Dairy Products → United States

Most dairy restricted — some exceptions for hard cheeses

Details

USDA APHIS restricts dairy imports. Most liquid milk, soft cheese, and butter are prohibited from most countries due to foot-and-mouth disease concerns. Hard, aged cheeses (e.g., Parmesan, Cheddar) from approved countries may be permitted in personal quantities. Enforcement in United States carries fines from USD 300 to USD 10,000 under 19 USC § 1497 (failure to declare); 19 USC § 1592 (fraudulent entry) (ordinary personal cases are handled as civil infringements). Leaving United States with dairy products is a separate question — restricted: Dairy exported from United States moves freely at personal snack quantities but faces strict destination bans; commercial export needs veterinary health certification.

Quantity limit

Personal use quantities

Documentation required

• Phytosanitary Certificate (commercial quantities)
• Export Health Certificate (animal-origin, commercial)

Legal reference

9 CFR 94.1

Leaving with this item

Dairy exported from United States moves freely at personal snack quantities but faces strict destination bans; commercial export needs veterinary health certification.

Practical advice

Hard, commercially packaged cheeses from EU/UK/Australia/NZ are generally accepted. Declare everything on your customs form.

Customs authority

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) · https://www.cbp.gov