You've fallen for Icelandic food and want to take some home. The question every traveler asks at the airport: what will U.S. customs actually let through?
The short answer is that most packaged Icelandic snacks and treats are fine, a few things aren't and one rule matters more than all the others.
This guide summarizes U.S. government guidance as of October 2026. Rules change, so check the official sources linked at the end before you fly.
The one rule: declare everything
When you enter the U.S., you must declare all food and agricultural products to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), on the paper form or in the app.
Here's the part most people don't know. According to the USDA, if you declare everything, you won't face penalties even if an item turns out not to be allowed. The inspector will just take it. If you don't declare and they find it, you can be fined.
So declare the dried fish, the chocolate and the cheese. Declaring is free. Not declaring isn't.
What you can bring, item by item
| Item | Can you bring it? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dried fish | Generally yes | The USDA doesn't regulate most seafood brought in by travelers. Declare it. |
| Smoked or canned fish | Generally yes | Same as above. Keep vacuum-packed fish cold. |
| Hard and soft cheese | Yes | Solid cheese is allowed from any country if it contains no meat and isn't liquid. |
| Butter | Yes | Allowed from any country. |
| Skyr and other dairy | It depends | Not specifically listed. Bring the package label and receipt, and expect questions. It's perishable anyway, so eat it in Iceland. |
| Lamb, including smoked lamb | Usually no | The USDA doesn't let travelers bring back most sheep meat unless strict country and paperwork conditions are met. Leave it. |
| Chocolate and licorice | Generally yes | Commercially packaged candy is generally fine. |
| Sea salt | Yes | Declare it like any food. |
| Alcohol | Yes, with limits | One liter duty-free per adult 21 and over. More is allowed but may be subject to duty and tax. |
Packing tips
Liquids. Alcohol bottles must go in checked luggage, because the 3.4 oz (100 ml) carry-on limit still applies. Wrap bottles in clothes or a padded bottle sleeve.
Duty-free on connecting flights. If you buy alcohol at Keflavík duty-free and connect to another U.S. flight, you'll go through security again after customs. Be ready to move bottles into your checked bag at that point.
Dried fish. It's light and flat, so it packs easily. Put it in a zip-top bag so the smell doesn't reach your clothes.
Keep receipts and labels. For dairy especially, the original packaging and a receipt help show where the product came from.
Common questions
Do I need to declare a bag of candy? Yes. Declare all food. It takes ten seconds and protects you from penalties.
Can I bring skyr home in my suitcase? It's not clearly addressed in USDA guidance, and it needs refrigeration. Even if it's allowed, it probably won't survive the trip. Enjoy it while you're in Iceland.
Can I mail food home from Iceland? Shipped food goes through different import rules from what you carry in your luggage, and commercial shipments have their own requirements. Carrying it is simpler.
What happens if I forget to declare something? If it's found, it can be confiscated and you can be fined. If you realize at the inspection, tell the officer right away.
The easier option
The real problem with bringing dried fish home is that one suitcase only holds so much, and it's gone in a week.
That's why we're making HardFish: wind-dried Icelandic cod with nothing added but salt, about 84% protein, sold in the U.S. so you don't need a suitcase. Join the founding list and we'll tell you when it launches.