Although Puerto Rico has its own government, it is a U.S. territory, and residents and travelers are under the jurisdiction of U.S. federal laws. This means that, for U.S. citizens, the rules and regulations regarding things you can bring home from Puerto Rico are essentially the same as those for traveling between states. If you are not a U.S. citizen, the customs procedures and requirements are the same as they are for the rest of the United States.
There are no special limits on bringing home alcohol from Puerto Rico, but there are restrictions on potted plants as well as fruits and vegetables. While the plantains that are a mainstay of many Puerto Rican dishes may be carried into the mainland U.S., mango and passion fruit may not. There are not necessarily restrictions that prevent you from taking these items from Puerto Rico, but they are not allowed to be brought from Puerto Rico into the contiguous 48 states. Be sure to declare any fruits, vegetables or plants that you are bringing home from Puerto Rico.
The United States Department of Agriculture has set restrictions to prevent the spread of the fruit fly. This is why you can not bring home certain plants, fruits and vegetables from Puerto Rico. Throughout history, and around the world, the fruit fly has caused devastation through lost crops and income. The Mediterranean fruit fly first made its way to Florida in 1929, since then the U.S. government has spent billions and set many restrictions on plants brought from outside the mainland U.S. to protect its crops.
Conducting a little research before you depart Puerto Rico can save a lot of time and hassle. Call the airport before you leave and make sure that none of the restricted items have changed. Occasionally restrictions will change in response to potential threats to crops. Also keep in mind that even though there are not restrictions on bringing home rum or other alcohol from Puerto Rico, you might not be able to carry liquids on board with you if you are traveling by plane.
To learn exactly which things you can bring home from Puerto Rico, contact the U.S. Department of Agriculture at 787-253-4505. Essentially, if the item is a plant, fruit or vegetable, then you should double-check to make sure you can bring it home from Puerto Rico. A publication by the Department of Agriculture notes that all vegetables and fruits are prohibited from being transported from Puerto Rico to the mainland U.S., except for those specifically exempted. Check the link in the "Additional Resource" section to see the list of exempted items.
