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Post by bolaurent on Apr 10, 2011 7:54:43 GMT -5
I purchased a 50 gram bag of fermented and roasted cacao beans from Saint Lucia, in retail packaging, from Rabot Estate, in London. Will U.S. Customs confiscate these if I bring them back to San Francisco with me on a passenger flight?
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Post by deborah on Apr 10, 2011 10:49:32 GMT -5
no. I recently researched this since I was going to Costa Rica. I even have it in writing from the Customs people. Cocoa beans are duty free, so you can bring as much as you want for personal use as long as you declare it, since there is a miniscule chance the DOA would want to inspect them for bugs. For 50 grams, I'm not even sure it's worth writing down, but probably better safe than sorry.
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Post by cheebs on Apr 11, 2011 18:10:44 GMT -5
I wouldn't even bother declaring it. It's too small an amount and I know many people that have carried up to 5 kilos of beans with them with zero issues.
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nat
Neophyte
Posts: 19
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Post by nat on Apr 21, 2011 17:50:08 GMT -5
Nope, no problem at all. I've brought several pounds of cocoa beans through the SF customs, and even when they saw them, they didn't seem to care. They were more concerned about fresh fruit that could carry fruit flies. -Nat ____________________ Nat Bletter, PhD Chocolate R&D Madre Chocolate madrechocolate.com
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Post by gameson on Dec 9, 2012 18:01:47 GMT -5
How do you get customs write you a note or something? I am thinking of purchasing at least 10 kilos of cocoa bean and carry it personally to US customs Thanks. no. I recently researched this since I was going to Costa Rica. I even have it in writing from the Customs people. Cocoa beans are duty free, so you can bring as much as you want for personal use as long as you declare it, since there is a miniscule chance the DOA would want to inspect them for bugs. For 50 grams, I'm not even sure it's worth writing down, but probably better safe than sorry.
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Post by deborah on Dec 12, 2012 0:09:56 GMT -5
I did some research online and found the tariff schedules. They indicated that cacao was duty exempt. I then emailed Customs and Border Protection and asked if there was any kind of limit on the amount and they actually wrote me back, saying no limit if it's for personal use and you declare it. Sorry, but that was sufficiently long ago that I no longer have the email. As it turns out, I didn't even have to use it. Brought back about 15 pounds, declared "cacao" worth $30 (the price I paid) on the form (along with some souvenirs) and no one even asked to see it.
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Post by eanbean on Jan 5, 2013 17:17:00 GMT -5
I always declare when I've brought beans in and have never had a problem.
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