By: Somdatta Saha
Image Credit: Pexels
Packing for the US? From thepla to curry leaves, many Indian staples are restricted. Rules go beyond banned items and ignoring them can lead to fines or delays.
Image: Pexels
Image Credit: Pexels
For travellers, food, spices and Ayurvedic medicines are comfort and nostalgia. But many get flagged at US customs due to strict rules.
Travel agents and consultants say US officials usually target these categories of items when screening Indian passengers.
Image Credit: Pexels
Homemade, oil-based, or unlabelled pickles and chutneys are risky. Officials worry about leakage, contamination, and unclear ingredients.
Image Credit: Pexels
Raw mangoes, bananas, jackfruit, even dried curry leaves, are restricted. USDA rules aim to stop pests and plant diseases from entering the US.
Image Credit: Pexels
Ghee, paneer, and milk sweets like peda or kalakand are often restricted, even sealed or frozen-due to animal, origin import rules.
Image Credit: Pexels
Turmeric, hing, and homemade masalas must be commercially packed and clearly labelled. Loose powders in zip-locks or foil wrappers raise red flags.
Image Credit: Pexels
Fresh dairy, meat, fruits, betel leaves, gutka, loose grains, soil-covered items, and unlabelled powders are strictly banned, even if sealed.
Image Credit: Pexels
Branded snacks, sealed tea bags, commercial spices, and medicines with prescriptions are fine. They must be packed, labelled, and declared.
Image Credit: Pexels
Homemade ghee
Dried curry leaves
Sweet
Betel leaves
Image Credit: Pexels
Declare all food (even branded), medicines (Ayurvedic or not), plant items like seeds or leaves, anything of agricultural or animal origin.
Image Credit: Pexels
Students: Carry sealed snacks; avoid homemade items
Families: Pack simple snacks
Elderly: Label Ayurvedic medicines; carry a doctor's note
Image Credit: Pexels
Unlabelled powders, homemade food, and plant-based items often cause delays or confiscation. When in doubt, check the USDA website before packing.
Image Credit: Pexels
Mistakes at customs can mean stress, delays, and heavy fines.
Image Credit: Pexels