U.S. Customs and Border Protection Reminds Public Ponche Ingredients are Prohibited from Entry
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Nov 8, 2010, 0 Comments
Courtesy Richard Pauza,
SOUTH TEXAS — Ponche, a traditional Mexican holiday punch, is shared and enjoyed among many families along the Southwest Border during holiday seasons. However the ingredients used to make it, guavas, Hawthorne apples and sugar cane are all illegal when imported across the border. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers and agriculture specialists at the ports are expecting an increase in the attempted importation of the prohibited ingredients through passenger ports.
CBP is advising the public the prohibited items pose significant pest risks. Both the guavas and Hawthorne apples are prohibited, under 7 CFR 319.56, and the sugar cane if imported freshly harvested is prohibited under 7 CFR 319.15.
Leticia Moran, Director of Field Operations, Laredo Field Office, noted that the South Texas ports of entry are expecting an increase in attempts to illegally bring the Ponche ingredients across the border. “I want to remind the public that these products are prohibited and failure to declare them could result in penalties,” he said. “Historically, we’ve seen an increased rate of interception of these items during the holiday seasons.”
Moran further advised that CBP officers and agriculture specialists will be on the lookout for individuals attempting to import these ponche ingredients through the passenger environment and will refer vehicles for secondary inspection that are believed to be transporting these and other prohibited items.
