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Mercadona in the suitcase: Man caught trying to enter the US with 9 kilos of undeclared sausages
Incidents
USA

Mercadona in the suitcase: Man caught trying to enter the US with 9 kilos of undeclared sausages

SAPO14 September 2026 at 18:16

A man was intercepted by US authorities at the airport while attempting to bring into the country luggage containing nine kilos of undeclared sausages. The cargo included various types of meat products, such as chorizo, salpicão, pork loin, fuet and linguiça, as well as sausages made with venison. Customs controls in the United States are strict regarding the entry of animal origin products, especially from countries with active health alerts.

The products found were from the Spanish supermarket chain Mercadona, which is widely recognized in Spain for its extensive range of sausages and charcuterie products. The choice of these items suggests that the individual had purchased the products directly in Spanish territory before beginning the journey to the United States.

US customs authorities proceeded with the seizure of all merchandise, which was destroyed in accordance with current health protocols. The entry of meat products from third countries is subject to severe restrictions in the United States, aimed at preventing the introduction of animal diseases into the national territory.

The incident falls within the context of biosecurity measures implemented by the United States to protect the national agricultural sector. The import of meat and derived products without proper declaration and sanitary approval constitutes a serious offense, liable to administrative or even criminal sanctions.

Why this matters

Readers in Portugal may be interested because Spanish products such as Mercadona brand items are frequently purchased during trips to the neighboring country, and this case serves as a warning about the consequences of not declaring food products upon entering the US, where customs violations can result in hefty fines, seizure of goods and even entry bans.

About this summary

This is our short summary of a report published by SAPO on 14 September 2026 at 18:16; the full text stays with the publisher. In our feed it sits under Incidents. We currently carry 25320 items in that section.

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