More foreign items seized at border during holiday

Customs: More foreign fruits, vegetables, meats seized at Canadian border during holidays

ST. ALBANS, Vt. (AP) -- U.S. Customs and Border Protection says it seizes higher quantities of foreign fruits, vegetables, meats and animal and plant products coming into United States from Canada during the holiday season.

Officials are warning travelers in the northeast that certain items from foreign countries are restricted or prohibited and may carry foreign pests and diseases that could damage American crops, livestock and the environment.

Travelers are asked to contact a CBP office about the items before crossing the border.

They also may check the border wait times on the CBP web site at CBP.gov and are advised to pick less congested routes. Officials say for example travelers may want to use the less heavily traveled Beecher Falls border station during the holiday instead of crossing the Derby Line border. .