🇺🇸 United States — restricted items
83 items are documented as restricted for import into United States. These items require permits, documentation, quantity limits, or prior approval.
cash currency
Must declare cash or monetary instruments over USD 10,000 on arrival and departure.
Limit: No quantity limit; declaration required for USD 10,000+
testosterone
Schedule III controlled substance — prescription required
Limit: 90-day supply
dairy products
Most dairy restricted — some exceptions for hard cheeses
Limit: Personal use quantities
seeds plants
USDA APHIS permit required for most seeds
power bank lithium
USPS prohibits standalone lithium batteries in international mail
Limit: Max 100Wh per battery when installed in device
textiles commercial
Subject to high duties and labeling requirements
toys ce marking
CPSC testing and certification required
cosmetics commercial
FDA registration required from December 2023
watches commercial
IP enforcement heavy, moderate duties
vape e cigarette
USPS ban on mailing vapes; private carriers restricted
fresh fruit
Most fresh fruit prohibited without permit
meat products
Most fresh and cured meats prohibited from most countries
Limit: Personal quantities of approved products
used clothing commercial
Standard import procedures; duties 7-16%
alcohol spirits
FedEx/UPS accept from licensed shippers only
Limit: Licensed shippers only
perfume fragrance
Flammable liquid; ground shipping only via USPS
Limit: 16 oz per package ground only
cbd oil
USPS accepts hemp-derived CBD under 0.3% THC
Limit: No specific limit for compliant products
tramadol medication
DEA Schedule IV; prescription quantities by registered mail
Limit: Personal prescription quantities domestic only
mobile phones commercial
Lithium battery rules apply; FCC compliance needed
Limit: Personal quantities; batteries in device
alcohol spirits
Duty and excise on online purchases above $800
Limit: Varies by state
tobacco cigarettes
Excise duty on all tobacco; PACT Act restrictions
Limit: Personal use; PACT Act applies
gold jewellery
Duty-free under $800; declare above threshold
Limit: $800 de minimis
cbd oil
Legal under 0.3% THC per 2018 Farm Bill
Limit: Personal use
pets dogs
CDC import rules tightened in 2024
Limit: Personal pets
firearms
Second Amendment; state laws vary widely
Limit: With appropriate permits and documentation
xanax alprazolam
Xanax / Alprazolam restricted; documentation or permits may apply
Limit: Up to 30-day personal supply; larger quantities may trigger CBP scrutiny
vyvanse lisdexamfetamine
Vyvanse / Lisdexamfetamine restricted; documentation or permits may apply
Limit: Up to 90-day personal supply; DEA Schedule II — must be in original pharmacy packaging
ozempic semaglutide
Ozempic / Semaglutide restricted; documentation or permits may apply
Limit: Up to 90-day personal supply; FDA prescription drug — must be in original packaging with pharmacy label
drone batteries
Drone Batteries (LiPo) restricted; documentation or permits may apply
Limit: Up to 100 Wh per battery in carry-on (FAA/TSA); 101-160 Wh requires airline approval — max 2 spare batteries; batteries over 160 Wh prohibited on commercial flights
body armour
Body Armour restricted; documentation or permits may apply
night vision devices
Night Vision Devices restricted; documentation or permits may apply
coral seashells
Coral & Seashells restricted; documentation or permits may apply
taxidermy
Taxidermy restricted; documentation or permits may apply
used cars
Used Cars restricted; documentation or permits may apply
motorcycles
Motorcycles restricted; documentation or permits may apply
feathers plumage
Feathers & Plumage restricted; documentation or permits may apply
drone batteries
Postal restrictions apply for drone batteries (lipo)
Limit: USPS prohibits all lithium batteries via mail; UPS/FedEx: ≤100 Wh batteries with UN3481 declaration; over 100 Wh requires full DG shipping certification
wine
Postal restrictions apply for wine
beer
Postal restrictions apply for beer
laptops
Postal restrictions apply for laptops
coral seashells
Postal restrictions apply for coral & seashells
taxidermy
Postal restrictions apply for taxidermy
laptops
Import duties and regulations apply for personal laptops
Limit: Personal use
used cars
Import duties and regulations apply for personal used cars
Limit: Personal use
motorcycles
Import duties and regulations apply for personal motorcycles
Limit: Personal use
wine
Import duties and regulations apply for personal wine
Limit: Personal use
beer
Import duties and regulations apply for personal beer
Limit: Personal use
tattoo equipment
Import duties and regulations apply for personal tattoo equipment
Limit: Personal use
codeine medication
Codeine (Medication) may require documentation or declaration
