🇺🇸 United States · FOOD ENTRY
Can I bring meat into United States?
Restrictions depend on origin, livestock disease status and processing.
Personal travel from overseas. Hawaii and other destinations may have additional conditions.
Last checked · Official sources
Before you pack
- Check species, origin evidence and current APHIS regional conditions
Distinguish raw meat, cooked meat and shelf-stable meat heated after sealing.
Confirm the applicable exception or required documents before packing.
Which products does this cover?
Identify the species, origin and whether meat is raw, cooked or retorted.
You can find this guide using: beef · pork · chicken · meat.
Check your actual package
- Species and origin
- Chilled, frozen or shelf-stable
- Processing evidence and manufacturer label
United States food declaration
Declare food and agricultural products to CBP. Keep the original packaging and origin information for inspection.
U.S. food declaration guidance ↗Common questions
Can I bring meat into United States?
Restrictions depend on origin, livestock disease status and processing. Check species, origin evidence and current APHIS regional conditions
Do I need to declare meat?
△ Declare. Declare food and agricultural products to CBP. Keep the original packaging and origin information for inspection.
Does putting it in checked baggage change food-entry rules?
Food-entry checks still apply to baggage entering the country. Follow the conditions above; airline and airport-security baggage rules are a separate check.
What distinction matters for this food?
Distinguish raw meat, cooked meat and shelf-stable meat heated after sealing.
Official rule & review date
USDA APHIS · U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Check official rules ↗USDA APHIS — Meats, Poultry and SeafoodLast checked: 2026.10.03
Entry rules can depend on ingredients, origin, processing and current biosecurity conditions. The destination authority makes the final decision.