CBP warns travelers against bringing prohibited plants for Día de los Muertos

As border communities prepare to celebrate Día de los Muertos, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials reminded travelers Friday to leave certain prohibited plants and produce behind.

The holiday, traditionally celebrated Nov. 1-2, is a time to honor and remember loved ones through colorful altars, meaningful traditions and floral displays. However, CBP prohibits several popular decorations from entering the country, including orange jasmine, also known as Murraya.

While the greenery may look like a fitting addition to an altar, it can carry the Asian citrus psyllid, a small insect capable of spreading citrus huanglongbing, also known as citrus greening, according to the agency.

HLB is one of the most serious citrus diseases worldwide. It affects nearly all citrus varieties and certain ornamental plants. Since researchers first detected HLB in Florida in 2005, the disease has remained incurable, capable of killing citrus trees and reducing production.

Travelers should also note that CBP admits the vibrant yellow and orange marigolds traditionally used in Día de los Muertos memorials only as cut flowers; travelers must not import them for propagation or planting. Additionally, CBP prohibits several fruits, including oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, sour oranges, sweet limes, guavas, mangoes, peaches and pomegranates.

Tomato and pepper plants from Mexico are also prohibited because they may carry the tomato brown rugose fruit virus, which can cause significant damage to domestic crops, the agency stated.

Travelers who fail to declare prohibited agricultural products may face penalties ranging from $500 for personal importations to $250,000 for commercial importations. Declaring agricultural items helps protect American farms, gardens and communities, border officials said.

“This Día de los Muertos, bring your memories and traditions with you, but leave prohibited plants and produce behind. Remember, when in doubt, declare all items,” agency officials stated.