Bringing a Shofar into the U.S. – allowed?
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September 3, 2020 7:15 pm at 7:15 pm #1898394takahmamashParticipant
I am flying to the U.S. next week, and unfortunately will be there thru the chagim. Does anyone know for certain if I am allowed to bring my shofar with me? I am concerned that because it’s an animal product that it may be confiscated at customs. TIA and Shabbat Shalom
September 3, 2020 10:25 pm at 10:25 pm #1898483charliehallParticipantThere is a list of categories of prohibited and restricted items at the Customs and Border Protection web site:
https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/know-before-you-go/prohibited-and-restricted-items
In the potentially prohibited are anything from any wild animal and recommends contacting the Fish and Wildlife Service for information. I did not see non-food domestic animal products listed so if your shofar is from a domestic sheep you may be okay. I know that is is possible to import a shofar because Judaica stores import them but I don’t know what hoops you have to jump through. I bought a ram’s horn shofar just a few weeks ago at West Side Judaica that had just arrived from Israel.
Good luck!!!
Charlie
September 4, 2020 9:14 am at 9:14 am #1898545ubiquitinParticipantTravelers bring animal products all the time, wool sweaters, leather shoes.
September 4, 2020 9:21 am at 9:21 am #1898535takahmamashParticipantThanks Charlie. I bought it 30 years ago in E”Y, so I assume it was made there. I’m going to leave it home, just to be on the safe side.
September 6, 2020 1:24 am at 1:24 am #1898739147ParticipantIt is 1st time in 11 years that you didn’t even need שופר as no תורה based obligation to hear sound of שופר shall be occurring this year.
September 6, 2020 8:53 am at 8:53 am #1898785Sechel HaYasharParticipantYou can bring your shofar. I’ve done it many times. It’s as animal product as your shoes. It’s a musical instrument. I’ve brought my shofar to the US and to countries far stricter than the US. Never have I been questioned.
September 6, 2020 8:57 am at 8:57 am #1898789YW Moderator-29 👨💻Moderator☝🏻 Shalom aleichem, glad you are well
September 6, 2020 10:56 am at 10:56 am #1898817Reb EliezerParticipant147, if what you are saying is correct than how can the chachomim take away the mitzva of shofar?
September 7, 2020 3:01 pm at 3:01 pm #1899167DovidBTParticipantI’ve read that the inspectors on the scene can use their own judgement and confiscate anything. Even if can produce a written document that says you can bring a shofar, they have the authority to take it anyway. And you’d have a hard time ever getting it back.
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