Notice to Travelers Bringing Fresh Fruits or Vegetables,
Plants, Plant Products, Meat Products, or Live Animals
from Canada to the United States
PLANTS
All Canadian origin plants, whether indoor or outdoor, must be accompanied by either:
An original Canadian Phytosanitary Certificate or
A yellow Greenhouse Certification Program sticker
Phytosanitary Certificates or Greenhouse Certification Program stickers may be available from the business where
the plants are purchased. Please check before purchasing.
All plants in soil from Alberta, British Columbia, Newfoundland, and Quebec are restricted or prohibited.
Some plants are prohibited. These include, but are not limited to, bamboo, citrus, barberry, and Oregon grape plants.
Some plants have special entry requirements due to their endangered species status. These include, but are not
limited to, orchid, palm, cactus, and Venus flytrap plants.
A number of other plants also have special entry requirements. These include, but are not limited to, many fruit trees,
bushes, and vines.
Fresh cut fir and spruce trees for personal use in Michigan are unrestricted. Cut pine trees are prohibited.
US origin plants may be enterable with proof of origin.
To avoid problems, please call for the import requirements of any plants you are bringing into the U.S.
SEEDS AND NUTS FOR CONSUMPTION
As a general rule, nuts and seeds of Canadian origin are enterable. If there is doubt as to where they were grown,
they will be considered to be of non-Canadian origin.
Nuts, seeds, beans, and grains of non-Canadian origin may be restricted or prohibited. INSPECTION IS REQUIRED.
Please note that these restrictions apply to both raw and cooked products.
Rice (uncooked), melon seeds (including roasted), chickpeas, soybeans, and safflower seed from the following
countries are prohibited: Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Burma (Myanmar), Cyprus, Egypt, Kuwait, India, Iran,
Iraq, Israel, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sri
Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Upper Volta (Burkina Faso).
Other dry food products from the above countries are subject to intensive inspection.
Red rice is prohibited from all countries.
SEEDS FOR PLANTING
Some seeds for planting are prohibited.
An original Phytosanitary Certificate or Seed Analysis Certificate must accompany all admissible plant seeds of
Canadian origin. These seeds must be grown in Canada, not just packed in Canada.
Seeds of non-Canadian origin are restricted or prohibited.
OTHER FOOD ITEMS
See the MEAT and DAIRY PRODUCTS section for restrictions on pet foods that contain animal products and are
made in Canada. Pet food that is made in the United States or that does not contain animal products is enterable.
Dried citrus fruit and citrus peel are prohibited.
Most other commercially packaged dried fruits and vegetables are enterable.
Bakery goods without meat (breads, bagels, doughnuts, pies, cakes) are enterable from all countries.
LIVE ANIMALS – Please contact the USDA Import/Export Specialist at 517-337-4700 for the specific requirements for
your pet or live animal to come into the United States.
** CANADIAN ORIGIN PET BIRDS ARE RESTRICTED & EXAMINATION IS REQUIRED BY THE USDA PORT
VETERINARIAN (Office hours are M-F 8-4:30 p.m. unless prior appointment has been made.) **
** RODENTS FROM AFRICA, CIVETS, and NON-COMMERCIAL RUMINANT ANIMALS ARE PROHIBITED. **
Restrictions on the importation of fruits, vegetables, plants, plant products, meat products, and live animals help to
safeguard American agriculture by preventing the entry of new agricultural pests and diseases into the United States.
You can help by following the guidelines in this pamphlet and declaring all of your fruits, vegetables, plants, plant
products, meat products, and live animals each time you cross the border into the United States.
For additional information please contact: US Customs and Border Protection, Agriculture Inspection
2321 Pine Grove Avenue
Port Huron, Michigan 48060
810-989-8839
Updated May 25, 2017