Washington, D.C., December 18, 2018 – The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service announced that the North Pole was checking out its new USDA traveler information web page. The web page provides important information about which agricultural items may enter the United States – and which ones are best left behind. This helps to protect the health of our country’s plants, animals and natural resources. “... We are thrilled to hear directly from Santa’s elves that the big man himself was comparing his gift list to our requirements,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue. “We thank Santa for setting a great example. We know he always gets a permit for his reindeer to enter the U.S., but this year he’s going above and beyond to help protect our farmers, ranchers and citizens.”
Food and other items (plants, seeds, wood, fiber or straw) from other countries can carry pests and diseases not found in the United States. Certain items are not allowed to be carried in by travelers, but some items may be allowed with specific documentation. USDA’s new site helps everyone know what is okay to bring in to the U.S. : https://www.aphis.usda.gov/travel
