Bringing dehydrated backcountry meals into the US

Hi,

I'm emigrating to the US later this month. I have a bunch of dehydrated backcountry meals (shop-purchased, not home made) and I'm trying to figure out whether it's permissible to bring them into the US. I know that e.g. fresh or frozen fruit, seeds, meat etc. are not permitted, but it's less clear for dehydrated food which is of course heavily processed and sealed. I will declare anything that I bring over the border, but if it's likely to get taken off me and binned at point of entry then I'd rather just give it away before I leave. 

Does anyone have first hand experience of bringing dried meals into the US? 

1.  I think it will be fine. But google the gov't website would be my suggestion. 

2. if concerned, ship them?  (but that might be more than the cost of just buying again in the states?)

Yes. I have never had a problem. Either bringing stuff back that had been purchased overseas or stuff originally purchased in the us and not consumed on an expedition. Just declare it and it’s all good. 

Double J wrote:

1.  I think it will be fine. But google the gov't website would be my suggestion. 

2. if concerned, ship them?  (but that might be more than the cost of just buying again in the states?)

Thanks, yes cost of shipping independently probably makes it not feasible, and anyway the point of entry checks and rules will be the same I assume. I'm having a bunch of stuff shipped actually but want to try to keep food and drink out of it to simply customs clearance. I have had a look at the government website but I couldn't find anything obvious that specifically addressed it, but maybe I should double check.

Graham Johnson wrote:

Yes. I have never had a problem. Either bringing stuff back that had been purchased overseas or stuff originally purchased in the us and not consumed on an expedition. Just declare it and it’s all good. 

That's what I was leaning towards - good to have some corroboration. Thank you.

There’s always the chance it’ll be taken from you but generally speaking, compared to other countries, the US has very few shits to give about bringing food in. 

I've done it many times, I wouldn't worry about it, they're more concerned about fresh foods. 

Are these meals packaged (sealed)? They should be fine. USCBP is more concerned with fresh fruits/vegetables that are invasive or can carry over insects or plant pathogens such as fungi. Bushmeat is also a big no-no and routinely intercepted by customs. Anything in the manufacturer’s box/shrink wrap/etc should 99% be fine. If in doubt, you can also contact CBP through their website and provide a description or photo of the item and they may be able to make a determination. Also check “de minimis” rules on the website - certain low value items may be exempt from import duties.

USCBP also has field offices at certain European airports and Heathrow may have one, so consider giving them a phone call for quick answers.

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/resources/traveler/intl-travel 

"As long as you declare all the agricultural products you are bringing with you, you will not face any penalties—even if an inspector determines that they cannot enter the country. "

"Travelers may bring back 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."