If you’ve ever visited the US, you know how their customs can be. Many people bring various souvenirs from their travels, only to get them confiscated at customs. So, not to be extremely disappointed, it would be wise to know which things you shouldn’t bring back to the US, before going on a trip overseas. Of course, some of the banned things are extremely justified, like guns and drugs, but other times it makes zero sense! But, well, the law is the law, and there’s nothing we can do, except point out how ridiculous some of the banned products are. Let’s go!
Absinthe
You may say “I’ve seen absinthe in the store, stop BS’ing us!” and you would be right, absinthe can be found pretty much anywhere in the US, but it’s not the ultimate psychoactive, hallucinogenic drink it used to be. The “green fairy” effect comes from one of its ingredients: Artemisia absinthium, aka “grand wormwood,” which has been blamed for numerous side effects like hallucinations, muscle spasms and even seizures. This is why you won’t find the “real” absinthe in the US.
Milk
Yup, if you want to drink fresh, unpasteurized milk straight from a cow, you’d need to buy it and drink it before you come home. Almost half of all the states have banned the sale of unpasteurized milk for human consumption. The rest of the world, however, can drink as much unpasteurized milk as they wish.
Casu marzu
Okay, maybe some custom laws aren’t all that stupid. Take casu marzu for example. This cheese from Sardinia, Italy, may sound fun, but I assure you, you’ll never look at cheese the same way ever again. Why not? Casu marzu comes loaded with cheese fly larvae – yum!!!! Yes, you’d potentially be eating live maggots with your the cheese!
Fresh Ackee fruits
What’s so bad about a tiny fruit? Well, this isn’t just any apple or peach, this little fucker’s seeds contain a substance that causes Jamaican Vomiting Sickness. Let’s see if you can figure out the symptoms. And if that still sounds like fun to you, you should know that eating ackee can also lead to seizures, coma and even death. However, this only applies to unripe ackee, but it’s better to ban it completely than deal with the possible consequences.
Dog and Cat Fur Products
This one’s pretty self-explanatory and logical. If you’re trying to get some kitty or puppy furs through the customs… first of all, what the f$%k? Are you thinking?! Second, you’ll probably get arrested. Third I’ll testify against you since I love kittens and puppies.
Kinder Surprise
Ah, the Internet’s favorite dead horse. The US has not allowed importing candies with small toys in them since 1938, and, of course, this also includes Kinder Surprise, which is a hollow chocolate egg with a plastic container inside. I’ve seen those containers, and if anything, they are not a choking hazard by any means. Those things are huge!
Weight Loss Products Containing Ephedra
Ever heard of Ephedra? It was the shizz in the weight loss world until 2004, when the FDA finally banned it. Apparently this stuff caused strokes, heart attacks, and even liver failure! Sure, it was quite effective as a fat burner, but, come on, people would rather have their livers intact than be slim.
Rain Water
As stupid as this may sound, collecting rainwater in America is considered theft. Apparently water companies think that since the rainwater seeps through the ground, it somehow belongs to them. One time, a dude from Oregon spent a whole freaking month in jail, because of this stupid law, so clearly, the government does not take this matter lightly.
