Bringing Your Wedding Bouquet Back From Mexico: Is It Possible?

If you're planning to bring your wedding bouquet back from Mexico, there are a few things you should know. Firstly, certain types of flowers, such as chrysanthemums, gladiolas, and orange jasmine, are prohibited from being brought into the US through passenger ports of entry. On the other hand, roses, carnations, and most other flowers are generally allowed after passing inspection. It's important to declare all flowers and plants to customs officials, and they may be confiscated if they pose a risk to US agriculture. To avoid this, some couples choose to find a preservation artist in Mexico to create a keepsake from their bouquet, or they opt for a replica bouquet to be made by a florist instead.

Restrictions on bringing flowers from Mexico to the US

If you're planning on bringing your wedding bouquet back from Mexico, there are a few restrictions and guidelines you need to be aware of. Firstly, it is important to understand that certain agricultural products, including flowers, are restricted or prohibited from entering the United States due to the potential presence of foreign pests and diseases that could harm American agriculture and the environment.

When entering the United States from Mexico, you must declare all agricultural products, including flowers, on your U.S. Customs forms. This declaration must include all items carried in checked baggage, carry-on luggage, or in a vehicle. Chrysanthemums, gladiolas, and orange jasmine from Mexico are prohibited through passenger ports of entry, so arrangements with these flowers cannot be brought into the country through border crossings.

Roses, carnations, and most other flowers are generally allowed into the U.S. after passing inspection. However, plants potted in soil are prohibited. Cut flowers and greenery must be presented to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the first port of entry for inspection. If harmful pests or diseases are found, or if the flowers do not meet entry requirements, they may be refused entry.

To avoid any issues, it is recommended to keep receipts and original packaging as proof of the flowers' country of origin. Additionally, be prepared for the possibility that your bouquet may be confiscated if any portion of it is found to have pests, even if it contains permitted flower varieties.

One suggestion to preserve your wedding bouquet is to find a preservation artist in Mexico and mail the bouquet to them domestically. They can create a piece of art with the flowers, such as resin art or dried flower shadow boxes, which can then be mailed to you. Alternatively, you can leave your bouquet in Mexico and find a preservation artist in the U.S. who can work with a replica bouquet.

How to declare flowers at US customs

If you're bringing flowers back from Mexico, it's important to know how to declare them at US Customs to avoid any issues or fines. Here are some detailed instructions on how to do this:

Know the Rules

Before your trip, familiarise yourself with the rules regarding bringing flowers into the US from Mexico. The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) website has clear guidelines on what is allowed and what is prohibited. It's important to understand these regulations to ensure you don't unintentionally break any rules.

Declare Your Flowers

Upon your return to the US, you must declare your flowers to a CBP Agriculture Specialist or Officer. This is a crucial step, as failing to declare agricultural items can result in fines and penalties. Be transparent and honest about the flowers you are bringing into the country.

Inspection

The CBP Agriculture Specialist or Officer will inspect your flowers to ensure they meet the entry requirements and do not pose a risk of introducing harmful pests or diseases. This inspection process is standard and applies to all travellers bringing agricultural products into the country.

Be Prepared for Possible Refusal

Even if you declare your flowers and follow all the necessary steps, there is a chance that the CBP officer may still refuse entry of your flowers into the country. This decision is at the discretion of the inspecting officer and is based on their assessment of the potential risk to American agriculture and the environment.

Keep Receipts and Original Packaging

It is recommended that you keep any receipts and original packaging for your flowers. This documentation can help prove the country of origin and may be useful if there are any questions or concerns during the inspection process.

Understand Prohibited Items

Be aware that certain flowers, plants, and plant parts may be prohibited from entering the US. For example, plants in soil are generally prohibited. If you are unsure about a specific type of flower or plant, it is best to check the CBP website or contact the CBP directly for clarification.

Consider Alternative Options

If you want to preserve your wedding bouquet as a keepsake, consider alternative options such as finding a preservation artist in Mexico or the US. You can also create a replica bouquet from a florist or extract individual flowers from the bouquet to place between book pages, as suggested by some travellers.

Tips for preserving flowers

There are several ways to preserve flowers, each with its pros and cons. Here are some of the most common methods:

Air Drying

Air drying is the simplest way to preserve flowers since it does not require any special equipment besides some string. This method works best for flowers with sturdy stems, such as baby's breath, money plant, statice, and strawflowers. Remove any foliage from the stems and cut them to the desired length. Then, tie the stems together and hang the flowers upside down in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated place for 3-4 weeks until they are completely dry. Once dried, you can spray the flowers with unscented hairspray to protect them and prevent crumbling.

Pressing

Pressing flowers is a simple and quick method that has been used for centuries. It involves placing flowers between the pages of a heavy book to squeeze out all the moisture. This technique works best for flower petals or flat-faced blooms, such as violets, daisies, pansies, and zinnias. Cut the stems short enough to fit inside the book, and sandwich the flowers between sheets of paper. Place the book in a safe place for 2-4 weeks until the flowers are fully pressed and dry.

