You've just finished a wonderful trip to Africa and you're so delighted to show off that ivory pendant to your sister in the U.S. Unfortunately, you didn't even make it past the customs officials at the New York La Guardia Airport. Sad to say, anything made of ivory is banned in the U.S.
U.S. customs officials have been very strict with bringing items from overseas. So, before you consider bringing anything into U.S. territory, take a look at the list of banned items in America from Culture Cheat Sheet.
Kinder eggs
While these sweet treats may satisfy a child's fancy, they are certainly banned in America. These are little toys covered in milk chocolate, which can cause choking problems for small children. If you're from Canada and you're caught bringing these treats to the U.S., be ready to leave them with customs officials.
Ivory-made products
If you have wanted to show off an ivory pendant, forget it. U.S. has banned ivory products. The only exception are items made of warthog ivory or an antique, which is 100 years old or more.
Non-U.S. compliant cars
U.S. regulatory laws on car manufacture are strict enough that if a car does not meet the required safety and emissions standards, then better leave it at the place where you bought it. Don't fret though, you can still look for a registered importer that will help you, but expect a long process for it.
Absinthe
Considered as a hallucinogen, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection will not allow you to bring this one, unless it is "thujone-free." Also, make sure that the brand name of the product is not named "absinthe," per se and the artwork must not depict "hallucinogenic" images.
Animal-hide drums from Haiti
Haitian animal hide drums are specifically banned due to previous cutaneous anthrax cases. To be able to bring these home, they need to be specially processed that ensures no risk of infection.
Ancient artifacts
Be careful whenever you intend to bring an ancient artifact from Egypt or the Middle East. Cultural items from a certain country are banned from entering the U.S., in the same vein that the country of origin may not allow you to bring them out of that country. Stolen art and antiquities are also not allowed.
Meat
Obviously, the risk of bringing in diseases, like mad cow disease or avian flu, is increased when you bring in meat. So unless the meat is cooked or packed in good and stable packaging, and of course, not from a country where animal-related diseases abound, don't even consider bringing meat.
Shark fins
Independent has reported that these were banned in California. So if your destination is California, make sure that you don't have these with you.
Take caution when bringing banned items in America. The money you spent for them might just go down the drain when they end up being taken away from you.
