Do I have to declare chocolate at customs?
You must declare all food products. If you fail to declare food products, you could face up to $10,000 in fines and penalties. If you declare all agricultural products you are bringing with you, you won't be charged any penalties, even if an inspector determines that they can't enter the country.
Customs and Import Regulations: Upon arrival in the USA, you must declare all food items, including chocolate, to customs. The USA has specific regulations regarding the import of food items for personal use.
Yes, according to US CBP officers, you should declare it as food. I bring chocolate every time I fly from Europe. Generally what happens next is they ask what exactly you are bringing, you say "chocolate" and they let you go.
Merchandise is declared to CBP. If you do not declare something that should have been declared, you risk forfeiting the item.
Chocolate (Solid)
Solid food items (not liquids or gels) can be transported in either your carry-on or checked bags. Liquid or gel food items larger than 3.4 oz are not allowed in carry-on bags and should be placed in your checked bags if possible.
Travellers have to declare everything they acquired abroad and possibly pay customs duty tax on goods. Some countries offer a duty-free allowance of certain products which may not need to be declared explicitly.
Bakery items, candy, chocolate, and cured cheese are generally admissible. Canned goods and goods in vacuum packed jars (other than those containing meat or poultry products) are also generally admissible if being imported for personal use.
Solid food items (not liquids or gels) can be transported in either your carry-on or checked bags.
The only time you can eat chocolate slow and easy is when you are alone. Chocolate is exempt from the golden rule of sharing. Chocolate is bad for dogs…and children…and husbands…and neighbors. Chocolate is good for YOU!
In the United States, pure chocolate must have at least 35% cocoa mass to be classified as a type of pure chocolate (bittersweet, semi-sweet, etc.). In Japan, pure chocolate must have 60% cocoa mass. In Canada, pure chocolate must have 31% cocoa mass to be classified as pure chocolate.
What happens if you don't declare food at customs USA?
You must declare all food products. If you fail to declare food products, you could face up to $10,000 in fines and penalties. If you declare all agricultural products you are bringing with you, you won't be charged any penalties, even if an inspector determines that they can't enter the country.
Also, anything you bring back that you did not have when you left the United States must be "declared." For example, you would declare alterations made in a foreign country to a suit you already owned, and any gifts you acquired outside the United States.
If it is in solid form, then there will be no strict restrictions on carrying chocolate on a plane. But, if it is in liquid form, then you are allowed to carry only 3.4 ounces (liquid rule) of chocolate liquid in your hand luggage. In checked bags, you can carry more than 3.4 ounces of liquid.
Each passenger may carry liquids, gels and aerosols in travel-size containers that are 3.4 ounces or100 milliliters. Each passenger is limited to one quart-size bag of liquids, gels and aerosols.
You are allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes through the checkpoint. These are limited to 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item. This is also known as the 3-1-1 liquids rule.
When a customs inspector asks, "Do you have anything to declare?", they are asking if you are bringing any goods into the country that you are required to report or pay duties on. This includes items such as large amounts of currency, certain food, plants, animals, or other restricted or prohibited items.
The value you declare for personal shipments should be the cost at which you purchased the item; for customs declarations in the case of retail shipments, the value should be the price at which you intend to sell the item. Customs use this value to clear your shipment and determine taxes and duties.
Yes no problem. Hi, As an add-on, do remember that you must declare these items -- the Cadburry's while commercially produced are still "food" items - therefore must be declared on your paper CBP form, or via the new APC units. Make sure you declare them on the Customs declaration form.
How to Declare Food at U.S. Customs. If you are taking any food into the U.S. you must answer yes to 'I am bringing fruits, vegetables, plants, seeds, food, insects'. Although not all items are banned, you need to let customs officers know if you are carrying any food so that the relevant checks can be carried out.
Can You Bring Candy Through Customs In The United States? According to U.S. Customs and Borders Protection, candy is generally admissible, but all food items must be declared. Failure to do so can result in up to $10,000 in fines and penalties.
Should I declare snacks at customs?
However, Customs and Border Protection makes clear that all food items must be declared, and provides a list of items are generally admissible.
Travelers entering the United States must declare all agricultural products on their U.S. Customs forms. U.S. agricultural inspectors will examine your items to be sure they meet entry requirements and do not harbor harmful foreign pests or diseases.
Use airtight containers or resealable bags to prevent air exposure and moisture infiltration. To provide additional insulation, consider wrapping your chocolates in bubble wrap or placing them in an insulated pouch.
