When shipping goods to the United States or bringing them into the country, it is important to know which products are prohibited, restricted, or subject to extra customs requirements. Some items are not allowed to enter, while others require appropriate documentation, permits, or declarations.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) works with several federal agencies to enforce import regulations and protect public health, agriculture, wildlife, intellectual property, and national security. To help prevent customs delays, seizures, fines, or other penalties, this guide outlines the main categories of items that are prohibited or restricted from entering the United States, along with food products and other goods needing special consideration.
U.S. Customs Restricted Items List
Products which may be brought into the United States are known as restricted items and are subject to extra requirements. The kind of product will determine whether importers have to give documentation, get a permit, meet certain safety standards, or undergo further customs inspections. The following is a summary of the common categories that are restricted:
- Health and Beauty Products
- Nutritional and Dietary Supplements
- Medicines and Drugs
- Cosmetics
- Medical Devices
- Contact Lenses and Eyewear
- Consumer Electronics
- Chemicals and Hazardous Materials
- Tobacco Products
- Wood and Wood Products
- Animal Products
- Certain Food Items
- Plants and Seeds
- Cultural and Historical Items
- Firearms and Ammunition
Health and Beauty Products
Any food, drugs, medical devices, and cosmetics imported into the United States must comply with federal safety and labeling rules. Products found to be adulterated, misbranded, contaminated, defective, or produced in unsanitary conditions can be turned back at the border. Nutritional and dietary supplements may face extra examination, especially when imported for personal use. The product's amount, intended use, ingredients, and available medical treatments in the U.S. influence whether it is allowed. Cosmetics and personal-care products can also be inspected if they contain regulated ingredients or fail to meet labeling and safety requirements. Medicines, pharmaceuticals, and medical products are especially sensitive. While certain prescribed medicines can be brought in for personal use under conditions, unapproved products or those containing controlled substances may be banned.
Eyewear and Contact Lenses
When eyeglasses, prescription lenses, contact lenses and other similar products are intended to enter the United States, they may have to satisfy certain requirements. In the case of prescription lenses and some medical eyewear, extra documentation or regulatory approval may be needed. Therefore, importers must check that the products comply with the relevant U.S. safety and medical-device requirements prior to shipping.
Consumer Electronics
Certain electronic products may need extra examination because they emit radiation, use lasers, have wireless components, or fall under specific safety regulations. Examples include:
- Certain laser or infrared products
- Some microwave equipment
- Certain older television equipment
- Electronic devices containing regulated components
Batteries also need special attention when they are being transported internationally. Since there is a risk of fire, leakage or overheating, lithium batteries and other battery operated products may be deemed dangerous goods. Rules regarding packaging, labeling, the documentation and transportation will then apply.
Chemicals
Products and chemicals containing chemical substances could be covered by U.S. environmental and safety regulations. It may be necessary for importers to submit the correct declarations or certificates to show that the product meets the relevant requirements. In some cases, hazardous chemicals, toxic substances, pesticides, and other materials which pose serious health or environmental risks might be completely banned. When shipping chemicals it is important to find out what the ingredients are and to decide whether the product is regulated, restricted or prohibited.
Tobacco Products
Tobacco products are regulated at federal and state levels. Cigarettes, cigars, tobacco, and similar products may require documentation, labeling, licensing, or authorization. Regulations vary by product, quantity, destination, and intended use. Some tobacco products face additional state or local restrictions.
Wood and Wood Products
Wood, wooden packaging, plants, and other agricultural products can be inspected because they may carry insects, pests, or plant diseases. Wood packaging in international shipments may need to meet treatment and marking requirements. Some wood types and products from protected or endangered trees also require extra documentation or permits.
Animal Products and Animal By-products
Articles made from animals or containing animal-derived materials may face strict import restrictions, especially those involving endangered species or wildlife. Examples of prohibited or strictly restricted materials include:
- Products made from sea turtles
- Elephant ivory
- Rhinoceros horn
- Certain wild-cat furs
- Marine mammal fur or ivory
- Unauthorized feathers from wild birds
- Certain crocodile and caiman leather
- Certain coral products
- Products made from other protected or endangered species
Permits or extra inspection may be required for wildlife products, hunting trophies, animal-derived accessories, and similar items. However, some products are banned regardless of personal or commercial use.
Certain Food Items
Food is a common cause of problems at U.S. customs because agricultural products are regulated due to risks of pests, diseases, or invasive species. Many packaged foods are allowed but may still need to be declared. Examples of generally permitted foods include:
- Condiments
- Vinegar
- Cooking oils
- Sealed packaged spices
- Honey
- Coffee
- Tea
- Dry snacks
- Crackers and cookies
- Candy
- Baked goods
- Certain cheeses
- Some commercially packaged seafood
Yet a great many agricultural products are forbidden or restricted. These may be:
- Fresh fruits
- Fresh vegetables
- Plants
- Seeds
- Soil
- Certain meat products
- Foods containing meat
- Certain dairy products
- Some animal-derived foods
Almost all fresh fruits and vegetables risk carrying pests or diseases and many are therefore forbidden from entering the United States. Meat and meat-containing products may also be restricted based on country of origin and animal-disease controls. It is important to declare food items even if they are not allowed. Agricultural products must be declared to customs so inspectors can decide if they may enter. You may be fined for failing to declare an agricultural product.
