Can i take fruit from South America to UK via USA?

Question

I know the limits for taking fruit from South America to UK, but if i have to pass through USA and through customs there do I have to declare it all? Even if nothing is staying in the USA ...?!

Answer 1

What kind of food products can I bring to the U.S.?

Food, Plant, and Animal Products

General List of Approved Products

This list covers products from all areas except Canada, Mexico, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Bamboo - dried poles only

Beads made of seeds - (but not jequirity beans)

Breads, cakes, cookies, and other bakery goods

Candies, confectionery, chocolates

Cheeses - fully cured hard cheese only

Coconuts - (but husks or milk must be removed)

Coffee - roasted beans only

Dried foods - including polished rice, beans, and tea

Fish

Flower bulbs (*)

Flowers (*)

Fruits - canned or dried products only

Herbarium plants - (but not witchweed)

Herbs - dried, for medicinal use

Mushrooms

Nuts - (but not chestnuts or acorns or nuts with outer husks)

Sauces - canned or processed

Seaweed

Seeds - (but not avocado, bamboo, barberry, coconuts, corn, cotton, currant, elm, hibiscus, lentil, mahonia, mango, pearl millet, potato, rice, sorghum, and wheat)

Shamrocks - without root or soil

Soup and soup mixes - (but not those containing meat)

Spices - dried (but not curry leaves)

Straw animals, hats, baskets, and other souvenirs - (but not items stuffed with straw)

Vegetables - canned or processed

*  Check with the U.S. Department of Agriculture at www.aphis.usda.gov regarding Plant Protection and Quarantine Permits .   A phytosanitary certificate is required for propagative material.

http://www.usembassy.org.uk/ukcust1.html

Answer 2

I would think the laws about fruit to USA would be what you would have to follow.  If the fruit is leaving the airport, even for a minute, then they don't know for sure that it is headed for the UK.

You might consider shipping it direct - and it not flying with you.