Will my Disneyland snacks be confiscated at the CA border?

[Cal-Pie]

I know this is stupid question but I can't figure it out. I want to bring fruits and veggies to snack on during our trip. But, I know last time I crossed the border into California I saw signs saying you had to stop if you had produce. Is this only for agricultural trucks or are they going to take my store bought apples and sugar snap peas?

 

[angelbear425]

This rule a applies to everyone because you aren't supposed to bring produce across borders, or at least that's how it was last i traveled. Why not save the hassle and buy here?

 

[blackjackdelta]

I know this is stupid question but I can't figure it out. I want to bring fruits and veggies to snack on during our trip. But, I know last time I crossed the border into California I saw signs saying you had to stop if you had produce. Is this only for agricultural trucks or are they going to take my store bought apples and sugar snap peas?

Any produce. I am sure its up to the inspector, but any produce if you declare it, they probably take it. Took my sons apple he was eating.


Jack

 

[guineapiggie]

misread thread

 

[Cal-Pie]

Guess I'll stick to junk food then

 

[k3chantal]

I know this is stupid question but I can't figure it out. I want to bring fruits and veggies to snack on during our trip. But, I know last time I crossed the border into California I saw signs saying you had to stop if you had produce. Is this only for agricultural trucks or are they going to take my store bought apples and sugar snap peas?

Where are you coming from? If you are from Hawaii; it's a no-go but if you are from the continental United States; you are fine. I don't know about Mexico or Canada but I believe you may not be able to in that case.

I don't know where you are staying but at our last hotel it included breakfast. We saw people take with them additional bananas, apples and oranges to enjoy throughout the day.

 

[blackjackdelta]

Where are you coming from? If you are from Hawaii; it's a no-go but if you are from the continental United States; you are fine. I don't know about Mexico or Canada but I believe you may not be able to in that case.

I don't know where you are staying but at our last hotel it included breakfast. We saw people take with them additional bananas, apples and oranges to enjoy throughout the day.

They stopped us at the N. Cal/Oregon boarder every time we cross.

Jack

 

[danaesacto]

Where are you coming from? If you are from Hawaii; it's a no-go but if you are from the continental United States; you are fine. I don't know about Mexico or Canada but I believe you may not be able to in that case.

I don't know where you are staying but at our last hotel it included breakfast. We saw people take with them additional bananas, apples and oranges to enjoy throughout the day.

NOT arguing, just wondering- it has been just over a year since I came back into California from Nevada and had to declare and throw out our produce- since when did they stop?

http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/pe/ExteriorExclusion/borders_faq.html OP that might help

 

[Cal-Pie]

Where are you coming from? If you are from Hawaii; it's a no-go but if you are from the continental United States; you are fine. I don't know about Mexico or Canada but I believe you may not be able to in that case.

I don't know where you are staying but at our last hotel it included breakfast. We saw people take with them additional bananas, apples and oranges to enjoy throughout the day.

Coming from Utah. I can pick up some fruit once we get there, but thought it would be nice to have some to snack on along the way. Guess we'll have to do our healthy snacking while we're still in NV .

 

[danaesacto]

Coming from Utah. I can pick up some fruit once we get there, but thought it would be nice to have some to snack on along the way. Guess we'll have to do our healthy snacking while we're still in NV .

Yes, because they only care about things like fruit flies- and potato chips are fruit fly free

 

[Pesky]

I still remember we had to chuck a grapefruit when we moved from FL to CA. So likely they will. I would bring a couple for your drive to the border and just buy more at a grocery store on the way to DLR.

 

[Cal-Pie]

Yes, because they only care about things like fruit flies- and potato chips are fruit fly free

I guess it's cheetos and chocolate then . At least the kids won't argue!

 

[RSWA2]

Coming from Utah.

So then I'm guessing you are crossing at the NV/CA border at 80? Unless you are driving a non-passenger vehicle, like a delivery truck or a semi or a farm truck, you will not be stopped. As you reach the inspection area, they will see you are just a family car and wave you through. They can't inspect everyone.

Most fruits are probably safe for transportation if you bought them from a grocery store. And not from a farm side stand. On the CDFA website, if it meets requirements, it's ok.

 

[Susie63]

Okay ..this is a stupid question but who is checking you out when you cross a state line?

 

[danaesacto]

Here is the link to the map of stations and if they are commercial only or private vehicles too. http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/PE/ExteriorExclusion/borders_map.html

and from my experience- I get stopped at Truckee (HWY 80)- they ask about fruits and which state I bought them in... but like I said it has been a bit over a year so things could have changed...

Susie- California is big on protecting their agriculture from invasive bugs- they have Border Protection Stations on major highways into the state...

From the FAQ's I posted above:

WHAT ARE YOUR INSPECTORS LOOKING FOR?

Our inspectors check vehicles and commodities for compliance with California and federal plant quarantine regulations. They also check commodities to make sure they are free from exotic invasive species that may be hitchhiking with them. Although the primary focus is on plant materials (i.e., fruits, vegetables, nursery stock, hay, firewood, etc.), other items are also frequently inspected.

WHAT LEGAL AUTHORITY DO YOUR INSPECTORS HAVE TO STOP AND CHECK MY VEHICLE?

The Departments legal authority for conducting vehicle and commodity inspections lies in the California Food and Agricultural Code, specifically Sections 5341-5353 and 6301-6465. Although submitting to inspection is voluntary, vehicle and commodities are not allowed to enter until released by an inspector.

WHY ARE SOME VEHICLES INSPECTED MORE THOROUGHLY THAN OTHERS?

To minimize delays at the border (with nearly 30 million vehicles passing through the border stations each year), our inspectors are trained to conduct their inspections by the risk that a vehicle may be carrying hitchhiking pests in itthe higher the risk, the more thorough the inspection. This assessment is based on several factors, including route of travel, time of year and vehicle type.

 

[DLRfan31]

The California Dept of Food and Agriculture

 

[bcla]

Okay ..this is a stupid question but who is checking you out when you cross a state line?

http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/pe/ExteriorExclusion/borders.html

In 2010, more than 27.5 million private vehicles and 7 million commercial vehicles were inspected at the BPS. From these vehicles, inspectors rejected over 82,000 lots of plant material (fruits, vegetables, plants, etc.) because they were in violation of California or federal plant quarantine laws.

I've been stopped in a private noncommercial vehicle. I was asked if I had any type of plant product. I'm pretty sure they don't care if it's a banana, but other types of produce might not be OK. You can always buy some once you get into California.

 

[thewritegirl]

We live near the Oregon/Cali border. Every car going into Cali on I-5 gets stopped. They only take certain produce. If I have fresh fruit, I (of course) let them know, but I've never had to give it up, it's always been stuff that's ok.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Whenever I return from Texas I'm always stopped and asked if I have any produce.

 

[PHXscuba]

I still remember childhood family vacations, about to cross back into California, and my mother frantically digging through the cooler for the fruit we had left. She'd make us eat it all up in the last few miles and would hand the inspectors a baggie with pits and cores!

FWIW, I travel back and forth from AZ several times a year and can't recall the last time my car even got stopped at the CA/AZ border.

PHXscuba