U.S. Customs and Border Protection Urges Travelers to Declare Agricultural Products to Protect U.S. Agriculture
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) San Diego Field Office has issued a reminder to travelers to declare all flowers and plant materials brought from Mexico, especially as Mother's Day approaches. This period typically sees an increase in travelers carrying bouquets and greenery across the border. The CBP emphasizes that even a single pest or disease introduced through these items can cause significant damage to U.S. agriculture, necessitating costly mitigation efforts. Travelers are encouraged to declare all agricultural products, including flowers and plants, to avoid potential penalties and to protect domestic crops. Certain flowers, like chrysanthemums, are prohibited due to the risk of introducing destructive diseases such as Chrysanthemum White Rust. CBP agriculture specialists conduct thorough inspections at ports of entry to detect pests and diseases, with some inspections involving physical examination of bouquets. 
