Can Indian students carry small Hindu religious items such as idols and sandalwood paste through US customs when moving for their master's?

Yes, you can carry small Hindu religious items like idols and sandalwood through US customs, as long as you follow a few clear rules. Brass, copper, bronze or stone idols travel fine, but fresh wet sandalwood paste is restricted since customs bans unsealed moist plant material. Declare every plant based puja item honestly on your customs form to avoid fines or confiscation.

What You Can and Cannot Carry

How to Avoid Fines at Customs

• Carry the original purchase bill for any gold or silver idol to prove its value.
• Keep metal idols easily accessible, since they will trigger the X-ray scanner.
• Bring a dry sandalwood block and a small grinding stone to make fresh paste after you arrive.
• Always mark yes on the customs form for plant or food items like sandalwood, dry coconut, camphor or turmeric.

My Advice

Pack your idols and dry sandalwood in your carry on where you can show them easily, and fill out your customs declaration honestly rather than skipping the plant products question. If an item does get flagged and thrown away, that is a minor loss, but an undeclared item found in a random check can cost you $300 to $1,000 and cause problems for your 2026 or 2027 student status.