Twitter
Facebook
Heidelberg, Germany — Some vacation souvenirs can get you in big trouble if foreign or U.S. customs inspectors catch you with them. A good place to know before you go is the military customs Web site at www.hqusareur.army.mil/opm/uscustoms.htm.
It is a crime to take many natural products across international borders. Customs can seize the goods and fine you, but worst of all is that buying these products adds to the risk of animals and plants dying out completely.
People vacationing abroad should never buy live animals such as baby tortoises, turtles or birds or live plants such as cacti and orchids. Beluga caviar is another restricted item as are traditional medicines containing ingredients such as tiger bone or rhinoceros horn.
You should also avoid items made from hides, shells, feathers or teeth. “Souvenirs made of tortoise shell, coral, ivory and skins may be openly sold in many countries but they are still illegal,” said Bill Johnson, director of the European Command’s Customs and Border Clearance Agency.
Ivory and whale teeth decorations known as scrimshaw and netsuke are banned. Reptile skins are often used in watchbands, handbags, belts, wallets and shoes. Most crocodile, lizard, snake, and all sea turtle products are prohibited too.
For more information on endangered species issues, contact a military customs office or view the “Facts About Federal Wildlife Laws” pamphlet online at http://library.fws.gov/Pubs9/wildlife_laws.pdf.
