Are you a beef jerky lover planning a trip to the United States?
You may be wondering if you can bring your favorite snack with you.
The answer is yes, but with some restrictions.
In this article, we’ll explore the rules and regulations surrounding bringing beef jerky into the USA, including what types are allowed, how much you can bring, and where you can pack it.
So grab a bag of your favorite jerky and let’s dive in!
Can I Bring Beef Jerky To USA?
If you’re traveling to the USA from another country, you may be wondering if you can bring beef jerky with you. The good news is that commercially packaged and cooked beef jerky is allowed into the country. However, there are some restrictions to keep in mind.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits travelers from bringing back most cattle, swine, sheep, or goat meat or meat products from countries affected by certain serious livestock diseases. These diseases include foot-and-mouth disease, bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), swine vesicular disease, classical swine fever, and African swine fever. To find out a country’s status for these diseases, visit the USDA’s animal disease status page.
Travelers may bring back fresh (chilled or frozen), cooked, cured, or dried meat from countries without these diseases if they have official documentation to prove the product’s country of origin. The following items are considered official documentation: package label, written documentation, proof of travel (passport or travel itinerary), origin of flight, receipt of sale, CBP document (based on the officer’s interview of the traveler), a meat inspection certificate, or certificate of origin.
Boneless meat in commercially packaged, labeled, and contained in unopened hermetically sealed containers or packages that are cooked by a commercial method after such packing to produce articles that are shelf-stable without refrigeration is also allowed.
Cured hams (prosciutto, Serrano ham, Iberian ham) and salami from areas within France, Germany, Italy and Spain may not be brought into the United States by travelers. These items may only enter in commercial shipments because there are special restrictions that require additional certification and documentation.
In the United States, beef jerky is allowed in hand and cargo baggage without any restrictions. There isn’t a limit to how much beef jerky you can pack or a specific type allowed. All types of beef jerky are welcome onboard. Keep in mind that beef jerky with any liquids or additional sauces is subject to TSA’s liquids rule. If the liquid content is over 3.4 ounces / 100 milliliters, they won’t be allowed through airport security.
What Is Beef Jerky?
Beef jerky is a popular snack made from lean cuts of beef that are sliced into thin strips and dried (dehydrated) to prevent spoilage. The process of making beef jerky involves removing fat and other impurities from the meat, marinating it with various spices and sauces, and then cooking and dehydrating it to produce a shelf-stable product. The use of salt in the drying process prevents bacterial growth, which allows beef jerky to last for months without refrigeration.
Beef jerky is a nutrient-dense snack that is high in protein and low in fat. It is a convenient and portable snack that can be enjoyed on-the-go or as an addition to a meal. While traditional beef jerky is savory and salty, there are many different flavors and styles available in the marketplace, including sweet, spicy, and gourmet varieties.
When traveling to the USA from another country, commercially packaged and cooked beef jerky is allowed without restrictions. However, travelers should be aware of restrictions on bringing back certain meat products from countries affected by serious livestock diseases. It’s important to check the USDA’s animal disease status page for information on a country’s status before bringing any meat products into the USA.
Types Of Beef Jerky Allowed In The USA
When it comes to beef jerky, all types of commercially packaged and cooked beef jerky are allowed in the USA. This includes beef jerky made from domesticated animals such as beef, pork, goat, and mutton or lamb, as well as game animals such as deer, kudu, springbok, kangaroo, and bison. Recently, other animals such as turkey, salmon, and earthworm have entered the market as well.
It’s important to note that beef jerky with any liquids or additional sauces is subject to TSA’s liquids rule. If the liquid content is over 3.4 ounces / 100 milliliters, they won’t be allowed through airport security. These sauces would also need to be packed with other liquids in a 1-liter clear resealable bag. However, in checked luggage, there aren’t any quantity restrictions for liquids.
If you’re traveling internationally, then you’ll need to check with the airline to see if it has any restrictions. Some airlines don’t allow certain types of food on their planes. However, most airlines will allow beef jerky as long as it’s packaged and doesn’t contain any liquids or gels. You’ll also need to check the restrictions for the country you’re traveling to. Some countries have bans on certain types of meat, so it’s always best to check before bringing beef jerky with you.
