As the community along the United States-Mexico border prepares for the Day of the Dead celebrations, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials are informing travelers about specific agricultural items commonly used in these festivities that are not allowed entry into the United States. These items have the potential to harbor harmful pests and diseases, including citrus greening disease.

Citrus greening, also known as Huanglongbing (HLB) or yellow dragon disease, is a bacterial disease that can affect almost all varieties of citrus and some ornamental plants, including orange jasmine. If left unchecked, this pathogen poses a serious threat to the U.S. citrus industry. The first detection of this harmful plant disease occurred in 2005 in Miami-Dade County, Florida. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Huanglongbing is among the most severe citrus diseases worldwide. Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for this disease, which causes citrus trees to die and significantly reduces citrus production.

Many border communities celebrate Day of the Dead by creating altars or memorials to honor deceased loved ones or notable figures. The most commonly used flowers for these monuments are vibrant yellow and orange marigolds, along with ornamental greenery such as Murraya or orange jasmine. Murraya is a host plant for the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, an insect that can carry the bacteria causing Huanglongbing and therefore is prohibited from entering the U.S.

The banned citrus fruits include oranges, grapefruits, tangerines, sour oranges, and sweet limes. Additionally restricted are other commonly enjoyed fruits such as guavas, mangoes, peaches, and pomegranates.

Besides these fruits, importing tomato and pepper plants from Mexico is prohibited. This restriction was implemented in November 2019 to help prevent the spread of tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV), which can cause severe fruit loss in tomato and pepper crops.

Failing to declare prohibited agricultural items may result in fines ranging from $500 for personal importation up to $250,000 for commercial importation.

Travelers seeking more information on how they can protect America's agricultural industry should consult documents like "Bringing Food into U.S." and web pages like “Can I Bring It?” located at:

1. Travel – For International Visitors – Bringing Food into U.S.– (cbp.gov)

2. Can I Bring It? - Don't Pack a Pest! Traveler's Campaign | DPI - FDACS (dontpackapest.com)

Follow CBP's San Diego Field Office Director at @DFOSanDiegoCA for breaking news updates on current events as well as human interest stories and photographs.

"U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is America's frontline: the nation's largest law enforcement organization and world's first unified border management agency," reads a statement about CBP's mission to protect America through safe travel facilitation while ensuring economic prosperity by enhancing security through innovation.

A complete list of local and regional CBP social media accounts is available online.