Silica Gel or Fine Sand

This method involves covering flowers with silica gel or fine sand to absorb moisture. It is suitable for flowers with large blooms or multiple petals, such as violets, roses, tulips, dahlias, and mums, as other drying methods may cause the blooms to shrivel. Place the flowers in a container filled with silica gel or sand, completely covering the petals. Leave the flowers for about a week if using silica gel or 2-3 weeks if using sand. Then, carefully remove them from the drying agent.

Microwave Drying

Microwave drying is a quick way to preserve flowers by drawing out moisture. It works best for individual petals or flat-faced flowers like daisies. Sandwich the flowers between non-patterned paper towels or coffee filters and place them in the microwave with a heavy, microwave-safe dish on top to weigh them down. Run the microwave on low or defrost in short intervals until the flowers are dry, typically 1-4 minutes.

Wax Dipping

Wax dipping is a temporary preservation method suitable for flowers that typically die within a few days of cutting, such as camellias. Heat wax and mineral oil in a wok until it reaches the right temperature, then drag the flower through the wax in a smooth motion. Plunge the flower into ice water and let it dry completely.

Glycerin and Water Solution

Soaking flowers in a glycerin and water solution helps preserve flexible stems that can be used for wreaths or garlands. This method works best for flowers with mature leaves, such as magnolia, mistletoe, boxwood, camellia, and rhododendron. Mash the ends of the stems and place them in the solution for 2-3 weeks, or until the foliage turns golden brown.

Epoxy Resin

Epoxy resin is a permanent way to preserve flowers, but it requires pre-drying the blooms. Wear protective gear and follow the manufacturer's instructions for mixing and curing the resin. Arrange the dried flowers in a mold, adding beads or sequins if desired. Pour in the resin, pop any air bubbles, and let it cure for 24-48 hours before removing the preserved flowers from the mold.

Freeze-Drying

Freeze-drying involves placing flowers in a refrigerated chamber, lowering the temperature just below freezing, and removing all air from the chamber. As the flowers warm back up, they will dry out. This method requires expensive equipment, so it is typically done by professional florists.

Flowers prohibited from being brought into the US

It is possible to bring your wedding bouquet back from Mexico to the US, but there are restrictions on the types of flowers you can bring. Some flowers are prohibited from entering the US through passenger ports of entry, such as chrysanthemums, gladiolas, and orange jasmine. These flowers are prohibited because they can carry pests or diseases that could harm American agriculture and the environment. For example, orange jasmine is a host for Asian citrus psyllid, a dangerous pest of citrus.

Upon arrival in the US, all flowers and plants must be declared to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers and are subject to inspection. If any portion of a bouquet has pests, the entire bouquet will be confiscated. To avoid fines and delays, it is important to declare all agricultural items, even if you are unsure if they are allowed. If prohibited items are not declared, they will be confiscated and disposed of, and civil penalties may be assessed.

In addition to flowers, there are restrictions on bringing plants, seeds, fruits, vegetables, meats, and other agricultural products into the US. Plants in soil, for example, are prohibited. If you are bringing plants, they must be bare-rooted and free of pests and diseases, and you must have a phytosanitary certificate from the country you are leaving.

To ensure that your wedding bouquet complies with all regulations, it is recommended to research the specific requirements for bringing flowers into the US from Mexico and to declare all items upon arrival.

What to do if flowers are confiscated

If your flowers are confiscated, it is likely because they are prohibited from entering the country. Flowers such as chrysanthemums, gladiolas, and orange jasmine from Mexico are prohibited from entering the US through passenger ports of entry. This is to prevent funguses like "Chrysanthemum White Rust" and "Gladiolus Rust" from entering the country and harming the agricultural industry. If any portion of a bouquet has pests, the entire bouquet will be confiscated.

If your flowers are confiscated, it is important to remain calm and polite. Ask the customs officer why your flowers have been confiscated. They will likely explain that the flowers are prohibited from entering the country due to the risk of introducing pests or diseases. You may also ask for clarification on the rules and regulations regarding bringing flowers into the country, so you are better informed for future reference.

It is important to remember that the customs officers are just doing their job and enforcing the regulations put in place to protect the country's agriculture. Arguing with them is unlikely to change their decision and may only make the situation more difficult.

Instead, you could consider other ways to preserve your wedding bouquet. For example, you could remove individual flowers from the bouquet and place them between the pages of a book to press them. Alternatively, you could have a painting made of your bouquet, or have a replica bouquet created by a florist to preserve as a keepsake.

If you are concerned about the potential confiscation of your wedding bouquet, it may be best to avoid bringing it with you and instead find a preservation artist in Mexico or the US to create a lasting memento of your special day.

Frequently asked questions