Transporting Fruit Between States
 

We will be flying from Florida to California to visit family and have been asked to take some fruit from our tree for a homesick relative. Are there any laws restricting this. I know there are laws with Hawaii in which they don't allow this, but I am not sure how it works in the continental U.S.

If you're driving into California you may encounter a "bug station" where agricultural authorities check for illicit produce.

I've never heard of anyone's checked baggage on airlines being checked for fruit however. I don't know if you'd be allowed to take it into the cabin with you; I suspect not.

Last August I brought a bag of grapes into the Alaska Airlines cabin from SEA to SJC. I was pretty sure they wouldn't allow them through security, but there was no problem.

As far as driving ... I know the agricultural check-point between the Oregon and California border on I-5 is no longer in operation for personal automobiles (not sure about commercial trucks), so maybe there's not a big issue bringing fruit & veggies into the state for personal consumption.

Citrus is prohibited from all states except AZ.

http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/PE/Inte...t_summary.html

It's not enforced for passengers flying from another state, and is basically unenforceable.

Transport of citrus from Florida to California is also prohibited by Federal law (7 CFR 301.75). Summary at http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/pi/chrp...edures2007.pdf

Florida does enforce the law on a somewhat random and sporadic basis.

What sort of fruit can you grow in FL that we don't have in CA? Maybe if it is a specific variety it -

But in general - no, there are MANY fruits you cannot take into CA. If you try to sneak it in and are caught it will be a real hassle - the fruit will be confiscated and your luggage thoroughly searched. Penalties are also possible depending on several factors. All these folks who pooh pooh "it's no big deal" - it is a VERY big deal.

We are very lucky that many of the pests and diseases in other parts of the country have not devastated our crops - YET.

What sort of fruit are you talking about? Check the CA Department of Ag website to see if it is allowed.

Interesting janis. Please tell us where to find this info. I appreciate the need to protect crops - that makes a lot of sense.

I've been flying into CA 6-10 times a year for ages and have never once been told about any restrictions or asked in any way what I was carrying. I'd have thought the airline or some official would have at least once mentioned this non-allowed policy.

Are there ag police at airports checking? How do they do it?

Thanks janisj. Interesting info. Never heard or seen any of this in 20+ yrs of flying into California. It's a shame the State of California does nothing to inform the traveling public of such restrictions.

I wonder if they really ever do anything or even care, or if it's up to private citizens such as yourself to spread the official state info.