I'm sending a friend home to the U.S. with some organic (unprocessed, unpasteurised, bottled right out of the hive by the owner) honey. Is this something he would need to declare at the agricultural counter of customs there, or is it probably ok not to mention anything?

"Steven"

This is a bit of a grey area.

I assume from your post the honey would be in unmarked container.

I would mark yes to the bringing in food question, and then show the item. Most likely, they will allow it anyway.

Food that is processed is allowed, but again, this honey may not be seen as processedm except by the bees.

If the food box isn't marked, and a search happens, they might be a little pissed off.

Edited April 2, 200620 yr by Thaiquila

Yes, unmarked bottle- your advice seems sound, thanks!

Honey is not on the US Customs and Border Protection Approved list! You should declare, but I have no doubt it will be eligible for entry, as most restrictions are enforced to protect Home Industries. If you don't declare, those little dogs will get you! They had me once

USA also protect for not getting some deseas (sorry wrong spelling....) or bugs inside USA and honey is not dangerous, so on questioning someone who learnd food-technologie it shouldn't be a risk for USA and hopefully that is reflected in the laws....

Honey is not on the US Customs and Border Protection Approved list! You should declare, but I have no doubt it will be eligible for entry, as most restrictions are enforced to protect Home Industries. If you don't declare, those little dogs will get you! They had me once

USA also protect for not getting some deseas (sorry wrong spelling....) or bugs inside USA and honey is not dangerous, so on questioning someone who learnd food-technologie it shouldn't be a risk for USA and hopefully that is reflected in the laws....

Honey is not on the US Customs and Border Protection Approved list! You should declare, but I have no doubt it will be eligible for entry, as most restrictions are enforced to protect Home Industries. If you don't declare, those little dogs will get you! They had me once

honey that has not been heat treated can carry disease that may effect indigenous bees, however the USA probably already has all the nasties, so they well may let it pass.check with border control.

USA also protect for not getting some deseas (sorry wrong spelling....) or bugs inside USA and honey is not dangerous, so on questioning someone who learnd food-technologie it shouldn't be a risk for USA and hopefully that is reflected in the laws....

Honey is not on the US Customs and Border Protection Approved list! You should declare, but I have no doubt it will be eligible for entry, as most restrictions are enforced to protect Home Industries. If you don't declare, those little dogs will get you! They had me once

honey that has not been heat treated can carry disease that may effect indigenous bees, however the USA probably already has all the nasties, so they well may let it pass.check with border control.

hmm, did not know that! do you have details? we always saw honey as complete unproblematic, but we never talked about natural honey....

And I never thought to much about honey

USA also protect for not getting some deseas (sorry wrong spelling....) or bugs inside USA and honey is not dangerous, so on questioning someone who learnd food-technologie it shouldn't be a risk for USA and hopefully that is reflected in the laws....

Honey is not on the US Customs and Border Protection Approved list! You should declare, but I have no doubt it will be eligible for entry, as most restrictions are enforced to protect Home Industries. If you don't declare, those little dogs will get you! They had me once

honey that has not been heat treated can carry disease that may effect indigenous bees, however the USA probably already has all the nasties, so they well may let it pass.check with border control.

hmm, did not know that! do you have details? we always saw honey as complete unproblematic, but we never talked about natural honey....

And I never thought to much about honey

In NZ and I think Australia, you are not allowed to bring in untreated honey.

USA also protect for not getting some deseas (sorry wrong spelling....) or bugs inside USA and honey is not dangerous, so on questioning someone who learnd food-technologie it shouldn't be a risk for USA and hopefully that is reflected in the laws....

Honey is not on the US Customs and Border Protection Approved list! You should declare, but I have no doubt it will be eligible for entry, as most restrictions are enforced to protect Home Industries. If you don't declare, those little dogs will get you! They had me once

honey that has not been heat treated can carry disease that may effect indigenous bees, however the USA probably already has all the nasties, so they well may let it pass.check with border control.

hmm, did not know that! do you have details? we always saw honey as complete unproblematic, but we never talked about natural honey....

And I never thought to much about honey

In NZ and I think Australia, you are not allowed to bring in untreated honey.

Yes, you are correct New Zealand & Western Australia, along with quite a few other Countries ban honey from import. I have now found confirmation from US Customs that honey is allowed in OK, but should be declared.

Thanks so much, everyone!