Importing Coca Tea From Peru to United States, or to Australia or the United Kingdom? Have you considered it?
Below is an import guide on how to import coca leaf powder, coca candy and tea bags from South America.
PACKING COCA TEA PRODUCTS IN A SUITCASE, CARRY-ON OR LUGGAGE
Just so you know, whole coca leaves, coca leaf powder and tea bags are only legal within South America. In the USA, Canada, the United Kingdom, Europe and Australia, coca leaf products are considered as a controlled substance.
However, no person has ever been charged with importing or possessing coca tea bags or the leaf powder. At least not small amounts.
It is highly likely though that when you try and bring back with you a few packets of whole coca leaves or some “harina de coca”, the Customs will seize it at the US or the Australian border. That will be the end of the story for most importers. It really depends on your destination country, the Customs official and how much coca tea you have in your luggage.
Some Customs officials are nicer than others, so it really depends on your luck. Importing coca tea from Peru to United States is all about how lucky you are.
You may get to keep all of your coca tea if you get a nice enough Customs official. However, there will be others who will not be so kind and may seize your leaf powder. They may possibly caution or even fine you for not declaring it. It really depends on the day but it’s best that you can see the whole picture.
Customs have an important job to do and rightly so, they protect our borders and are highly trained to do their job right.
Drug Field Test Kits & Dog Detection at Airports
As far as drug testing and field test kits go, these work great to detect the common illicit drugs and pharmaceuticals. However, when it comes to coca tea, these tests simply do not work. The reagents in these drug test kits will not react with any coca tea product. This is because the reagents in these kits were designed only to work with purified drugs, not super foods such as coca tea.
As far as the modern testing technology goes, there is nothing available for Customs officials to test coca tea in order to identify it. If Customs were really suspicious about the imported goods, then they would need to send off the parcel for a full spectrum analysis. This is time consuming and costly and is not worth it for most border officials. If the border patrol is having doubts, they would simply seize the imported coca leaf powder and send you on your way with a warning.
What About Airport Dogs?
And if you are worried about working Customs dogs at the airport picking up a scent trail from your coca tea bags, then you have nothing to worry about. Several years ago, I have personally spilled some coca leaf powder all over my jeans at a major airport in Australia. Soon afterwards, a few customs officials were walking past with a Customs dog.
The pooch was wearing a work west and all, and being a dog lover, I approached the beagle and proceeded to pet it. The dog showed absolutely zero reaction to my presence. This dog was all about self control and focus. My coca leaf scent was as interesting to this dog as watching the paint dry. He showed zero interest in me, but the Customs staff did let me pet him, which was nice of them.
This all comes down to one main thing. Coca tea is nothing like the white, purified substance that is Coke. It looks nothing like it, the tests can’t detect nothing with it, and even dogs are not interested in looking for it. The little blue reagent test will not work on the powdered coca leaf. It will still remain green, it will not magically turn blue inside the beaker.
Coca Tea is a Natural Superfood
And don’t forget one important distinction importing coca tea from Peru to United States. Coca leaf powder is a natural, energy boosting superfood that people have used for thousands of years, safely. Coca leaf contains over 14 natural alkaloids that work synergistically together. It is not addictive not does it cause any health problems.
The white powdered Coke is a highly processed, often adulterated with other dangerous chemicals and causes a great deal of mental addiction. It’s bad for your health and has been linked to people getting seriously addicted and sick or even worse.
How To Safely Pack Coca Tea in Luggage
1) Use a Herbal Label Instead of Coca Leaf
The easiest and most efficient method to disguise your coca leaf contraband in your luggage is to label it as something else. Green tea bags, Matcha green tea powder, Moringa powder, they all work well. Simply repack your coca tea bags or powder into one of the above and it works without an issue. I have personally travelled this way between continents and never had a problem even with carry on luggage.
2) Diversify Your Luggage
Simply put, if you take a number of different, legitimate herbal supplements and tea powders then it looks like you are genuinely interested in holistic health and natural supplements. By packing other South American products such as Yerba mate, Soursop leaf tea, Maca powder or Chanca Piedra tea bags, you make it clear that you are importing superfoods. The Customs officers will be less likely to suspect you of importing something more suspicious.
