I'm about to head from the US to the UK, and I'm considering picking up some fancy cheeses while there, such as cheddar from Cheddar. The friend I'm travelling with is concerned that, upon my return, I would have to declare that cheese and wait in a potentially long line through customs once I land back in the US.
I've looked up guidance on bringing cheese in from other countries, and the USDA website states that solid cheeses (like cheddar or gouda, with a hard rind) may enter from essentially any country. [Link Here]. I also know that the US is very particular about cheese being made from unpasteurized milk, and such cheeses aren't allowed in the US.
It's been a long time since I've last flown internationally, and the question is: If I'm confident my items do not violate any customs or border protection policies, do I still need to declare them?
Is it the case where if I don't declare, they search my bags, find the cheese, 1 of 2 things will happen:
A) I'm mistaken about policy or the cheese I brought, my cheese is confiscated and I'm slapped with a fine
B) The cheese is determined to be within policy, and nothing further happens
Or is there a 3rd option I might face, such as an annoyed CBP agent wanting to do further examination & questioning because I had an undeclared item (regardless of if it met policy or not).
Finally, does it make a difference when going through customs if the cheese I'm bringing back is in my carryon or checked bag?
by jayb2805
28 Comments
Other options include: Being flagged for additional security going forward. The “Random” SSSS on your ticket makes you ineligible for mobile check-in. Being banned from TSA Precheck and Global Entry programs.
I just came into the US through customs. The custom agent asked the woman in front of me if she had anything to declare. She replied “I have some cheese” and the customs officer said thanks and proceeded to let her through with no hesitation.
If it were me, I’d throw it my bag and not worry about especially if it’s just personal use
You need to declare all food items. After passport control and picking up your luggage you will be taken through agricultural screening. If all is ok, you’ll get your stuff back.
I bring back cheese from every trip. When asked if I have food, I say yes, I have cheese. Occasionally that gets a follow up question, which is “is any of it soft cheese?” I’ve never been directly asked about pasteurization status. I will truthfully say it isn’t soft cheese (which is in the eye of the beholder) and am sent on my way. I typically bring in harder stuff like aged cheddar or Parmesan.
I’ve done this dozens of times, never an issue. They seem most concerned with meats and raw vegetables/ fruits.
It doesn’t matter what bag it’s in.
Yes ALWAYS declare. Read the questions carefully; the customs form will ask you if you are bringing in any food. Then the customs agent may ask you for details. If they do, just say “aged cheese” and you should be good. They might ask “What kind of cheese? Is it soft cheese?” or something like that, but I’ve never had a problem with it.
Just make sure you answer all the questions on the form truthfully.
You must declare all goods purchased outside of the U.S. If your bags are searched and they find undeclared goods you can be fined (and keep the cheese).
The immigration line is often long. The customs check is often not.
If your stuff is clearly labeled, you’ve declared it, and its just some cheese, its not gonna cause you much hassle at all for them to look at it.
Also, whatever to your friend. Buy the cheese. You’re on vacation.
this is what you need to follow
[https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/agricultural-items](https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/agricultural-items)
Right from the U.S. Customs and border protections website.
1. Commercially packaged and labeled, cooked, shelf-stable, fully finished food items in unopened packages are allowed.
Under another link for Milk or dairy products.
Travelers may bring back milk or dairy products from countries **without** FMD if they have official documentation to prove the product’s country of origin. Any of the following items are considered official documentation:
* Package label
* Written documentation
* Proof of travel (passport or travel itinerary)
* Origin of flight
* Receipt of sale
* CBP document (based on the officer’s interview of the traveler)
* A meat inspection certificate
* Certificate of origin
If you’re worried about TSA agents and undeclared items, just declare them?
If you don’t declare them and get caught with them, they’ll be confiscated for sure
> I also know that the US is very particular about cheese being made from unpasteurized milk, and such cheeses aren’t allowed in the US.
FYI, Raw milk cheeses are allowed in the US, but must be aged >60 days.
I brought fresh cheese back from the Azores 2 years ago. The only issue I had was it set off the bomb sensor. I guess it had something to do with density. They laughed when I said it was cheese, ran the wand over it and I went on my merry way.
They’ll look at it carefully and say…. What cheese is that? You’ll reply that’s Stilton! And the TSA will say … No that’s nacho cheese and take it away. You’ll never see it again!
You MUST declare everything. The people you need to check with are customs, not the USDA. Customs will be enforcing the rules.
Came back From Madrid Spain and Italy and brought back some blocks of cheese ,wasn’t questioned or anything passed right through
FYI, Canada sells a LOT of these same cheese products, or a locally made version that is bang on. It’s easier to bring that across in your vehicle but the same rules apply. And beware pissy tariff bullshit that changes by the hour.
I carried Dutch cheese into the states a few years back. It was still sealed in the original packaging and no other questions were asked. It was about 2-3 lbs, in separate blocks.
I just brought back a suitcase full. Just declare it and keep walking.
I’ll reiterate what others have said: it’s definitely best not to mess around with not declaring. On a trip last year I brought back aged Gouda from the Netherlands and marzipan from Turkey. After retrieving my checked bag, I was called aside for secondary inspection. The officer went through my whole bag and asked me basic questions about my trip. The whole thing took maybe an hour. I had a two-hour connection in total – it was a bit tight but ultimately I was fine.
Either way, safe travels!
I recently brought ~4 pounds of pasteurized cheese back to the US from France. I answered “yes” on the declaration form that asked if I have any dairy or agricultural products. Nobody asked me anything when I went through. Just walked out
Cheese is a prohibited item, no?
[Cheese you say](https://youtu.be/2tsny0fMwkI)
We were on an international trip and forgot we had purchased a tuna fish sandwich in the airport. The customs agent found it and was cool about it since we obviously forgot it existed. We had a laugh and it was disposed of.
The third option is that they slap you with a big fine.
No cheese is worth the hassle
I used to stress about bringing food back to the US for years, do I didn’t do it. Then about 10 years ago, I just stopped caring about what I brought back. Basically, I brought back all the food I wanted, lots of stuff, every trip. Always filled out a declaration form listing every food item. It has never caused me an issue at US customs. Never had anything confiscated, never had to pay anything. Just my experience.
I have brought back cheese many times. As long as it’s in a sealed package, no one cares.
According to this https://www.aphis.usda.gov/traveling-with-ag-products/milk-dairy-eggs you could bring cheese to US only if the package is sealed and don’t contain any liquid.
Not in US but as my experience I always declare and ask to a customs employee. Usually if you ask it not take as you trying to bring something illegal so in mayor case they just discard what you bring if is not allowed, if you don’t declare and the item is not allowed is take as a violation of law so… yes you could have problems.
When you declare to an officer just tell them you have hard cheese (presuming that’s what you have). They’ll tell you to keep moving. Soft cheeses like ricotta are not allowed in.