The United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has warned international travellers that bushmeat is strictly prohibited from entering the United States as part of federal regulations aimed at protecting public health, safety, and the country’s plant and animal life.
In an advisory to travellers, the agency urged passengers returning from abroad to review its restricted and prohibited items list to ensure they do not carry goods that could lead to penalties or seizure at ports of entry.
Bushmeat, defined as meat from wild animals hunted in regions including parts of Africa, is explicitly banned under US import laws and is enforced by CBP officers in coordination with agencies such as the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Department of Agriculture, and the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
CBP said prohibited items are those deemed harmful to public health, safety, workers, or domestic ecosystems, or those considered contrary to national interests.
“Sometimes the products that cause injury, or have the potential to do so, may seem fairly innocent. But, as you will see from the material that follows, appearances can be deceiving,” the agency said in its advisory.
The agency warned that bushmeat has been linked to the transmission of diseases, including Ebola, and poses a threat to US agriculture by potentially introducing foreign animal diseases that could devastate livestock populations.
CBP distinguishes between prohibited and restricted items, noting that prohibited goods are completely barred from entry, while restricted items require special permits from federal agencies.
Examples of prohibited items include bushmeat, dangerous toys, certain unsafe vehicles, and illegal substances such as absinthe and Rohypnol. Restricted items include firearms, some fruits, and vegetables, animal products, and certain live animals.
The agency advised travellers to consult its guidelines before travelling abroad, noting that CBP officers at ports of entry enforce hundreds of federal laws on behalf of multiple government agencies.
Travellers who attempt to bring bushmeat into the United States risk seizure of the items and possible penalties, the agency warned.
The advisory is particularly relevant for travellers from West African countries, where bushmeat is more commonly consumed and sometimes carried for personal or cultural use.
When traveling into the U.S., please note that bushmeat is prohibited to bring into the country. Before you come back from your trip abroad, check CBP’s restricted items list about the items you plan to bring back. ➡️ https://t.co/02J14VASbn pic.twitter.com/xUXZwpKccR
— CBP (@CBP) June 3, 2026
