Carrying habushu (snake wine) from Japan to USA
- By
- Aparna Patel
- |
- 20 Jul, 2023
- |
I’ve been bringing back habushu (aka habu awamori) to the US for many years. The brand of habushu I bring back is the exact same one shown in the photo above. The trimeresurus flavoviridis is not listed as an endangered species, so you would be allowed to bring it into the US. It would be wise to keep the scientific name of the snake written down on a piece of paper or on your phone in case you are questioned about it.
Is it OK to carry Habushu into USA?
Answer is from US Customs And Border Protection. You may only be allowed to carry Habushu (snake wine) into USA if it is not listed as an endangered species.
Source:US Customs And Border Protection
Can I bring back snake wine or habu sake from Asia?
While all imports of alcoholic beverages are subject to certain
restrictions, snake wine is also subject to U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service (FWS) regulations.The main concern for bringing snake wine into the U.S. when a snake used in the wine that are endangered species, and therefore
inadmissible.The wine would have to be inspected by an FWS specialist to determine
if the snake was an endangered species. If a FWS inspector is not
available, the wine would be detained until it can be inspected, and
you would be responsible for making arrangements for its forward
shipment if the snake were not an endangered species.
You are also supposed to declare in Custom Declaration From that you are bringing animal wildlife product into USA:
Further please confirm with the vendor in Japan that the snake in that bottle is not listed as an endangered species, otherwise it will be seized by US customs.
Credit:stackoverflow.com‘