Mailing meat leads to $100 fines and more

Many U.S. personnel in Europe have received a $100 fine from the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection because they mailed packages of wurst, ham or pâté to America. However, infestations of animal disease cost U.S. taxpayers millions of dollars each year.

It is illegal to import red meats and sausage into the U.S. without U.S. Department of Agriculture approval. CBP routinely checks packages from overseas, often with dogs trained to sniff out food. Trying to “sneak” meats into the country is a crime and it is worth remembering this as you prepare your holiday shopping list later this year.

“All packages mailed to the U.S. must have a customs declaration,” said William Manning, USDA attaché to the U.S. European Command. “In many cases, people falsely list the contents of packages. Willfully trying to import anything into the U.S. without declaring it is smuggling and carries very stiff penalties and fines. To aid in the fight against pests and diseases in the U.S., we must all do our part. We can all start by honoring our import laws. It’s the right thing to do.”

Call a military customs office to find out more or visit the Web site at www.hqusareur.army.mil/opm/uscustoms.htm.