Limit: Up to 50 dosage units for personal use without DEA import permit; larger quantities require Form 6NIA
adderall medication
Adderall (Medication) may require documentation or declaration
Limit: Up to 30-day personal supply when re-entering; CBP may verify against prescription
seeds plants
Seeds & Plants may require documentation or declaration
electronic cigarette liquid
E-Cigarette Liquid (Vape Juice) may require documentation or declaration
antiquities
Antiquities may require documentation or declaration
tramadol medication
Tramadol (Medication) may require documentation or declaration
Limit: Up to 30-day personal supply; Schedule IV opioid under DEA
chocolate
Postal restrictions apply for chocolate
baby formula
Postal restrictions apply for baby formula
protein powder
Postal restrictions apply for protein powder
energy drinks
Postal restrictions apply for energy drinks
insulin
Postal restrictions apply for insulin
melatonin
Postal restrictions apply for melatonin
codeine medication
Postal restrictions apply for codeine (medication)
Limit: DEA Schedule V (low-dose OTC) or Schedule III/II (higher doses); international mailing of controlled substances prohibited under 21 USC §§841, 952
adderall medication
Postal restrictions apply for adderall (medication)
Limit: DEA Schedule II; interstate mailing requires DEA registration — not available for personal postal import
gold jewellery
Postal restrictions apply for gold jewellery
Limit: No quantity limit for posting; items over USD 2,500 require formal entry; value over USD 10,000 requires CBP Form 7501 (Entry Summary)
tobacco cigarettes
Postal restrictions apply for tobacco cigarettes
Limit: PACT Act prohibits US Mail delivery; common carriers restricted; commercial imports require TTB permit and ATF registration; personal import by mail prohibited
electronic cigarette liquid
Postal restrictions apply for e-cigarette liquid (vape juice)
pets cats
Cats may enter the US with proof of rabies vaccination if arriving from a country where canine rabies exists; additional CDC requirements apply.
Limit: No quantity limit for personal pets; commercial import has separate rules
hemp seeds sterilised
Sterilised (non-viable) hemp seeds are permitted into the US, but viable hemp seeds remain a controlled substance under federal law.
Limit: Personal/commercial quantities of sterilised seeds are generally permissible with proper documentation
drone accessories
Drone accessories including spare LiPo batteries must travel in carry-on luggage only; the drone itself must be registered with the FAA if operated in the US.
Limit: LiPo batteries: maximum 2 spare batteries between 100-160Wh; no limit below 100Wh
coins collectible
Collectible coins are generally allowed; gold coins and bullion combined with currency over $10,000 must be declared to CBP, and ancient coins may be subject to cultural property restrictions.
Limit: No specific limit; monetary declaration required over $10,000
ammunition sporting
Sporting ammunition may be imported into the US by non-US persons for sporting purposes, but must be declared to CBP and transported in checked baggage in a locked hard-sided container.
Limit: Up to 11 lb (5 kg) of small arms ammunition for personal sporting use (FAA/DOT); ATF may inspect quantities
hemp seeds sterilised
Sterilised hemp seeds (food grade) requires declaration / permit when posted to United States.
meat products
Meat Products requires declaration / permit when posted to United States.
dairy products
Dairy Products requires declaration / permit when posted to United States.
vape e cigarette
Vape / E-Cigarette requires declaration / permit for personal import into United States.
hemp seeds sterilised
Sterilised hemp seeds (food grade) requires declaration / permit for personal import into United States.
codeine medication
Codeine (Medication) requires declaration / permit for personal import into United States.
adderall medication
Adderall (Medication) requires declaration / permit for personal import into United States.
tramadol medication
Tramadol (Medication) requires declaration / permit for personal import into United States.
coins collectible
Collectible coins (numismatic) requires declaration / permit for personal import into United States.
meat products
Meat Products requires declaration / permit for personal import into United States.
dairy products
Dairy Products requires declaration / permit for personal import into United States.
fresh fruit
Fresh Fruit requires declaration / permit for personal import into United States.
ivory cites
Ivory & CITES-Listed Items requires declaration / permit for personal import into United States.
antiquities
Antiquities requires declaration / permit for personal import into United States.