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Can I take Kona coffee from Hawaii to Washington State?

Can I take Kona coffee from Hawaii to Washington State?

Old Apr 14th, 2010, 10:03 AM
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Can I take Kona coffee from Hawaii to Washington State?

I just want to know if there are any restrictions on taking an agricultural product (Kona coffee beans) through customs.
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Old Apr 14th, 2010, 10:06 AM
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I don't understand. Hawaii is part of the US. Why do you think you will have to go through customs?
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Old Apr 14th, 2010, 10:23 AM
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Maybe customs was the wrong word to use. There are agricultural restrictions, however, certain things you can't bring into Hawaii or into other states FROM Hawaii. I'm not sure if coffee beans are on that list, though.
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Old Apr 14th, 2010, 10:27 AM
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You can take Kona Coffee to any other state.
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Old Apr 14th, 2010, 11:13 AM
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We brought back several different coffees from Kona, and from Kauai with no issue. We even brought back green (unroasted) beans.

When you go through the airport in Hawaii to return to the mainland US, or when you arrive from the mainland, you do go through a special "agricultural inspection" line. So while Peg may not have meant customs, exactly, it feels similar. I can understand why she used the word.
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Old Apr 14th, 2010, 11:59 AM
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Just don't bring any apple maggots.

Yes, you can bring Kona coffee. My girlfriend brings back a ton every time she goes to visit her family.
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Old Apr 14th, 2010, 12:55 PM
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If you tried to bring back a whole coffee plant you might run into issues at agri inspection, but other than that your are stuck buying all your friends & coworkers kona coffee. ABC stores and Longs normally have some 10% kona coffee bags for sale at 2.99 for those not so great 'friends'
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Old Apr 14th, 2010, 06:36 PM
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Peg- are coming to Hawaii soon? GTG?
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Old Apr 14th, 2010, 06:40 PM
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As you've been told you can do it but having done it more than once you might want to check the prices of 100% Kona coffee here on the Mainland before you do this...in some cases you really aren't saving any money
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Old Apr 15th, 2010, 09:06 AM
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Icuy: Not soon. The last week of October on the Big Island and the first week of November on Oahu. I'd love to have a get together. I thought I'd misplaced your address, but found it yesterday and put it in my address book where it won't get lost. I will drop you a note before I leave, but there's plenty of time.

I hope you're doing well. I'm fine, and I'm still gloating over my bargain Arimidex.

Dukey: My coffee company no longer sells Kona. The price I was quoted when they did sell it was about $25 a pound. That sounds exaggerated, but I recall that when I did buy it in the past it was very expensive. I want pure Kona. A pound of regular and a pound of decaf.
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Old Apr 15th, 2010, 09:43 AM
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Found this government website that tells about the agricultural inpsection when one is leaving Hawaii for the mainland. Interesting!

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/pubs/f...ice_hawaii.pdf
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Old Apr 15th, 2010, 10:03 AM
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Coffee is OK. It's an agricultural check (not customs) and they are very strict, but about fresh fruits mostly.
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Old Apr 15th, 2010, 11:47 AM
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outside of Costco in the islands, best price I found was around $20/lb... My local place charges $32 /lb
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Old Apr 15th, 2010, 06:46 PM
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Thanks, everyone, for straightening me out about customs. I meant the agricultural inspection of course, not customs. And thanks for the info.
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Old Apr 15th, 2010, 06:51 PM
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You can take Kona coffee beans as they are processed.

You cannot take unprocessed coffee berries (cherries).

Same with things like breadfruit (ulu). You cannot take it unless it is cooked.
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Old Apr 15th, 2010, 06:55 PM
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You can buy Kona coffee in Washington. It's not any cheaper in Hawaii in my experience.
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