American Tourists Return Sand and Rock to Iceland With an Apology Note (2024)

FAQs

American Tourists Return Sand and Rock to Iceland With an Apology Note? ›

We are so sorry about that and return both the sand and pebbles back home to Iceland. Since Iceland was formed in a volcanic eruption the sand and pebbles could probably belong anywhere. We want to ask you to kindly return it back out to nature for us. Sincerely, Your Joanne & Evangelina from Virginia USA.”

Although it's illegal to remove actual lava rocks from their habitat, you can find jewelry made with Icelandic volcanic rock to take home for yourself or your loved ones.

Bringing home anything from a beach or natural ground is illegal in Iceland, too. It's not only sand: Try to take coral from Thailand, and you'll be fined hundreds of dollars. Even taking a rock from a U.S. national park is a big no-no.

Please keep in mind that it is illegal in Iceland to take stones, plants, lava rocks or other natural items from protected areas.

It is illegal in Hawaii to take lava rocks and sand from the beautiful beaches on any of the islands. The best way to enjoy the beautiful beaches is to sit back, relax, and take lots of pictures while you are here.

Travelers must be able to prove to U.S. customs inspectors that imports of peat, sand, clay, and souvenir rocks or stones are entirely free of soil or any other organic matter (such as algae) before they can enter the United States.

Don't Take Sand or Rocks

In an effort to protect Iceland's ecosystem, anything natural cannot be taken out of protected areas of the country. This includes plants, fossils, minerals, and lava rocks.

The following items may not be imported: toxic and hazardous substances; narcotics; chewing tobacco and finely powdered snuff; uncooked meat products; certain foodstuffs (meat products may be imported if they have been boiled or canned); weapons; and knives with blades exceeding 12 cm.

No soil or earth of any kind is allowed into the United States without a permit issued in advance by USDA Plant Protection and Quarantine Permit Unit. Pure sand, such as a small container of decorative beach sand, is usually allowed."

Checked Bags: Yes

For more prohibited items, please go to the 'What Can I Bring?' page. The final decision rests with the TSA officer on whether an item is allowed through the checkpoint.

Can you take shells from Iceland? ›

Yes, countries such as Italy, France, Greece, Iceland or the UK, for example, do not permit the removal of sand or shells. The best thing is to find out locally what is and what is not permitted, as fines are often draconian.

The best time to see a volcano in Iceland is when you can still see the fresh lava flowing, but the area is deemed safe to visit by local authorities. That said, visiting any geothermally active area is an exciting experience. You'll see fascinating natural formations like volcanic fumaroles, mud pools and hot springs.

Carrying documentation for your rocks, especially rare or valuable specimens, can smooth your way through customs and security. A letter from a geologist or institution, detailing the scientific value of your samples, can be particularly helpful.

The black residue is not oil, it is a concentration of heavy minerals. When you examine the grains, you can see specs of magnetite, ilmenite and even purple tinted garnet sand size grains. These are trace minerals that are found mixed into the sand from the borrow area.

Why are Black Sand Beaches in Iceland Dangerous? Sneaker waves can pose a significant danger to tourists on Iceland's beaches. These waves crash much further up the shore than you would expect and can appear seemingly out of nowhere, even on the calmest of days.

Black sand comes from eroded volcanic material such as lava, basalt rocks, and other dark-colored rocks and minerals, and is typically found on beaches near volcanic activity.

Generally, rocks are considered non-hazardous materials. However, the final decision rests with the TSA officer at the security checkpoint. It's essential to remember that while TSA regulations might allow for rocks in your luggage, each officer's interpretation can lead to different outcomes.

American Airlines allows rocks in both checked and carry-on baggage. They highlight the importance of securely packing sharp-edged rocks to avoid any security concerns at the checkpoint.

Caption Options. "We were so amazed and excited to visit the Black Sand Beach and took a little bit [of] sand and a few pebbles home to show my daughter's classmates and teachers," it says. "We later learned that it's not allowed to take anything from the beach or natural grounds.

Travelers entering with souvenirs such as rocks and stones, beach sand, or Irish peat must declare and present items for inspection at entry.