U.S. Customs Prohibited Items: What Commercial Importers Can’t Ship

The U.S. customs prohibited items list covers goods that cannot legally be imported into the United States for commercial entry. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) blocks some goods outright, while partner government agencies restrict other goods unless the importer has the required permit, license, registration, or prior notice. Before shipping commercial goods to the United States, importers should confirm whether the product is prohibited or restricted and which agency regulates it.

What Items Are Prohibited or Restricted by U.S. Customs?

Goods that are commonly prohibited from import include counterfeit products, certain wildlife and plant products, some defense-related articles imported without authorization, and merchandise barred by sanctions or federal law. 

Other goods are restricted rather than prohibited, which means they may be imported only after the importer obtains approval from the correct agency.

The graphic below summarizes the main categories of prohibited and restricted imports.

What Is the Difference Between Prohibited and Restricted Imports?

Prohibited items cannot be imported into the United States under current federal law or agency rules. Restricted items can be imported legally, but only if the importer meets the requirements of the agency that regulates them, such as obtaining a permit, license, registration, or prior notice.

The table below shows the difference between prohibited and restricted imports.

CBP and other U.S. agencies commonly restrict or prohibit the following categories of imports:

Commonly Prohibited Imports:

• Counterfeit trademark goods
• Copyright-infringing goods
• Dog and cat fur
• African bushmeat and related products
• Most endangered animal products
• Merchandise barred by sanctions or embargoes
• Some defense-related goods imported without authorization

Commonly Restricted Imports

• Alcoholic beverages
• Firearms and firearm parts
• Biological materials
• Food and beverages
• Fruits and vegetables
• Plants and seeds
• Soil
• Medication and medical devices
• Wildlife, hunting trophies, and cultural property
• Vehicles and engines
• Radio frequency devices

For example, many plants imported into the United States require a permit from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS).

Which Goods Are Effectively Prohibited for Most Commercial Importers?

Goods that are effectively prohibited for most importers include certain wildlife-based products and goods that violate U.S. intellectual property laws.

Animal- and Wildlife-Based Goods That Are Prohibited

CBP prohibits certain wildlife-based goods from entering the United States, including:

• African bushmeat and associated products
• Most endangered animals and products made from them

USDA APHIS also restricts or prohibits certain endangered plants and plant products, including species such as true rosewood.

Counterfeit and Intellectual Property-Infringing Goods

Goods that violate federally registered trademarks or protected copyrights cannot be imported into the United States. CBP actively enforces intellectual property rights and seizes merchandise that infringes trademarks, copyrights, and related protections.

The table below shows selected product categories CBP seized for intellectual property rights violations in 2024, along with their combined manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP):

Intellectual property rules apply whether an infringing product was imported intentionally or by mistake. Importers should vet suppliers carefully to avoid purchasing goods that CBP may detain, seize, or refuse at the port of entry.

Defense and Military Articles Imported Without Authorization

Some defense and military articles require registration, licensing, permits, or other authorization before they can be imported into the United States. These articles are identified in the United States Munitions List.

Which Goods Are Restricted and Require PGA Approval Before Import?

Partner government agencies (PGAs) regulate certain imports that may raise safety, health, environmental, or trade-compliance concerns. The agencies below oversee common restricted product categories and may require importers to obtain permits, licenses, registrations, prior notices, or other approvals before shipment.

Keep in mind, the commodities in the right column aren’t exhaustive. You should always check to determine whether your goods are subject to the requirements of the PGAs we’ve listed. 

Which Countries, Regions, and Parties Are Subject to U.S. Sanctions?

OFAC sanctions programs restrict or prohibit certain imports and other transactions involving specific countries, regions, entities, and individuals. The exact restrictions depend on the sanctions program, the product type, the parties involved, and whether a license or exception applies.

Importers should review the current sanctions program and parties involved before proceeding with the transaction:

• Russia
• North Korea
• Iran
• Cuba
• The Luhansk, Crimea, and Donetsk regions of Ukraine

Other jurisdictions may be subject to targeted sanctions that affect specific entities, sectors, or transactions rather than all trade. Importers should screen new suppliers and counterparties against OFAC’s Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN) List  and other restricted-party lists before shipping.

Even when a country is not subject to comprehensive sanctions, a specific company or individual involved in the transaction may still be blocked or restricted.

How Can Commercial Importers Check Compliance Before Shipping?

Before shipping commercial goods to the United States, importers should use the following checklist to confirm that the shipment complies with CBP and partner agency requirements:

1. Confirm the product is not prohibited from import into the United States.
2. Determine whether the product is restricted rather than prohibited.
3. Identify the correct HTS code for the goods.
4. Verify the product’s country of origin.
5. Screen the supplier, manufacturer, buyer, and other parties against relevant sanctions and denied-party lists.
6. Check whether the product requires approval from a PGA.
7. Obtain any required permits, licenses, registrations, or prior notices before shipment.
8. Confirm the goods meet applicable labeling, testing, packaging, and safety requirements.
9. Review whether the shipment includes any counterfeit, trademark-infringing, or copyright-violating goods.
10. Verify that the goods do not contain prohibited wildlife, plant materials, or animal-derived components.
11. Confirm the declared value, quantity, and product description are accurate.
12. Review the commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, and entry data for consistency.
13. Check whether the Importer of Record (IOR) is properly set up and able to file the entry.
14. Confirm whether the shipment needs any special declarations or certificates.
15. Review current CBP and agency rules in case requirements changed recently.
16. Ask a licensed customs broker or trade compliance specialist to review the shipment before departure.

If you are unsure about any of these steps, a licensed customs broker can review the shipment, identify documentation gaps, and help determine whether the goods meet CBP and PGA requirements.

Need Help Reviewing a Restricted or Prohibited Import Shipment?

A Licensed Customs Broker can review your shipment for prohibited goods, identify restricted items that require agency approval, and help you confirm that the necessary permits, licenses, or notices are in place before import. Give us a call at (855) 912-0406 to learn more about how we can help your business’s importing efforts. You can also reach out to us on our contact page. 

Sources:

Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works, WIPO, 1986

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, APHIS/USDA

Title 22 Part 121 - The United States Munitions List, CFR

Office of Foreign Assets Control, OFAC/U.S. Department of the Treasury

Specially Designated Nationals (SDNs) and the SDN List, OFAC/U.S. Department of the Treasury