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Above: Ponche is a Mexican fruit punch that is popular along the Southwest border during the holidays.
SAN DIEGO — Handmade Mexican wreaths and a Mexican fruit punch will get confiscated at the border if you decide to do some holiday shopping in Mexico. U.S. Customs and Border Protection is warning cross-border travelers to be careful of what they buy.
Officials say cross-border travel goes up significantly during the holiday season because people take advantage of duty-free shops and low prices in Mexico. Others visit family and friends.
But customs officials say they’re on-guard to inspect gifts coming into the U.S. They're specifically on the lookout for hand-crafted Mexican wreaths and other holiday decorations. Officials say many of those gifts are made with hay or straw that might carry insects or diseases.
A traditional Mexican fruit punch called ponche – a drink that’s quite popular this time of year along the Southwest border – will also be confiscated. The drink is made with guavas, Hawthorne apples, and sugar cane -- all of which are banned from the U.S.
As always, any kind of meats, fruits and vegetables could also be confiscated. Any gifts bought from duty-free shops have to be declared.
Officials are asking travelers to leave their gifts unwrapped. They remind travelers that they can search their cars and belongings without a warrant.
Comments
Missionaccomplished | November 30, 2010 at 8:46 a.m. ― 1 year, 5 months ago
Yeah, you never know, one of might just light up and smoke one of those hand-crafted Mexican wreaths.
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Missionaccomplished | November 30, 2010 at 8:51 a.m. ― 1 year, 5 months ago
When I asked one of the CPB inspectors a few months ago why a certain (gasp!) dried soup product-- Knorr Suisa was on display as a banned product, he said to go talk to one of the guys in "Agriculture." Ms. Tintocolis, I think this story merits at least a brief explanation from a CPB spokesperson.
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