For All Soul’s Day, CBP’s Laredo Field Office reminds public of prohibited agricultural items that can carry citrus greening disease

LAREDO, Texas - As the U.S.-Mexico border community observes the All Souls Day (Día de los Muertos) holiday, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials representing Laredo Field Office ports of entry are advising the traveling public that certain agricultural items used in holiday decorations are prohibited from entry to the U.S. and can carry harmful pests and disease, such as the citrus greening disease. CBP would also like to remind the public of prohibited fruits that tend to be transported by travelers during this holiday period.

"CBP strongly encourages those who purchase floral arrangements in Mexico for altares at home for All Soul's Day to be mindful that there are certain flowers, greenery and fruits that are prohibited from entry," said Branch Chief David Gonzalez. "Our CBP agriculture specialists play a vital role in preventing plant pests and diseases not known to exist in the U.S. from taking root and inflicting ecological and economic harm on American agriculture."

Many border community families celebrate Día de los Muertos by constructing altares (altars) to commemorate the lives of loved ones that have passed on. A common type of ornamental greenery known as murraya or orange jasmine is often used in the construction of altares. Murraya is a host plant for the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, an insect that can carry citrus greening disease and is therefore prohibited from entry into the U.S.

Another common flower that is prohibited is chrysanthemum. These are prohibited due to chrysanthemum white rust; a serious fungal disease caused by Pucciana horiana. By comparison, the popular cempasuchil flower (Mexican marigold), commonly used for Dia de Los Muertos celebrations, is admissible as long as it's free of pests, soil and is meant for decorative purposes.

Citrus fruit that is prohibited from personal importation include the following: oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, sour oranges and sweet limes. Other popular fruits that are also prohibited include guavas, mangoes, peaches and pomegranates.

Failure to declare prohibited agricultural items also can result in fines. Penalties for personal importations of undeclared, prohibited agricultural items, depending on the severity of the violation, can run as high as $1,000 and up to more than $250,000 for commercial importations.

The traveling public can learn more about bringing food items to the U.S. by consulting the attached link. For more information regarding prohibited fruits, vegetables, prepared foods and other items, please consult CBP's "Know Before You Go" guide link.

For more detailed information about USDA guidelines for bringing agricultural items to the U.S., travelers can also examine the following link.

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