Restrictions On Bringing Beef Jerky Into The USA
While beef jerky is generally allowed into the USA, there are some restrictions that travelers need to be aware of. The USDA prohibits the importation of most cattle, swine, sheep, or goat meat or meat products from countries affected by certain serious livestock diseases. This means that travelers cannot bring beef jerky from countries with foot-and-mouth disease, bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), swine vesicular disease, classical swine fever, or African swine fever.
However, travelers can bring back fresh (chilled or frozen), cooked, cured, or dried meat from countries without these diseases if they have official documentation to prove the product’s country of origin. The documentation can include package label, written documentation, proof of travel (passport or travel itinerary), origin of flight, receipt of sale, CBP document (based on the officer’s interview of the traveler), a meat inspection certificate, or certificate of origin.
It’s important to note that cured hams and salami from areas within France, Germany, Italy and Spain may not be brought into the United States by travelers. These items may only enter in commercial shipments because there are special restrictions that require additional certification and documentation.
While beef jerky is allowed in hand and cargo baggage without any restrictions in the USA, travelers should keep in mind that beef jerky with any liquids or additional sauces is subject to TSA’s liquids rule. If the liquid content is over 3.4 ounces / 100 milliliters, they won’t be allowed through airport security. It’s also important to check the customs rules of your destination country if you are flying across borders.
How Much Beef Jerky Can You Bring Into The USA?
When it comes to beef jerky, there are no specific quantity restrictions for travelers bringing it into the USA. Whether you have a small bag or a large one, you can pack as much beef jerky as you want in both carry-on and checked luggage. However, keep in mind that if your beef jerky has any liquids or additional sauces, it must comply with the TSA’s liquids rule. If the liquid content exceeds 3.4 ounces / 100 milliliters, it won’t be allowed through airport security. These sauces would also need to be packed with other liquids in a 1-liter clear resealable bag. In checked luggage, there aren’t any quantity restrictions for liquids.
It’s important to note that while beef jerky is allowed without restrictions, other meat products may not be allowed or may have specific restrictions. For example, fresh (chilled or frozen), cooked, cured, or dried meat from countries affected by certain serious livestock diseases is prohibited unless official documentation is provided to prove the product’s country of origin. Cured hams and salami from certain areas in Europe may also not be allowed for personal importation.
Packing Beef Jerky For Your Trip To The USA
If you’re planning to bring beef jerky with you on your trip to the USA, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, make sure that the beef jerky is commercially packaged and cooked. This means that homemade beef jerky is not allowed.
Second, if you’re traveling from a country affected by serious livestock diseases, you may not be able to bring beef jerky into the USA. Check the USDA’s animal disease status page to find out if your country is affected.
Third, if you’re bringing beef jerky with any liquids or additional sauces, make sure that the liquid content is under 3.4 ounces / 100 milliliters. If it’s over this limit, it won’t be allowed through airport security. These sauces would also need to be packed with other liquids in a 1-liter clear resealable bag.
Fourth, if you’re packing the beef jerky in your checked luggage, make sure that it’s not moving around too much during the flight. You can use clothing or other soft items to cushion and protect the beef jerky. Alternatively, you can bring it as a carry-on item, but be prepared for TSA to examine it.
Finally, remember that beef jerky is an excellent choice for travel because it’s a good source of protein and doesn’t need to be refrigerated. It’s also portable and easy to eat on the go. Just make sure that you follow the guidelines above to ensure that your beef jerky makes it through airport security and customs without any issues.
Conclusion: Enjoying Beef Jerky In The USA
In conclusion, beef jerky is a popular snack in the USA and can be enjoyed by travelers coming from other countries as well. While there are restrictions on bringing certain types of meat products into the country, commercially packaged and cooked beef jerky is allowed. It’s important to check the USDA’s animal disease status page and have official documentation to prove the product’s country of origin. Boneless meat in commercially packaged, labeled, and contained in unopened hermetically sealed containers or packages that are cooked by a commercial method after such packing to produce articles that are shelf-stable without refrigeration is also allowed.
Once in the USA, there are no restrictions on how much beef jerky you can pack or a specific type allowed. However, beef jerky with any liquids or additional sauces is subject to TSA’s liquids rule. It’s best to stick with plain beef jerky to avoid any issues at airport security. Whether you’re a traveler or a local, beef jerky is a convenient and tasty snack that’s perfect for on-the-go activities like hiking or camping. So go ahead and enjoy the world’s healthiest and best-tasting snack!
