sangiano

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.

Leslie

Bringing tea into the US is considered terrorism and akin to buying a one way ticket to Guantonamo Bay.

Roland Hulme

Customs and Immigration will pour it into the nearest available harbour.

Fish won't sleep for weeks.

another bloody yank

Just empty it out of whatever container it's in and transfer it to clear plastic baggies. They won't know it's tea.

Bluegrass Lass

Made me choke on my drink!

Bill_S

You probably didn't specify the correct shipping container. You need one like this:


Just cross out "RADIOACTIVE" and write in "BRITISH FOODSTUFF" and you'll be sorted.

Hope this helps.

mommapudding

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

Leslie

Don't be daft!! Tea is illegal in the states .... it has proven narcotic qualities and makes the natives too horny to work the required 70 hour week.

sangiano

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?

Bob

Wouldn't it be quicker, cheaper and easier to just buy new tea when you get here?

Celsius

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.

sangiano

Bob,

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.

We've done that. Awaiting a reply.

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.

Bill_S

After dealing with US immigration, I automatically assume that any solution that is quicker, cheaper, or easier is either illegal or impossible.

sangiano

Bob

PG Tips, x2 box of 250 count tea bags are $25 with free shipping via amazon