Overview
- CBP is reminding travelers at southern crossings to declare flowers and plant material as officers increase checks for the holiday surge.
- Roses and carnations usually pass after inspection, but chrysanthemums from Mexico are banned because they can carry chrysanthemum white rust, a fungal disease.
- Foliage in bouquets can hide dangerous insects, with murraya, or orange jasmine, flagged as a host for the Asian citrus psyllid that can damage citrus trees.
- Agricultural specialists shake bouquets, inspect leaves, and collect samples to spot insects or disease, and they can reject whole arrangements if pests are found.
- Plants meant for planting or any item with soil require permits, so travelers who skip paperwork or fail to declare risk on-the-spot seizure or refusal at the port of entry.