Can I bring meat and dairy to United States?
- Official classification
- Meat, meat products and dairy products
Prohibited
You cannot bring meat and dairy into United States.
Extra conditions apply
What you need to know
- No stated quantity
- Channels: Carried with the traveler, Post or courier
- Extra conditions apply
Important
This allowance applies per person, not per family or group.
Official sources
- 9 CFR 94.1 -- Regions where foot-and-mouth disease exists; importations prohibited. U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Office of the Federal Register (eCFR)
- 9 CFR 94.2 - Fresh products, and milk and milk products of ruminants and swine Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), U.S. Department of Agriculture
Questions about Meat, meat products and dairy products in United States
- Can I bring meat and dairy to United States?
- meat and dairy may not be brought into United States at all. The allowance is per traveller and cannot be pooled between people.
- Do I have to declare meat and dairy at United States customs?
- There is nothing to declare — meat and dairy cannot be brought in at all. Declaring it does not make it admissible; it hands it over.
- What happens if I do not declare meat and dairy in United States?
- Under 19 CFR 148.102, if you declare the excess yourself: a flat-rate charge is applied to the excess; the normal duty becomes payable on the excess. Under 19 CFR 148.18, if the goods are found without being declared: the goods are confiscated; an administrative fine is imposed. Under 19 U.S.C. 1497: the goods are confiscated; an administrative fine is imposed.
- Can I post or ship meat and dairy to United States instead of carrying it?
- Not under this allowance. It covers goods a traveller carries; a parcel is an import and is assessed under the postal rules instead. Baggage sent before or after you travels under the same allowance.
- Can I take meat and dairy out of United States?
- United States publishes no separate rule for taking meat and dairy out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
- Does the United States limit for meat and dairy apply per person or per family?
- Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.
- Where does this rule come from?
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection states it in 9 CFR 94.1 -- Regions where foot-and-mouth disease exists; importations prohibited.. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19.
- How does United States compare with other countries on meat and dairy?
- Of the 21 countries covered here, 12 prohibit meat and dairy, 8 limit it and 1 let it through. United States is among the strictest.
Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection — 9 CFR 94.1 -- Regions where foot-and-mouth disease exists; importations prohibited. · verified 2026-09-19
Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection — 9 CFR 94.1 -- Regions where foot-and-mouth disease exists; importations prohibited. · verified 2026-09-19
Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection — 19 CFR Part 148 — Personal Declarations and Exemptions · verified 2026-09-20
Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection — 9 CFR 94.1 -- Regions where foot-and-mouth disease exists; importations prohibited. · verified 2026-09-19
Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection — 9 CFR 94.1 -- Regions where foot-and-mouth disease exists; importations prohibited. · verified 2026-09-19
Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection — 9 CFR 94.1 -- Regions where foot-and-mouth disease exists; importations prohibited. · verified 2026-09-19