Just what can I bring home (to the USA)from Italy by way of processed food items, such as cheese, proscuuto, Olive oil, etc? I have researched this some, and still can't get a straight answer, including the US Customs web site. <BR>Have visions of Lucy Ricardo trying to bring home a cheese disguised as a baby. Obviously I don't want to buy anything that will get confiscated. Can understand fresh fruit, etc, but not sure about anything else. Any recent travelers that can shed authoritative light on this subject?

ttt

You can bring cheese but make sure that it won't stink when it gets warm. <BR>Bring olive oil, truffle oil, spices, pastas, wine, honey, lemoncello...

What about Prosciuto or Parma ham? if its kept cold?<BR>

Olive oil? No problema. Anything in a closed bottle (wine, limoncello) is okay. I don't know about the ham. Again if it's packaged, maybe. On your declaration form they ask if you're bringing any food items back into the US (specifically asking about meat & cheeses). You could try. The worst that'll happen is they will confiscate the items.

Nope, no meat, especially if it needs to be refrigerated. Many cheeses (basically, hard ones) are permitted.<BR><BR>This USDA site might be more helpful. Customs might be vague because it's just enforcing rules and regulations from USDA (along with literally dozens of other US agencies):<BR><BR>http://www.aphis.usda.gov/oa/travel.html