EMI_CHEF: in your case, US customs rules are more relevant that Argentinian ones. You can import one liter of wine duty free. Anything above that needs to be declared and you have to pay duty (which is very low, but the process could be a hassle). All food must be declared. Most meat products are prohibited and will be confiscated (there are dogs trained to sniff them out). Buen viaje and welcome to the land of the free, buddy!
Getting Visitors To Bring In Foodstuffs
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Crema Americana
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Land of the free... 
I would advise against trying to bring in any meat or fruit products into the United States. I once had a humiliating experience in Miami when my mother decided to pack a small piece of jamon serrano and we were caught, hit with a nice fine, and the agents acted like complete assholes.
I believe it's something like a $300 fine for an orange or piece of meat. The good news is I've seen Argentine chorizo in supermarkets in the US. Not sure if it's exactly the same, but might be close enough.
As for Argentine customs... they will confiscate meat products as well. A guy at the airport after arriving from Spain was complaining that they confiscated his jamon. I was so traumatized from my prior experience I didn't even try. However, when my aunt came to visit, she brought me a large bottle of olive oil (store bought) and a large jar of honey (artisan, no label) and didn't have any issues. Sweets and most processed/packaged foods are no issue at all.
I'm not sure exactly what happens if one gets caught, but I think they just confiscate the goods.
I would advise against trying to bring in any meat or fruit products into the United States. I once had a humiliating experience in Miami when my mother decided to pack a small piece of jamon serrano and we were caught, hit with a nice fine, and the agents acted like complete assholes.I believe it's something like a $300 fine for an orange or piece of meat. The good news is I've seen Argentine chorizo in supermarkets in the US. Not sure if it's exactly the same, but might be close enough.
As for Argentine customs... they will confiscate meat products as well. A guy at the airport after arriving from Spain was complaining that they confiscated his jamon. I was so traumatized from my prior experience I didn't even try. However, when my aunt came to visit, she brought me a large bottle of olive oil (store bought) and a large jar of honey (artisan, no label) and didn't have any issues. Sweets and most processed/packaged foods are no issue at all.
I'm not sure exactly what happens if one gets caught, but I think they just confiscate the goods.
Girino
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Land of the free...
Had the same experience in Boston, but dodged the fine by playing dumb tourist. Very humiliating, indeed. And I got very very angry at the stupidity of the people who abide the law without even thinking about it. But well, ain't that the spirits over there?!
wineguy999
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It's really a crap-shoot. We've brought in canned and packaged products from Europe to USA on a regular basis, and I consistently travel from Europe and ARG with multiple bottles of wine - sometimes multiple cases.
Never had anything confiscated or taxed - maybe it's luck, maybe just having the right attitude.
Never had anything confiscated or taxed - maybe it's luck, maybe just having the right attitude.
Girino
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I don't think a dog give a dime about your attitude. That's what spotted my salame, not my face.
Redbeanz
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You may bring back multiple bottles of wine; just declare them and be prepared to spend some time while customs agents decide whether to bother filling out the forms for the minuscule duty they can, but don't have to, charge.
wineguy999
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No dogs were harmed by my smuggling activities. But seriously, folks...I've never experienced the use of dogs when entering the US - only upon exit.
coming in to Argentina I've brought vacuum sealed cheese from the supermarket, pepperjack, monterrey, that sort of thing. Nothing gourmet, but all sealed up, never had an issue.
Going to to the US I always go with at least a couple bottles of wine for my dad, and for my mom homemade jams and candied orange peels made by my mother in law. Never had an issue after 5ish trips with them in my bag.
Going to to the US I always go with at least a couple bottles of wine for my dad, and for my mom homemade jams and candied orange peels made by my mother in law. Never had an issue after 5ish trips with them in my bag.
citygirl
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Coming in here - never had a problem and we bring back tons of stuff. But everything is commercial, not homemade.
Going into the US, never has a problem with wine/yerba, etc. But yeah, bringing in fresh meat and fruit and veggies is a BIG no-no. That's not them being assholes, it's all over the rules and regs. And they do have dogs sniffing luggage in every major airport to check for contraband, including fruits and such.
Going into the US, never has a problem with wine/yerba, etc. But yeah, bringing in fresh meat and fruit and veggies is a BIG no-no. That's not them being assholes, it's all over the rules and regs. And they do have dogs sniffing luggage in every major airport to check for contraband, including fruits and such.