However, it looks so much better if you luggage has a few bags of Maca powder, Yerba mate and some coca tea powder.
Should you be importing Coca Tea From Peru to United States, United Kingdom, Europe or Australia?
Ultimately, you need to answer that question yourself. There is always a risk of something going wrong. Such as having your luggage or parcels seized by Customs or incurring a fine. You can also have no problems, period. That is your choice.
Your life, your rules, mate.
Why bother importing coca leaves when Coca Tea Express is the best coca tea shop online?
We have been in business of importing and exporting coca leaf products, Mimosa hostilis and Acacia confusa root bark powder for over 7 years. Why our customers love us and keep coming back is because we ship locally. The parcels are shipped within the United States of America, the United Kingdom and Australia. Your parcel does not go through Customs for your piece of mind, time and safety.
You can’t beat that.
When you are importing coca tea from Peru to the USA, the UK, Europe, Australia or New Zealand, remember this import guide.
To your health and success,
Alex and team
John Coca love says
Thanks for the importation tips, Alex. Coca tea bags are almost impossible to import from Peru to the USA since 2021.
I just got back from Cusco.
Stay well, amigo.
Coca Tea Express says
Hello John,
Always a pleasure. Let us know if you need any help.
Good luck.
Alex
Pete says
Hello coca tea express, good to see you back posting new articles. Much appreciated.
Coca Tea Express says
Hi Pete,
No worries, we hope to post more frequently again.
Hope you are doing well.
Kind regards,
Alex
JT says
It is better to buy coca tea within your own country, no hassles from customs.
Sean K says
Do you still offer bulk 5 kgs of coca leaf powder?
Coca Tea Express says
Hi Sean,
Yes, please contact us via the Contact Us page.
Thanks,
Alex
Will says
thanks for the import guide on coca leaf tea. I was always curious how some can bring it into the USA.
Coca Tea Express says
You are welcome, Will.
Alex
Aaren says
Does coca tea expire? Can’t find any information. Thx
Coca Tea Express says
Hi Aaren,
Coca tea alkaloids are fairly stable, around 3-4 years from when first harvested.
But it depends largely on how it’s stored.
Keep it dry in an air tight jar, at room temperature and you will be fine for 3 years for sure.
Don’t put it in a fridge or freezer.
Kind regards,
Alex
WWW says
this is a very nice guide for importing coca tea. thanx
Jerry Long says
Hello I never had any lucky importing coca tea from Peru, the parcel never arrived :/
Peter says
Don’t import, buy locally sourced coca tea.
JJ says
Cheers for this guide Coca Tea Express team.
Has anyone tried ordering from Bolivia?
Stu says
It is not that simple actually, coca tea is hard to find in the USA.
PP says
I’ve tried buying coca tea powder from Peru and none of my parcels arrived.
I am based in New York City.
Maybe it’s still on the way.
Can i buy locally in the US?
Coca Tea Express says
Hi PP,
Yes, we ship from California.
Alex
George Potts says
Hi there, can you buy coca tea in Los Angeles?
Coca Tea Express says
Hi George,
You can buy coca tea from us and we ship from California.
Cheers,
Alex
Paul Monero says
What is the difference between coca tea powder and tea bags? Is it the same coca leaf??
Coca Tea Express says
Hi Paul.
Coca leaf powder is finely powdered coca leaf, while tea bags contain shredded coca leaves.
Coca leaf powder or flour is best for chewing with bi carb soda, coca tea bags are excellent for making tea and coca leaf rum or wine.
Cheers,
Alex
Richard D says
Can you receive parcels with coca leaf powder in the US or not? I am confused.
Ideally I want 1 kg of coca leaf powder but will be happy with coca tea bags also.
Coca Tea Express says
Hi Richard,
It is best to order within the US.
Any parcels shipped from South America get lost in transit.
Cheers,
Alex
Trent NM says
My wife ordered from you before, we love coca tea now. Especially the tea bags.
Lex says
I got offered coca leaves in Peru when I was travelling, helped me with altitude sickness and energy.
Danny Pi says
It’s easier to buy coca tea in the USA. They used to sell it on Amazon.
Charles says
Hello Alex, thanks for doing all you do man, I need to put in another coca tea order with you.
Good vibes my friend.