When you visit Tuscany, you surely will find some wonderful delights that you wish you could buy and enjoy at home. However, it’s important to keep in mind that no matter how much you adore that Italian cheese or the lovely bottle of Chianti wine that the U.S. Customs has various rules and regulations regarding what you are allowed to buy and bring back into the United States. So keep this in mind when you are shopping in Tuscany.
It’s important to know these rules ahead of time, because it would be heart breaking to buy a special cheese or homemade sausage that you fell in love with and have to part with it at a trashcan at the airport! At least you can buy Tuscan wine and keep it.
You are allowed to bring back $800 worth of souvenir goods, but you’ll face taxes of 3 percent on the next $1,000 worth of goods. So keep that in mind when you are shopping in Tuscany or shopping in Florence. Many people think it’s better not to declare the goods, however note that you can face steep fines if you go this route.
Generally speaking you can’t buy and bring back any dried meats, fruits or vegetables. The meat rule even applies to soup mixes that may have small amounts of dried meats in their seasoning mixes. Rice of all types is generally not allowed, however most crackers and dried pastas are allowed.
The general rule is that all meats – be it dried, fresh, cured or canned – cannot be purchased and brought back. U.S. Customs will allow small amounts of “personal” fish to be purchased and brought back to the United States.
Eggs face a similar fate of meats, fruits and vegetables and are generally not allowed through U.S. Customs. Cheese and dairy issues are tricky. It basically depends on the type and texture of cheese to determine if it’s acceptable or not. Generally, it’s allowed if its aged and vacuum packed. Hard cheeses are allowed, but they can’t have any meat in them. Some semi-soft cheeses, such as buffalo mozzarella, is allowed. Cheese that are unpasteurized are not allowed unless they pass a certain age limit of being at least 60 days old. It’s a challenge to get liquid milk or cream in, unless it is formula, breastmilk or fluid milk intended for an infant to eat.
At least there is good news regarding the wine you fell in love with in Tuscany! You are allowed to buy and bring home up to a liter of alcohol free of taxes. You can bring back more for your own use, but you have to pay taxes and duty on it. However, the rules about alcohol can vary depending on what state's airport you are flying into. If local rules don’t allow it, your wine will be confiscated.
