10 Things That Are Illegal In United States

things that are illegal in the us
Marga
Marga 
Published
| 4 min read

Before traveling, it is essential to know the rules and regulations of a particular country or place you are visiting. Believe it or not, the United States of America, also known as the “land of the free” and one of the most liberated countries on earth, has their own share of dos and don'ts that tourists have to keep in mind when visiting. It’s arguably one of the most visited countries in the world and will likely be on someone’s travel bucket list. So, since it’s one of the world’s top destinations, they’ve needed to place a set of rules to make sure visitors get to tour their country safely and without worry. Among these rules are items you should not bring into the country. To know more, here are the things that are illegal in the United States.

1. Beluga Caviar

Caviar from Siberia
Source: Photo by Flickr user Joey Berzowska used under CC BY 2.0

Found in the Caspian Sea, the world’s largest saltwater lake located in Central Asia, and sometimes also sighted in the Black Sea, north of Turkey, Beluga is a large fish and an endangered animal. For this reason, the United States has banned the importation of its eggs, Beluga Caviar, in 2005. Also known as the “King of Caviar,” Beluga Caviar was largely consumed by people in the United States until they imposed an importation ban due to non-conservation of the fish by the region surrounding the lake.

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2. Brie

Brie de Meaux au marché
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Dinkum used under CC0

It may come as a surprise for some to learn that certain cheeses are not allowed in the United States. One example of this is brie cheese, particularly Brie de Meaux. This variety of brie consists of unpasteurized cow’s milk, which is prohibited by the Food and Drug Administration in the US. This kind of cheese is more prone to catching and spreading bacteria, and the FDA is only looking after the welfare and health of Americans. If you do want to try Brie de Meaux, also known as “King of all Cheeses,” you can do so in France, where it first originated.

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3. Selling of dog hair

Selling of dog hair is not allowed in the US
Source: Pixabay

It’s common to notice that Americans are massive lovers of dogs and cats. It’s no wonder that they imposed The Dog and Cat Protection Act, which bans the import and export of products made with dog and cat fur. You’re not allowed to sell nor transport these products within the country, either. Otherwise, a penalty of up to 10,000 USD could be waiting for you if you get caught. So, the best thing for you to do is leave them unharmed and not profit from these animals.

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4. Haggis

Haggis from Rex
Source: Photo by Flickr user Tim Regan used under CC BY 2.0

If you’re not Scottish, you’ve probably never heard of haggis. It may sound like an animal’s name to some, while to others, it may sound like a unique local item. Haggis is neither of those because it is a Scottish delicacy made of the most exotic thing you could think of - and this is not for the faint-hearted - sheep lungs. It’s not exactly a crowd-favorite, but it’s frequently present at the traditional Burns Night of Scotland. Sadly, in the US, you can’t have authentic haggis because of the possible health risks of exotic food, but you may have alternatives if you want.

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5. Buying and selling of Cuban cigars

Cubano cigar
Source: Photo by Flickr user Tom Gilbert used under CC BY 2.0

The history behind the banning of buying and selling of Cuban cigars in the United States goes way back to the Kennedy administration when JFK imposed sanctions on the communist government of Fidel Castro. Included in these sanctions is the trade of authentic Cuban cigars, which is a favorite among American smokers. More commonly known as the Cuban Trade Embargo, these sanctions had eased through the years until recently when sanctions became stricter again under the Trump administration.

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6. Horse Meat

Horse meat is not allowed in the US
Source: Pixabay

Throughout the course of human history, horses have always been an essential part of daily life. From ancient empires to the colonial eras, horses have been by man’s side, whether for trade, farming, or war times. They’ve also become pets to many people, especially in the United States. Like the United Kingdom, the US has strayed away from consuming horse meat and officially did so in 2007. Today, there are still several states that ban the operation of horse slaughterhouses.

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7. Toy Guns in Las Vegas strip

Toy guns are not allowed in Las Vegas strip
Source: Pixabay

Las Vegas, also known as Sin City, is one of the wildest places on earth where crazy things can happen. So, for the safety of its people and visitors, the city government imposed in 2012 a ban on toy guns, blades, flamethrowers, and other fake firearms, especially in the area of Las Vegas Strip, a densely populated area of tourists. If you get caught with one, you can face up to 6 months in prison, plus you will have to answer to a fine of 1000 USD. That said, the best way to enjoy your trip to Vegas is to follow the laws and stay away from trouble.

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8. Cyclamate

Cyclamate is a kind of chemical that is illegal in the US
Source: Pixabay

Many people may not be familiar with Cyclamate, but for the science geeks out there, you’ll know that it is a kind of chemical compound. It is mainly a type of artificial sweetener, and unfortunately, anything that contains Cyclamate is banned in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The reason behind this imposition is that apparently, the chemical is poisonous to experimental lab rats, and we hate to think what kind of effect it has on human beings.

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9. Buying and selling of Spanish Ham

Buying and selling of Spanish ham is allowed among authorized people only
Source: Pixabay

Sadly, you can’t buy, sell, or bring along with you your favorite Spanish ham while visiting the United States. You can still eat them, though, at certain restaurants that are only specially allowed to import such products. This strange imposition can probably be linked back to the outbreak of African swine fever in Spain. Since then, only authorized establishments are allowed to purchase or sell such a delicacy.

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10. Disfiguring Money

Do not disfigure or tamper with your money
Source: Pixabay

In the United States, the disfiguring and tampering of money is a complicated issue. On the surface, yes, it is illegal to tamper with money according to Title 18, Section 471 of the United States Code, and you can face a penalty of up to 5,000 USD or 15 years in prison or even both. But there may be a slight catch to the mentioned federal law, which all depends on your intentions of disfiguring the money. So, to be on the safe side, don’t attempt to disfigure your money and spend it instead.

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Banned items in the United States

Banned items in the United States
Source: Pixabay

It might seem odd to many people to find out that there is a list of items that are not allowed to be brought into the United States. But after learning about the rationale behind each one, you’ll also come to the conclusion that it does have a justifiable reason, and its common purpose is to protect people, both local and visitors.

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Marga is a self-employed aspiring writer and budding artist from the Philippines. On days she's not writing, she paints and creates art which she later sells at craft bazaars. Marga also has...Read more

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