If we say that an average human weighs 165 pounds, or 75 kilograms, to reach the level of toxicity for theobromine, or theobromine poisoning, you would need to eat 75,000 milligrams of theobromine. 332 standard- sized Hershey's dark chocolate bars.
How much chocolate can I eat a day? Experts say the recommended “dose” is approximately 1 to 2 ounces or 30-60g. Indulge in anything more than that, and you may be consuming too many calories.
References
- https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/frequently-asked-questions-on-gift-taxes
- https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-418?language=en_US
- https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/know-before-you-go/what-expect-when-you-return
- https://tax2win.in/guide/customs-duty-in-india
- https://www.quora.com/Do-I-have-to-pay-for-customs-if-I-order-clothes-from-the-USA
- https://www.whitakerschocolates.com/blog/can-i-send-chocolate-to-the-usa-from-the-uk/
- https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/kbyg/customs-duty-info
- https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/chocolate-solid
- https://cargos.com/u-s-import-duty-and-taxes-101/
- https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/food?page=1
- https://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-import-export/acceptable-electronic-payment-methods
- https://wise.com/us/import-duty/
- https://internationalcenter.umich.edu/bringing-money-us
- https://people.howstuffworks.com/us-customs-service4.htm
- https://www.usps.com/international/preparing-international-shipments.htm
- https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/know-before-you-go/prohibited-and-restricted-items
- https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/what-do-when-encountering-law-enforcement-airports-and-other-ports-entry-us
- https://www.fedex.com/en-es/customer-support/faq/duties-taxes-imported-goods/when-do-duties-and-taxes-apply/customs-duty-on-gifts-from-abroad.html
- https://thepointsguy.com/guide/luggage-handbag-care-tips/
- https://www.parchedaroundtheworld.com/articles/can-you-bring-candy-on-a-plane/
- https://10xtravel.com/a-customs-declaration-guide-for-food/
- https://www.ups.com/assets/resources/webcontent/en_GB/Commercial-Invoice-Guide-gb.pdf
- https://www.icetransport.com/blog/how-much-does-customs-clearance-cost
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12159550/
- https://greatlakescustomslaw.com/failure-declare-19-usc-1497/
- https://www.hotchemist.co.uk/consequences-of-eating-chocolates/
- https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/resources/traveler/intl-travel/coffee-tea-honey-nuts-spices/coffee-tea-honey-nuts-spices
- https://www.pcbusa.com/post/shipping-gifts-into-the-us-here-is-what-you-need-to-know
- https://preply.com/en/blog/english-for-travelers-how-to-go-through-customs-passport-control-in-the-airport/
- https://guides.ll.georgetown.edu/intlCustomsLaw
- https://lauraclery.com/what-happens-if-you-declare-more-than-10000-us/
- https://www.kolkatacustoms.gov.in/admin/uploads/pdf/KC_Port_public-notice_549_07_09_2016_04_58_07.pdf
- https://www.afar.com/magazine/can-i-use-my-phone-in-the-u-s-customs-line
- https://www.tsa.gov/travel/frequently-asked-questions/what-3-1-1-liquids-rule
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-customs-value-how-calculate-declare-ted-cr%C4%83i%C8%9B%C4%83m%C3%AEndr%C4%83
- https://www.santabarbarachocolate.com/34-rules-of-eating-chocolate/
- https://upload.indiacode.nic.in/showfile?actid=AC_CEN_2_2_00042_196252_1534829466423&type=circular&filename=Cir44-97.pdf
- https://smartasset.com/estate-planning/gift-tax-explained-2021-exemption-and-rates
- https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-334?language=en_US
- https://se.usembassy.gov/information-on-u-s-customs/
- https://www.fedex.com/en-de/customer-support/faq/duties-taxes-imported-goods/paying-duties-taxes/how-to-pay-duties-taxes.html
- https://www.hg.org/legal-articles/what-do-i-have-to-declare-at-customs-when-entering-the-united-states-31665
- https://www.kusakurashop.com/pages/customs-taxes
- https://www.cair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/CAIR_English_Know_Your_Rights_While_Traveling.pdf
- https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/know-before-you-go/your-trip
- https://www.bvbdefense.com/airport-seizures-of-cash/traveling-with-over-10-000-cash/index.html
- https://www.fedex.com/en-gb/shipping-channel/customs-clearance/sending-gifts-abroad.html
