If you only cross to Tijuana to buy certain products, you better check that these are allowed to enter the United States
Although many Tijuanans used to do their shopping in San Diego, some Americans also often cross to Tijuana to do their errands, since it is much cheaper or they do not find a said product in stock in the United States. Now, with the coronavirus crisis, travel has been restricted, but that does not prevent people from still visiting Tijuana in search of some items.
There are restricted and prohibited products that you cannot cross from Mexico to the United States, if you are one of those who do your shopping in Tijuana, here we tell you which are those that are allowed to pass.
The following products are eligible:
Condiments: ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, marmite and vegemite, and prepared sauces that do not contain meat.
Olive oil and other vegetable oils
Baked and Processed Products : Bread, cookies, crackers, cakes, granola bars, cereals.
Sweets and chocolates
Dairy: Solid yogurt cheese, sour cream, butter, butter oil, feta cheese, brie, camembert, pickled cheese, buffalo mozzarella and mozzarella, ricotta cheese.
Canned Products: Those containing meat are not allowed.
Fish: Exclusively in small quantities of fish, shrimp, abalone and other shellfish, which can be fresh, frozen, dried, smoked, canned or cooked.
Dried fruit
Baby milk
Canned juices
Mushrooms : fresh, dry and above-ground parts that are clean and free of soil.
Tea : Packaged or in a bag. Herbs: Coca, barberry and loose citrus leaves are FORBIDDEN.
Coffee : roasted or unroasted if it has no pulp
Honey: comb honey, royal jelly, bee bread or propolis, exclusively for personal use.
Noodles and ramen that do not have meat or eggs in the spice packets.
Flours : wheat, rice, oats and corn flour
Walnuts – All walnuts are allowed if they have been boiled, cooked, ground, oven-dried, pureed, roasted, or steamed, just like shelled walnuts.
Baked Goods: Candy, Chocolate & Dry Mixes, Baking Mixes, Cocoa Mixes, Drink Mixes, Instant Cake Mixes, Instant Pudding Mixes, Liquid Drink Mixes.
Aloe: the parts above the ground
Coconuts : the shells must have been removed and may not have germinated
Garlic : with peeled cloves
Ginger: with clean roots
Soy lecithin – in pod
Tamarind : in pod
Water chestnut : walnut only
For more information, see this link.
For additional information on agricultural and other items that can or cannot be brought into the United States from Mexico, Canada, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and other countries visit APHIS/USDA website or email the National Center for
Import and Export at AskNCIE.Products@aphis.usda.gov. You may also call APHIS at 301-851-3300 or toll-free at 877-770-5990.
