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-Editorial
As Mother’s Day weekend approaches, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is reminding travelers of restrictions on bringing flowers and plant materials from Mexico into the United States. With a seasonal increase in floral imports, CBP agriculture specialists warn that certain flowers and greenery can carry pests and diseases that threaten U.S. agriculture.
Flowers such as roses and carnations are typically permitted after inspection, but others—including chrysanthemums—are restricted due to the risk of spreading harmful plant diseases like Chrysanthemum White Rust. Soil from Mexico and plants intended for cultivation are also prohibited unless proper permits are obtained.
CBP specialists inspect all plant materials, often shaking flowers to reveal hidden insects and using magnifying tools to check for diseases. Detected pests are sent to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for identification using advanced technology.
Travelers are required to declare all plants and flowers to CBP officers upon entry. Even fillers in bouquets, such as Murraya (orange jasmine), can harbor invasive species like the Asian citrus psyllid, which threatens citrus crops. If any part of a floral arrangement is contaminated, the entire bouquet may be confiscated.
To avoid penalties and help protect U.S. agriculture, CBP encourages travelers to review the rules at CBP’s agricultural products page and consult the Know Before You Go guide. Real-time border wait times are available online or via the BWT app for Apple and Android devices.