K A S H R U T . C O M_©

October 15, 2024: Guidelines for Bringing Arba Minim into Canada from the MK is here

October 9, 2024 from Chaim V'Chesed:

"With Sukkos fast approaching, many travelers have raised questions regarding the transport of Arba Minim. In response, Chaim V’Chessed reached out to the office of Israel’s Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Moshe Abutbul, to clarify the ministry’s current rules for passengers arriving at Ben Gurion Airport.

"Ministry officials explained that travelers are permitted to bring one esrog for personal use. However, the other three minim – lulav, hadassim, and aravos – are prohibited from being imported into Israel. Any such items found during inspections will be confiscated. To mitigate the inconvenience, the Agriculture Ministry has assured travelers that confiscated sets will be replaced with a new set of Arba Minim, free of charge. At Chaim V’Chessed’s behest, the Ministry published updated guidelines for 2024, available here.

"For those traveling to the United States for Sukkos, the TSA and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have issued specific guidelines for transporting Arba Minim. Rabbis Ariel Sadwin and A.D. Motzen of Agudath Israel of America have issued recommendations based on these guidelines, to help travelers avoid complications at U.S. airports."

Information and links from Aguda.

• For the TSA notice, click here.
• For the CBP notice, click here.
• For the Agudah Handout, click here.

"The notifications, which have been sent out to federal officials at airports and border crossings, emphasize the religious significance of these items and outline the rules and procedures that would help allay possible security and health issues that are of concern to the federal government. Prior to these agency steps, lack of familiarity regarding Sukkos and the arba minim had led to numerous incidents each year of inadvertent mishandling and mistreatment — including denial of entry — of these ritual objects.

"The TSA Notice makes clear that the arba minim carried in airports, through security checkpoints or on aircraft, are not on the “prohibited items list” and provides instructions for travelers needing “special accommodations” in regard to checkpoint screening. The CBP Guidance sets forth detailed information regarding the inspection process for personal sets of arba minim brought into the United States from foreign countries at select ports of entry and points out that the agency is 'committed to treating all travelers, including travelers who may be observing Sukkot, with respect and dignity at all U.S. ports of entry.'

"For travelers entering Israel: You will be allowed to bring in one esrog for personal use. The other 3 minim are not allowed and will be confiscated and replaced with Israeli grown produce. "