things like weapons or drugs...) You might still have to pay tax or duty sometimes though.
– Michael Hampton
Dec 30 '18 at 6:41
That's an important point that many people do not seem to know. If you do not declare something which you should have declared, you may be fined (or worse), sometimes even if the item is allowed! But if you declare it, then you won't be fined (or worse) even if the item is not allowed to enter the country. (Of course this doesn't include illegal things like weapons or drugs...) You might still have to pay tax or duty sometimes though.
– Michael Hampton
Dec 30 '18 at 6:41
2
2
Presumably you don't have to pay duty if it's not allowed in but confiscated and destroyed instead. @MichaelHampton
– Andrew Leach
Dec 30 '18 at 10:23
Presumably you don't have to pay duty if it's not allowed in but confiscated and destroyed instead. @MichaelHampton
– Andrew Leach
Dec 30 '18 at 10:23
2
2
@FedericoPoloni not if they're alive.
– phoog
Dec 30 '18 at 14:10
@FedericoPoloni not if they're alive.
– phoog
Dec 30 '18 at 14:10
6
6
If they really hate you, lying to CBP violates 18 USC 1001, which is a felony. So definitely don't lie.
– Kevin
Dec 30 '18 at 16:41
If they really hate you, lying to CBP violates 18 USC 1001, which is a felony. So definitely don't lie.
– Kevin
Dec 30 '18 at 16:41
6
6
@Kevin "I didn't know chocolate was food" is going to come off pretty lame in any event.
– David
Dec 31 '18 at 22:48
@Kevin "I didn't know chocolate was food" is going to come off pretty lame in any event.
– David
Dec 31 '18 at 22:48
|
show 14 more comments
Yes, always declare all food. Your honesty will be much appreciated by CBP.
I have always been treated profesionally, with courtesy, even friendly. I always itemize my food on the Customs form, emphasizing meat products. It's foolish to hide any, they (used to) have these Beagle dogs that will rat you out by sitting down and giving you that cute look.
In 2010 I hoped to bring the ingredients for split pea soup, including smoked sausage. Meat per se was not forbidden, it depended on the diseases of the period, and this was a foot-and-mouth season. They made me translate all the ingredients lists, and as soon as I reached "beef collagen" the article was confiscated. So I skipped right to the "beef" parts and I lost over half my food stuff. I received no penalty, of course, but my host who loves the soup was less happy.
answered Dec 31 '18 at 13:20
Jeroen van Duyn
1312
New contributor
Jeroen van Duyn is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
3
Yeah. The beagle's official denomination is Agriculgure Canine. And they are as cute as their smell is acute.
– Mindwin
Dec 31 '18 at 13:36
That's a sad story! I would be very sad to miss out on a traditional soup like that!
– Fattie
2 days ago
add a comment |
Yes, always declare all food. Your honesty will be much appreciated by CBP.
I have always been treated profesionally, with courtesy, even friendly. I always itemize my food on the Customs form, emphasizing meat products. It's foolish to hide any, they (used to) have these Beagle dogs that will rat you out by sitting down and giving you that cute look.
In 2010 I hoped to bring the ingredients for split pea soup, including smoked sausage. Meat per se was not forbidden, it depended on the diseases of the period, and this was a foot-and-mouth season. They made me translate all the ingredients lists, and as soon as I reached "beef collagen" the article was confiscated. So I skipped right to the "beef" parts and I lost over half my food stuff. I received no penalty, of course, but my host who loves the soup was less happy.
answered Dec 31 '18 at 13:20
Jeroen van Duyn
1312
New contributor
Jeroen van Duyn is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
3
Yeah. The beagle's official denomination is Agriculgure Canine. And they are as cute as their smell is acute.
– Mindwin
Dec 31 '18 at 13:36
That's a sad story! I would be very sad to miss out on a traditional soup like that!
– Fattie
2 days ago
add a comment |
Yes, always declare all food. Your honesty will be much appreciated by CBP.
I have always been treated profesionally, with courtesy, even friendly. I always itemize my food on the Customs form, emphasizing meat products. It's foolish to hide any, they (used to) have these Beagle dogs that will rat you out by sitting down and giving you that cute look.
In 2010 I hoped to bring the ingredients for split pea soup, including smoked sausage. Meat per se was not forbidden, it depended on the diseases of the period, and this was a foot-and-mouth season. They made me translate all the ingredients lists, and as soon as I reached "beef collagen" the article was confiscated. So I skipped right to the "beef" parts and I lost over half my food stuff. I received no penalty, of course, but my host who loves the soup was less happy.
answered Dec 31 '18 at 13:20
Jeroen van Duyn
1312
New contributor
Jeroen van Duyn is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Yes, always declare all food. Your honesty will be much appreciated by CBP.
