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Snake Wine – Is it legal to bring back as a souvenir?

By Courtney Ridgel, Junior Tour Consultant

One thing we love about traveling is getting to shop for unique items in local markets.  Throughout the region there are many wonderful things to buy, like curios from a market stall or furniture from a factory.  Southeast Asia boasts some of the best shopping in the world, between designer shops in Bangkok to night markets in Chiang Mai and Luang Prabang, and from boutique stores to Hilltribe markets in Vietnam and Myanmar.   This wide variety of options also means that consumers are responsible for selecting their purchases wisely.

Environmental protection in Southeast Asia is in its infancy.  Be mindful when purchasing items from local markets or food from restaurants that are made from threatened and endangered species.  Many struggling families make ends meet by catching endangered creatures to eat or sell.   Additionally, many of these items are illegal to bring back to the US.

Snake Wine, a commonly sold souvenir in Southeast Asia.
Snake Wine, a commonly sold souvenir in Southeast Asia.

One popular souvenir that we frequently see in markets is snake (or scorpion) wine, so we decided to do a little research on whether it is legal to bring snake wine back to the US.  It seems that as far as US Customs are concerned with snake wine, the type of snake contained in the bottle is what matters.  Importing cobras, which are the snake most commonly used in wine, is illegal because they are an endangered species.  Bringing back items made of endangered species is illegal in the United States, as these species are protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, which applies to live and dead animals.  However, it seems that snake wine made using non-endangered snake species is acceptable as long as you declare it and the proper officials inspect it in the airport.  (You can find more information on the official U.S. Customs and Border Protection website.

Palm Wine, a legal alternative souvenir to Snake Wine.
Palm Wine, a legal alternative souvenir to Snake Wine.

That said, we always encourage travelers to support sustainably-sourced items, particularly where animal products are concerned.  Although items like snake wine are traditional to the region, there is some debate about the how the snakes are acquired – some are farmed but many others are captured from the wild and demand from tourists has drastically increased how many snakes are used.  Be wary of purchasing other products or food made from other animals such as turtles, sea horses, sharks, tigers, rhinos, and elephants.

For alternative souvenirs to snake wine, we suggest items such as palm wine, woven textiles (which are much lighter and easier to pack), locally-made artwork, jewelry or handmade clothing, among many other unique options.

Other Shopping Tips:

  • Try your hand at bargaining!
  • Shop Locally – Just like at home, one of the biggest ways that you can make a difference in communities is to use your consumer dollars wisely.
  • When looking for gifts to take home, keep your eyes open — there are plenty of shops around Southeast Asia that sell cheap goods made in China, but instead, why not look for locally produced, hand-made versions of the souvenirs you want. The price difference is usually very little and by purchasing products made in the communities you visit, you help support long-term job creation and the local economy.
  • Shop Environmentally-Friendly – Consider the amount of litter that comes with your purchases — if you don’t need a plastic bag, ask them not to use one.
  • If you are shipping goods home, be aware that the final price can end up much higher than they quote you so we recommend that, if you can, you carry the articles with you, even if this means paying excess luggage. If you do ship anything home, please make sure you get and keep complete documentation of the sale, the shipping quote and arrangement and be prepared to pay import duty at the other end.

Places we love to shop:

Kandal Village, Siem Reap

Shinta Mani “Made in Cambodia” Market, Siem Reap

Angkor Night Market, Siem Reap

Lalai Sap Market, Siem Reap

Central Market, Phnom Penh

Wulai Walking Street or the Night Bazaar, Chiang Mai

Scott’s Market (Bogyoke Market), Yangon

Any of the local markets in Myanmar

And many more!  Be sure to ask your guides for suggestions and when you travel with Journeys Within, you’ll receive a Cheat Sheet with our favorite shopping and dining options in each location.… Read more »