Should I declare chocolate as "food" when entering the US?
It is being customary we bring a few authentic Russian chocolate bars/sweets to the US but we are always struggling whether we should check that "food" checkbox in the "Customs Declaration" form?
It is under the following entry in the form (yeah, together with insects, right):
I am (We are) bringing:
fruits, vegetables, plants, seeds, food, insects
I've been always checking it but that just gets us into more lines and triggers extra questions after getting to the baggage check.
Best Answer
a) Chocolate, being a thing eaten by humans, is indeed "food."
b) If you say you're not carrying food, and your baggage is searched by Customs and the chocolate discovered, then they have you for lying on your Customs forms. That would be uncomfortable, possibly expensive, and could result in entry to the US being delayed or denied.
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Do you have to declare chocolate at customs in us?
Bakery items, candy, chocolate, and dry mixes containing dairy and egg ingredients commercially labeled and presented in final finished packaging are generally admissible.Do you have to declare sweets when entering us?
According to the US Customs and border protection, visitors are required to declare all food products. There is no exemption for modest amounts for personal consumption stated anywhere on the 6059B customs form.Can I take Cadburys chocolate into America?
Yes, it will in all likelihood be permitted entry..What needs to be declared at US Customs?
You must declare all items you purchased and are carrying with you upon return to the United States, including gifts for other people as well as items you bought for yourself. This includes duty-free items purchased in foreign countries, as well as any merchandise you intend to sell or use in your business.Which FOOD Items Not Allowed to Carry to Other Countries/FLIGHT -Mamta Sachdeva
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Answer 2
Yes, always declare all food. Your honesty will be much appreciated by CBP. I have always been treated profesionally, with courtesy, even friendly. I always itemize my food on the Customs form, emphasizing meat products. It's foolish to hide any, they (used to) have these Beagle dogs that will rat you out by sitting down and giving you that cute look.
In 2010 I hoped to bring the ingredients for split pea soup, including smoked sausage. Meat per se was not forbidden, it depended on the diseases of the period, and this was a foot-and-mouth season. They made me translate all the ingredients lists, and as soon as I reached "beef collagen" the article was confiscated. So I skipped right to the "beef" parts and I lost over half my food stuff. I received no penalty, of course, but my host who loves the soup was less happy.
Answer 3
You need to answer all questions honestly, so if the question is about whether you are carrying food, you need to answer yes, since chocolate is food.
If the question is confusing and you don't know whether to declare it or not, you should always declare it, since there is zero penalty (except for some of your time) for declaring something you didn't need to, but fairly severe penalties (even if the item found is non-harmful or is confiscated) if you don't declare something you should have.
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