Border Patrol Cracking Down on Dia de los Muertos Items

EL PASO, TX – Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is an annual multi-cultural two-day celebration that begins November 1.  The occasion is also associated with the celebration of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.  The holiday celebration gathers families and friends to honor those who have passed.  Gravesites are tended to, and altars or shrines are constructed and decorated with candles, food, drinks, candies, and flowers known as ofrendas (offerings).

In the upcoming days, U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s agriculture specialists will be ready to conduct inspections on flowers and groceries coming in through the ports of entry, including those which may be associated with the celebration. 

CBP is reminding travelers that some of the prohibited cut flowers include all chrysanthemums (crisantemo), choisya, murraya, and juniper.  All fresh tomatoes, peppers, pomegranates, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and yams are some of the prohibited fruits and vegetables. Prohibited meats include raw chicken and eggs, and products containing pork.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is reminding the traveling public to declare all plants, flowers, groceries, prepared foods, medication, alcoholic beverages, and spirits.  Undeclared prohibited products may result in a penalty. Declared but prohibited products can be discarded without consequence.

Individuals who are considering purchasing floral arrangements or cut flowers in Mexico for transport to the U.S. should advise their florist so prohibited plant species will not be used in the arrangement.  A list of common cut flowers allowed from Mexico is available at the El Paso ports of entry. For more import and travel information visit DontPackAPest.comor CBP.gov.

As a reminder travel restrictions remain in place. The travel restrictions will remain in effect until 11:59 p.m. EST on November 21, 2020 unless they are amended or rescinded.

U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents and certain other travelers are exempt from the restrictions on entry at U.S. land borders. These individuals will receive the same processing, evaluation and potential CDC medical screening that all entrants undergo at U.S. ports of entry.  While these groups are exempt from the restrictions CBP is encouraging those groups to reconsider their need to cross the border and to limit their excursions to help control the spread of COVID-19