What can i take with me ?

[claire and joe 2]

When i lived in Spain there was alot of food things that i missed and was hard to get hold of , i used to get my family and friends to bring stuff over .... Like proper Bacon , Cheddar cheese and Bovril just to name a few ...

Are there any food stuff that's a definite no no ? And what things are difficult to get hold of ?

Just need an idea before i stuff my suitcase with Teabags !

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Meat, dairy, and fruits/veggies are a no. I suppose there is a way you can bring them but they have to be declared and inspected and it is a hassle.

You can read up on customs regulations at cbp.gov.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/clearing/agri_prod_inus.xml

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/kbyg/prohibited_restricted.xml

[Vanitas 310]

This is from the TSA's site:

Solid food items (not liquids or gels) can be transported in either your carry-on or checked baggage. Liquid or gel food items larger than 3.4 oz are not permitted in carry-on baggage and should be placed in your checked baggage if possible.

All food products should be properly packaged to avoid spilling during the screening process and damaging security equipment and other passengers' belongings. Cakes and pies are permitted as carry-on items, but could require additional screening.

Even if an item is generally permitted, it may be subject to additional screening or not allowed through the checkpoint if it triggers an alarm during the screening process, appears to have been tampered with, or poses other security concerns. The final decision rests with TSA on whether to allow any items on the plane.

Though something tells me you have to be careful with stuff like fresh fruit and vegetables (Harpah's right - they're a no-go). And you may have to declare all this stuff on your Customs form as well.

Edited July 15, 2013 by Ryan&Amy

[claire and joe 2]

What a mine field of do,s and don't,s ...... I'm sure ive seen an English shop being advertised on one of the sites ive looked at for my new home town .......

Thanks for the links guys .

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

When i lived in Spain there was alot of food things that i missed and was hard to get hold of , i used to get my family and friends to bring stuff over .... Like proper Bacon , Cheddar cheese and Bovril just to name a few ...

Are there any food stuff that's a definite no no ? And what things are difficult to get hold of ?

Just need an idea before i stuff my suitcase with Teabags !

In general, any food that is packaged, labled, and sealed from the store should be fine. We brought a lot of cheese (because hubby hated American versions of cheddar). At the immigration desk, the guy was looking at the form kinda funny where I had declared 5 lbs. cheddar cheese. So I said, "are we not allowed to bring that in?" He said, "Why not? it's just cheese." I think I was remembering that old I Love Lucy show where she was on the plane sneaking in a giant cheese from Europe wrapped up like it was her baby.

[rjm_cmyk 75]

I thought dairy was a complete no-no ?

<Visions of bringing in complete stilton round as hand baggage or even a rocquefort but pondering the smell after 11hr flight into SFO>

[crashsle 4]

This might be a helpful link to read through

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/82/~/travelers-bringing-food-into-the-u.s.-for-personal-use

I found this as I'm not sure I can live without some proper cheese! It does say 'generally' admissible though, so I'm sure there is still some risk/might be worth getting clarification from them before you fly.

Edited July 16, 2013 by crashsle

[claire and joe 2]

This might be a helpful link to read through

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/82/~/travelers-bringing-food-into-the-u.s.-for-personal-use

I found this as I'm not sure I can live without some proper cheese! It does say 'generally' admissible though, so I'm sure there is still some risk/might be worth getting clarification from them before you fly.

Thanks for that crashsle ... im going to take some nice strong cheddar with me ... shame i cant take Bovril !

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Interesting table: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/4872809d-90c6-4fa6-a2a8-baa77f48e9af/Countries_Products_Eligible_for_Export.pdf?MOD=AJPERES

Apparently the UK has had its permission for poultry import recently suspended.

[crashsle 4]

Thanks for that crashsle ... im going to take some nice strong cheddar with me ... shame i cant take Bovril !

If it's any help on one of the other threads someone had linked to a couple of online shops to buy uk products in America which got bookmarked immediately!

http://www.goodwoods.com/bovril4oz125g.aspx

http://www.goodwoods.com/

http://www.britishfooddepot.com/main.sc

[rjm_cmyk 75]

This might be a helpful link to read through

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/82/~/travelers-bringing-food-into-the-u.s.-for-personal-use

I found this as I'm not sure I can live without some proper cheese! It does say 'generally' admissible though, so I'm sure there is still some risk/might be worth getting clarification from them before you fly.

Interesting...

Re: Cheese - looks like you can bring over pretty much any cheese ... Not sure I'd bring any dried mushrooms though even though you can - kinda inviting attention

[lost_at_sea 995]

For what it's worth, the US is getting better at cheese. If you're on the west coast, look for cowgirl creamery from CA, for one example.