Bringing Tea into US with Personal Possessions
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 140
Bringing Tea into US with Personal Possessions
We have been advised by firm handling our UK to US move that :
"Moreover, please note that I have seen that you added tea in your shipment, unfortunately, it cannot be brought into the US."
Has anyone else found this a problem?
We have searched on this subject and both APHIS and CBP state that these are "Allowed Items"
e.g. http://permanent.access.gpo.gov/lps3025/usdatips.pdf
Page 9
General List of Approved Products
Dried foods, including milled rice, beans, and tea
and
http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/...eforeyougo.pdf
Page 41
As a general rule, condiments, vinegars, oils, packaged spices, honey, coffee and tea are admissible.
On the CBP Q&A it also says the following :
Question
Personal importations of coffee, tea or spices
Answer
There are no restrictions on the importation of coffee, tea or spices for personal use, although they may be subject to FDA inspections if a CBP officer suspects contamination or insect infestation of the product.
If you are ordering these items from a foreign business, that business will be required to file Prior Notice with FDA. when sending the goods to you. (These requirements DO NOT apply to food accompanying a traveler into the U.S. or being sent to someone in the U.S. by another individual.)
To put it in context, some friends who work in the tea business are giving me a gift of 2 x 10kg boxes of loose leaf tea. One box would go by Air and the other by Sea, so it would be going with our personal possessions rather than being carried by us.
On the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States it looks like it would fall under :
0902.40.00 00 Other black tea (fermented) and other partly fermented tea
which carries no duty. We would pay duty if necessary anyway.
I'm a complete "Tea Monster", so this is quite important to me. Sad, but true.
"Moreover, please note that I have seen that you added tea in your shipment, unfortunately, it cannot be brought into the US."
Has anyone else found this a problem?
We have searched on this subject and both APHIS and CBP state that these are "Allowed Items"
e.g. http://permanent.access.gpo.gov/lps3025/usdatips.pdf
Page 9
General List of Approved Products
Dried foods, including milled rice, beans, and tea
and
http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/...eforeyougo.pdf
Page 41
As a general rule, condiments, vinegars, oils, packaged spices, honey, coffee and tea are admissible.
On the CBP Q&A it also says the following :
Question
Personal importations of coffee, tea or spices
Answer
There are no restrictions on the importation of coffee, tea or spices for personal use, although they may be subject to FDA inspections if a CBP officer suspects contamination or insect infestation of the product.
If you are ordering these items from a foreign business, that business will be required to file Prior Notice with FDA. when sending the goods to you. (These requirements DO NOT apply to food accompanying a traveler into the U.S. or being sent to someone in the U.S. by another individual.)
To put it in context, some friends who work in the tea business are giving me a gift of 2 x 10kg boxes of loose leaf tea. One box would go by Air and the other by Sea, so it would be going with our personal possessions rather than being carried by us.
On the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States it looks like it would fall under :
0902.40.00 00 Other black tea (fermented) and other partly fermented tea
which carries no duty. We would pay duty if necessary anyway.
I'm a complete "Tea Monster", so this is quite important to me. Sad, but true.
#2
Re: Bringing Tea into US with Personal Possessions
Bringing tea into the US is considered terrorism and akin to buying a one way ticket to Guantonamo Bay.
#4
Re: Bringing Tea into US with Personal Possessions
Just empty it out of whatever container it's in and transfer it to clear plastic baggies. They won't know it's tea.
#6
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,059
#7
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2007
Location: from Yorkshire, via Hampshire and Surrey to NC Triangle
Posts: 76
Re: Bringing Tea into US with Personal Possessions
LOL -
yes, we weren't allowed any foodstuffs at all with our shipment, we brought only what we could fit in our checked in luggage - sorry
but we've found we can buy tea pretty easily, and if it's loose tea you're after we found some pretty quickly in oodles of varieties, there are even tea shops around too.
HTH
yes, we weren't allowed any foodstuffs at all with our shipment, we brought only what we could fit in our checked in luggage - sorry
but we've found we can buy tea pretty easily, and if it's loose tea you're after we found some pretty quickly in oodles of varieties, there are even tea shops around too.
HTH
#8
Re: Bringing Tea into US with Personal Possessions
LOL -
yes, we weren't allowed any foodstuffs at all with our shipment, we brought only what we could fit in our checked in luggage - sorry
but we've found we can buy tea pretty easily, and if it's loose tea you're after we found some pretty quickly in oodles of varieties, there are even tea shops around too.
HTH
yes, we weren't allowed any foodstuffs at all with our shipment, we brought only what we could fit in our checked in luggage - sorry
but we've found we can buy tea pretty easily, and if it's loose tea you're after we found some pretty quickly in oodles of varieties, there are even tea shops around too.
HTH
#9
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 140
Re: Bringing Tea into US with Personal Possessions
I surrender!!!
I take it that it isn't going to happen.
OK. Here's Plan B.
Transfer items that were going into my suitcase to the Air Shipment. Fill aforementioned suitcase with tea. Arrive only in clothes I'm wearing.
Sorted.
Hmmm. I can see an interesting chat with the officials at the airport.
Serious question, given that lots of you do bring back tea in your luggage - how much is likely to be too much? I know, how long is a piece of string?
I take it that it isn't going to happen.
OK. Here's Plan B.
Transfer items that were going into my suitcase to the Air Shipment. Fill aforementioned suitcase with tea. Arrive only in clothes I'm wearing.
Sorted.
Hmmm. I can see an interesting chat with the officials at the airport.
Serious question, given that lots of you do bring back tea in your luggage - how much is likely to be too much? I know, how long is a piece of string?
Last edited by sangiano; Oct 12th 2007 at 5:30 pm.
#10
Re: Bringing Tea into US with Personal Possessions
Wouldn't it be quicker, cheaper and easier to just buy new tea when you get here?
#11
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2005
Location: USA
Posts: 1,865
Re: Bringing Tea into US with Personal Possessions
Ask your shipper to show you/direct you to the information that says you can't include tea in your shipment. Explain that you can't find any reference to tea being forbidden.
#12
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 140
Re: Bringing Tea into US with Personal Possessions
You're probably right. I just want to bring in a month's supply (not 20kg). I'll sort out a Stateside supply during that time.
I'm sure if I do a search in this forum, I'll find plenty of suggestions.
It just seemed like a good idea, especially as it didn't SEEM to be a prohibited item.
I'm also aware how paranoid the US is about importing anything that's been anywhere near a plant or animal, let alone is made from one!
Is it worth the bother - probably not, I'm thinking now.
#13
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,059
Re: Bringing Tea into US with Personal Possessions