Prohibited List
The following categories generally cannot be imported into the United States or are prohibited under specific circumstances:
- Illegal drugs and certain controlled substances
- Drug paraphernalia
- Certain firearms, ammunition, and prohibited weapons
- Explosives and fireworks
- Hazardous chemicals and materials
- Certain endangered-species products
- Counterfeit and pirated goods
- Certain agricultural products
- Unauthorized cultural property
- Certain wildlife products
- Merchandise prohibited under U.S. trade restrictions
- Certain gambling devices
Drugs and Controlled Substances
It is prohibited for illegal narcotics and other controlled substances to enter the United States; even if marijuana is legal in a particular U.S. state, cannabis and cannabis-derived products can still cause serious customs issues. Federal import restrictions remain in force at the border. While certain prescription medicines may be permitted for personal use under certain conditions, those medicines which are not approved, are not controlled substances, or are products imported without the necessary authorization may be turned back at entry.
Weapons and Dangerous Items
The United States has strict regulations on firearms, ammunition, and other weapons. Some firearms, firearm parts, ammunition, silencers, switchblade knives, brass knuckles, stun devices, explosives, fireworks, and other hazardous items may be banned or require special permission to import. Items usable in chemical or biological warfare are strictly forbidden.
Endangered Wildlife and Animal Products
It is prohibited or strictly limited to make products from endangered or protected animals. This applies to items such as ivory, tortoiseshell, certain furs, protected feathers, coral, and other materials derived from wildlife. Permits may be required for hunting trophies and for products made from protected species, and some of these items are not allowed to enter the United States.
Agricultural Products
Agricultural products are strictly regulated because they can introduce pests, plant diseases, and animal diseases. Prohibited or restricted products may include:
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Certain dried or processed agricultural products
- Plants
- Seeds
- Soil
- Certain meats and meat products
- Some animal products
- Certain untreated agricultural materials
The rules will differ depending on the product and where the product comes from; products which are forbidden in one country may be allowed in another provided that different conditions are met.
Cultural Artifacts
Some archaeological items, cultural property, historical artifacts, and other materials of cultural significance may be banned or may be required to be documented; entrance into the United States may be refused in respect to items which have been illegally taken from their country of origin or which violate the international protections relating to cultural property.
Chemicals and Hazardous Materials
Some hazardous chemicals and substances are banned because of their effects on human health, safety, or the environment. Examples include asbestos, certain toxic pesticides, PCBs, radioactive materials, hazardous waste, and chemicals used to make illegal drugs or weapons.
Counterfeit and Pirated Goods
Counterfeit items and pirated goods are prohibited from entering the United States. These may include:
- Fake designer clothing
- Counterfeit handbags
- Imitation jewelry
- Fake electronics
- Unauthorized copies of branded products
- Pirated DVDs and CDs
- Products using trademarks without authorization
Bringing in goods that are counterfeit or pirated may lead to them being seized and to other legal repercussions.
Gambling Devices
Some gambling devices may also be restricted or banned by U.S. federal law; examples of such devices are unauthorized slot machines, electronic gambling equipment, roulette wheels, lottery equipment, and bookmaking devices. The legal status of a given device will depend on its design, its intended use, and the relevant federal or state regulations.
What Happens If You Bring a Prohibited Item?
When customs officers find a prohibited item, the goods may be seized and kept out of the United States. Restricted goods might be held for further inspection, documentation, payment of duties, or government approval. Agricultural and food products can be sent for special inspection. Failing to declare an item can cause problems. Undeclared agricultural products and food may lead to fines, confiscation, or extra customs screening. Travelers may face penalties if they do not declare required items under trusted-traveler programs.
How to Avoid Problems with U.S. Customs
Before you ship or carry any goods into the United States, you should check the product category, the ingredients, the materials, the country of origin, and the intended use. The safest course of action is to:
- Check whether the product is prohibited or restricted
- Declare all food and agricultural products when required
- Keep medicines in their original packaging
- Carry supporting documentation for regulated products
- Check permit requirements for plants, seeds, wildlife products, and firearms
- Avoid counterfeit and pirated merchandise
- Confirm requirements for chemicals and dangerous goods
- Keep commercial invoices and product descriptions accurate
- Do not conceal restricted or prohibited items
If you are doubtful about whether an item can be sent into the United States, you should check the relevant customs requirements before shipping, since the regulations may differ depending on the particular product, its country of origin, the quantity and the intended use.