African swine fever (ASF) is a contagious and deadly virus that’s infecting pigs in many countries. It’s harmless to humans, but it can be present in foods made from pork. People can spread the disease by bringing pork or pork products with them when they travel from a country where ASF exists.
ASF hasn’t reached the United States yet—and we want to keep it that way.
You could carry ASF into the United States without knowing. Take these steps to stop the spread:
- Don’t bring foods containing pork with you when you travel.
- When you enter the United States, declare all meats, animals, and animal products to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
- Tell CBP if you have been on a farm, near livestock, or near wild pigs.
- After you return, wait at least 5 days before you visit any animal facility with pigs. This includes farms, livestock markets, zoos, circuses, and pet stores with pot-bellied pigs.
- At the airport, CBP agents may dispose of food containing pork or any meat that looks like pork before you enter the U.S. Mainland or a U.S. Territory.
- This includes homemade dishes, whether they are cooked or frozen.
- These rules apply to items in both your carry-on and checked baggage.
Travelers From Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands
ASF was recently detected in the Caribbean. For this reason, certain pork products are prohibited from transiting between the U.S. Mainland, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. All prohibited products will be confiscated.
USDA prohibits or restricts the entry of many other agricultural products from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands into the U.S. Mainland, including most fresh fruits and vegetables.
Blog
In this edition of our myth busters series, we’re reviewing the rules and regulations on traveling with foods that contain pork and how you can be prepared for your next trip!
At APHIS, we get questions about what we do and the animal diseases we track. Let’s review some of the common misconceptions around African swine fever (ASF) — what it is and how it’s transmitted.
Temperatures are rising, and so are requests for time off! Reports show that more Americans — 53% in 2025, up from 48% in 2024 — are planning to travel this summer.
Resources
Explore these resources to learn more about ASF and how you can stop the spread.
Report Any Signs
Immediately report animals with any signs to State or Federal animal health officials or call USDA for appropriate testing and investigation.
Call USDA at 1-866-536-7593.
