US Customs for World Cup 2026 — What You Can Bring

Every international visitor to the United States passes through US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on arrival. Understanding what you can and cannot bring saves time, avoids fines, and prevents the confiscation of items at the border. For World Cup 2026 visitors, here is a clear guide to US customs rules.

Customs Declaration

All international visitors must complete a customs declaration form (CBP Form 6059B) before arriving. This can be done:

• On the plane: Paper forms are distributed during the flight
• At airport kiosks: Automated Passport Control (APC) kiosks at major airports
• Mobile app: The CBP One app allows you to complete the declaration digitally

The form asks you to declare:

• Items you are bringing into the US
• Agricultural products (food, plants, animals)
• Currency amounts over $10,000
• Commercial merchandise
• Items purchased abroad that you are bringing as gifts

Critical rule: Always declare. If customs officers find undeclared items, you face fines and potential criminal charges. If you are unsure whether something needs to be declared, declare it anyway. The worst that happens is they clear it.

Duty-Free Allowances

International visitors can bring the following items duty-free:

Personal Exemption ($800):

• Up to $800 worth of merchandise purchased abroad (for personal use or gifts)
• Items above $800 are subject to duty (typically 3-10% depending on the item)

Alcohol (adults 21+ only):

• 1 liter duty-free
• Additional quantities subject to duty and state/local taxes
• Remember: US drinking age is 21, strictly enforced nationwide

Tobacco:

• 200 cigarettes (1 carton) OR 100 cigars duty-free
• Additional quantities subject to duty

Gifts:

• Gifts valued under $100 each can be sent to US addresses duty-free
• Gifts carried in person count toward your $800 exemption

Prohibited Items

These items are completely banned from entry to the US:

• Illegal drugs of any kind (including marijuana, which is illegal federally regardless of state laws)
• Weapons: Firearms, ammunition, explosives (without specific permits)
• Counterfeit goods: Fake jerseys, watches, handbags bearing brand logos
• Cuban cigars (for most visitors; some exceptions for personal quantities from Cuba)
• Certain cultural artifacts: Items protected under UNESCO conventions
• Hazardous materials: Fireworks, certain chemicals
• Dog and cat fur products
• Products from embargoed countries (check current US sanctions list)

Counterfeit jerseys note: If you are bringing fake team jerseys or branded goods, customs can confiscate them. Genuine merchandise is fine.

Restricted Items

These items are allowed with restrictions:

Medications:

• Prescription medications: bring in original labeled containers with doctor’s prescription
• Over-the-counter medications: reasonable personal quantities
• Some medications legal in other countries are controlled in the US (e.g., codeine-containing products, certain sleeping pills). Check before travel.

Food items: (see detailed section below)

Currency: No limit, but $10,000+ must be declared

Electronics: No restrictions on personal electronics (phones, laptops, cameras)

Alcohol from duty-free: Must be in sealed duty-free bags from the airport shop. Do not open until you have cleared customs.

Food and Agricultural Items

The US takes agricultural border control very seriously to prevent disease and pest introduction. Rules are strict:

Generally ALLOWED:

• Packaged/processed foods (chips, cookies, candy, chocolate)
• Canned goods
• Hard cheeses
• Bread and bakery items
• Condiments (mustard, ketchup, hot sauce)
• Roasted coffee and tea
• Spices (commercially packaged)

Generally PROHIBITED:

• Fresh fruits and vegetables
• Fresh meat, poultry, and pork
• Eggs
• Soft cheeses
• Soil or plants
• Seeds (most types)
• Live animals or insects

Varies by country of origin:

• Cured meats (like jamon, salami) — depends on country and disease status
• Dairy products — some allowed, some not
• Rice — generally allowed in small personal quantities

The safest approach: Eat perishable food before landing. If you must bring food items, declare everything and let the CBP agriculture inspector decide. Undeclared agricultural items result in fines starting at $300 for the first offense.

The Customs Process

Here is what happens when you arrive at a US airport:

1. Immigration: You go through passport control (ESTA or visa check, interview, biometrics)
2. Baggage claim: Collect your checked luggage
3. Customs declaration: Present your completed form or digital declaration
4. Customs screening: Most visitors pass through quickly. Some are selected for additional screening (random or flagged).
5. Agricultural screening: If you declared food items, you may be directed to an agriculture inspector
6. Exit: Once cleared, you enter the arrivals hall

Time estimate: Immigration + customs typically takes 30-90 minutes at major US airports. During the World Cup, expect longer waits as large numbers of international visitors arrive simultaneously.

Global Entry/NEXUS: If you have Global Entry (US) or NEXUS (US-Canada), you can use expedited lanes. These programs require pre-approval but significantly reduce wait times.

Understanding US customs rules before you arrive ensures a smooth entry. Declare everything, leave prohibited items at home, and arrive with patience. The World Cup awaits on the other side of the customs hall.