I have always been treated profesionally, with courtesy, even friendly. I always itemize my food on the Customs form, emphasizing meat products. It's foolish to hide any, they (used to) have these Beagle dogs that will rat you out by sitting down and giving you that cute look.
In 2010 I hoped to bring the ingredients for split pea soup, including smoked sausage. Meat per se was not forbidden, it depended on the diseases of the period, and this was a foot-and-mouth season. They made me translate all the ingredients lists, and as soon as I reached "beef collagen" the article was confiscated. So I skipped right to the "beef" parts and I lost over half my food stuff. I received no penalty, of course, but my host who loves the soup was less happy.
answered Dec 31 '18 at 13:20
Jeroen van Duyn
1312
New contributor
Jeroen van Duyn is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered Dec 31 '18 at 13:20
Jeroen van Duyn
1312
New contributor
Jeroen van Duyn is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered Dec 31 '18 at 13:20
Jeroen van Duyn
1312
answered Dec 31 '18 at 13:20
Jeroen van Duyn
1312
1312
New contributor
Jeroen van Duyn is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Jeroen van Duyn is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Jeroen van Duyn is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
3
Yeah. The beagle's official denomination is Agriculgure Canine. And they are as cute as their smell is acute.
– Mindwin
Dec 31 '18 at 13:36
That's a sad story! I would be very sad to miss out on a traditional soup like that!
– Fattie
2 days ago
add a comment |
3
Yeah. The beagle's official denomination is Agriculgure Canine. And they are as cute as their smell is acute.
– Mindwin
Dec 31 '18 at 13:36
That's a sad story! I would be very sad to miss out on a traditional soup like that!
– Fattie
2 days ago
3
3
Yeah. The beagle's official denomination is Agriculgure Canine. And they are as cute as their smell is acute.
– Mindwin
Dec 31 '18 at 13:36
Yeah. The beagle's official denomination is Agriculgure Canine. And they are as cute as their smell is acute.
– Mindwin
Dec 31 '18 at 13:36
That's a sad story! I would be very sad to miss out on a traditional soup like that!
– Fattie
2 days ago
That's a sad story! I would be very sad to miss out on a traditional soup like that!
– Fattie
2 days ago
add a comment |
You need to answer all questions honestly, so if the question is about whether you are carrying food, you need to answer yes, since chocolate is food.
If the question is confusing and you don't know whether to declare it or not, you should always declare it, since there is zero penalty (except for some of your time) for declaring something you didn't need to, but fairly severe penalties (even if the item found is non-harmful or is confiscated) if you don't declare something you should have.
answered Jan 2 at 0:44
T.R.
20611
add a comment |
You need to answer all questions honestly, so if the question is about whether you are carrying food, you need to answer yes, since chocolate is food.
If the question is confusing and you don't know whether to declare it or not, you should always declare it, since there is zero penalty (except for some of your time) for declaring something you didn't need to, but fairly severe penalties (even if the item found is non-harmful or is confiscated) if you don't declare something you should have.
answered Jan 2 at 0:44
T.R.
20611
add a comment |
You need to answer all questions honestly, so if the question is about whether you are carrying food, you need to answer yes, since chocolate is food.
If the question is confusing and you don't know whether to declare it or not, you should always declare it, since there is zero penalty (except for some of your time) for declaring something you didn't need to, but fairly severe penalties (even if the item found is non-harmful or is confiscated) if you don't declare something you should have.
answered Jan 2 at 0:44
T.R.
20611
You need to answer all questions honestly, so if the question is about whether you are carrying food, you need to answer yes, since chocolate is food.
If the question is confusing and you don't know whether to declare it or not, you should always declare it, since there is zero penalty (except for some of your time) for declaring something you didn't need to, but fairly severe penalties (even if the item found is non-harmful or is confiscated) if you don't declare something you should have.
answered Jan 2 at 0:44
T.R.
20611
answered Jan 2 at 0:44
T.R.
20611
answered Jan 2 at 0:44
T.R.
20611
answered Jan 2 at 0:44
T.R.
20611
20611
add a comment |
add a comment |
protected by Willeke♦ Jan 1 at 22:00
Thank you for your interest in this question.
Because it has attracted low-quality or spam answers that had to be removed, posting an answer now requires 10 reputation on this site (the association bonus does not count).
Would you like to answer one of these unanswered questions instead?
2
Related question, same foodstuff, different country, slightly different question travel.stackexchange.com/questions/10930/…
– Andrew Grimm
Dec 30 '18 at 8:15
1
As a side note, do not put your chocolate inside a suitcase that has soap, shampoo, or perfume. I found out the hard way. I would double bag it.
– Scot Parker
Jan 1 at 21:58
3
You could squeeze in some information on the form and say "chocolate" next to the Yes [X]
– Nick T
Jan 2 at 1:29
1
@ScotParker Ew!
– Lightness Races in Orbit
2 days ago