- https://it.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/rome/sections-offices/foreign-agricultural-service/bringingsending-food-alcohol-u-s/
- https://www.afcinternationalllc.com/customs-brokerage-news/customs-duties-important/
- https://elgonfa.com/blog/do-i-pay-taxes-on-gifts-from-overseas-family/
- https://www.ally.com/stories/travel/how-to-declare-goods/
- https://www.ashoorilaw.com/blog/mistakes-to-avoid-during-immigration-interview/
- https://informationsecurity.princeton.edu/sites/g/files/toruqf1121/files/searches_of_electronic_devices_at_the_border_-_faqs_-_march_2017_0.pdf
- https://www.customsiq.com/ciq/RulesofInterpretation.cfm?fullweb=1
- https://www.popsci.com/chocolate-theobromine-toxic-amount/
- https://www.quora.com/When-a-customs-officer-is-looking-at-your-passport-upon-entering-a-country-what-are-they-looking-for
- https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/kbyg/money
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Customs_declaration
- https://transporteca.co.uk/import-from-usa-5-how-to-tips/
- https://www.iota-tax.org/system/files/news_secured/folleto_viaj_noue.pdf
- https://www.quora.com/What-do-they-do-at-customs-Do-they-open-your-package-to-see-whats-inside
- https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/packing-light/clearing-customs
- https://ethics.od.nih.gov/gifts-foreign-entities-foreign-gifts-and-decorations-act
- https://travel.stackexchange.com/questions/129153/should-i-declare-chocolate-as-food-when-entering-the-us
- https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/services/fpa-apa/regs-eng.html
- https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-975?language=en_US
- https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/customs-and-import.html
- https://www.indianeagle.com/traveldiary/can-you-bring-chocolate-on-a-plane/
- https://clearitusa.com/u-s-customs-cash-limit/
- https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/gift
- https://www.legit.ng/1174424-how-check-custom-duty-online-nigeria.html
- https://www.parcelmonkey.com/help/customs/will-my-parcel-be-subject-to-customs-charges
- https://travelpro.com/blogs/the-travelpro-blog/how-to-get-through-customs-fast
- https://englishlive.ef.com/en/blog/english-in-the-real-world/8-airport-questions-need-able-answer-english/
- https://www.usavisaupdate.com/articles/us-customs-regulations
- https://www.quora.com/When-a-customs-inspector-asks-Do-you-have-anything-to-declare-what-exactly-do-they-mean
- https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-246?language=en_US
- https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/know-before-you-go
- https://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-import-export/internet-purchases
- https://thegreatergoods.ca/how-chocolate-is-regulated-differently-in-different-countries/
- https://www.easyship.com/duties-and-taxes-calculator/usa
- https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-3619?language=en_US
- https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g1-i10702-k8906694-Chocolates_sweets_into_USA-Air_Travel.html
- https://criminaldefenseattorneytampa.com/asset-seizure-asset-forfeiture/airport/can-tsa-seize-cash/
- https://www.hg.org/legal-articles/u-s-customs-failing-to-disclose-items-upon-entry-48386
- https://www.tsa.gov/videos/travel-tips-3-1-1-liquids-rule
- https://www.stilt.com/blog/2022/05/u-s-customs-entry-questions/
- https://www.greenbacktaxservices.com/knowledge-center/foreign-gift-tax/
- https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/declare
- https://www.myticketstoindia.com/blog/best-way-to-carry-chocolates-in-flight/
- https://travel.stackexchange.com/questions/37354/how-do-custom-officers-determine-if-the-imported-goods-of-a-passenger-are-old-or
- https://www.trendollajewelry.com/blogs/trendolla-shared/how-much-jewelry-can-i-bring-on-the-airplane-to-the-usa
- https://www.sars.gov.za/customs-and-excise/duties-and-taxes/customs-payments/
- https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/foia/US_Citizens.pdf
- https://www.creditrepair.com/blog/money-management/declaring-money-at-customs/
- https://www.investopedia.com/terms/g/gifttax.asp
- https://www.easyship.com/blog/calculating-declared-value
- https://www.visapro.com/resources/article/immigration-inspection-at-us-port-of-entry/
- https://epayment.icegate.gov.in/
- https://www.dhl.com/discover/en-my/logistics-advice/import-export-advice/All-You-Need-to-Know-About-US-Import-Tax-and-Duties