taking food in to usa

[allyneil]

We have never had problems with T bags & biscuits etc - but we always declare any food we have in the bags if in doubt. We basically always avoid anything which was grown or alive at any time. Last time we even got quizzed over some wooden building bricks we took with us for the house!

Of course you can take a bottle of wine (I don't know what the limit is) but its not that expensive there so why take the risk of it bursting in your suitcase?

Neil

[esprit]

No meat, fruit or dairy products. Cakes, biscuits and sweets seem to get in OK as does tea and coffee. Mincemeat is a no no as a kind lady bringing me a jar for my mince pies found out to her cost!!! Customs thought it was meat but when convinced that it is not actually meat but fruit, said that was just as bad!!!!! Most man cos will give you enough coffee, sugar and creamer to at least make a drink as a freebie. You can bring bread in but I would not try butter or tuna. You will doubtless pass places on the way to the villa where you can pick up some basics even if it is a foodmart attached to a garage rather then queuing up in supermarket.

[Kissyme]

We always take sticks of coffee (much lighter than a jar) you can get them in most supermarkets over here and collect a few sachets of sugar from Gatwick and everywhere sells milk so you should be ok for a cup of coffee. Milk we have always found a prob as they don`t sell semi-skimmed only % of fat so had to buy a few and decide which we liked

[Engleman]

Bringing any food item into the USA and not declaring it is an offense. Some foods are allowed including some meat and dairy products that are processed and packaged however; the list of those items can change without notice. I was informed by the customs that I could bring in British Beef products but no Pork products from anywhere. Cheese was OK too providing it was not goat's cheese from Greece! (As the Americans say - "Go figure")!

The main differences between the Customs in the USA and in Britain are that in the USA they are a) money collectors for the government and b) preventing the undermining of American Trade. If you consider that there are laws preventing the shipment of American wine from one state to some others you will gain an idea of the trade wars between the states let alone other countries. If you get caught a fine is usually $100 with no criminal record or court appearance. I know 'cos I was stopped and fined for attempting to take Polish Sausage through. I didn't know they were in the suitcase as my wife packed it but my name was on the Customs Form so I was liable and not my wife. Moral - if in doubt get the wife to sign!!

On the Customs declaration form you must declare ALL food. It doesn't define what food is but if you can eat it then it is food. The form also asks for a separate declaration for fruit, meat etc. Again there is no definition to work with.

I suggest (and I always do this now) that no matter what you have with you always tick/(check) the YES box for food, even if it is a couple of biscuits or tic tacs. You will be asked what food it is and then cleared through but at least you have not committed the offense of not declaring it. Be prepared to have items confiscated though. In the past I have brought Mince Meat in as this is processed fruit, liewise Christmas pud. These items are available in the USA but i) they are full of cinnamon and ii)are nowhere near the same quality.

As for other products available in the USA, well, supermarkets here sell Tetley tea (British Blend) but not necessarily in Florida. Maxwell House Instant coffee (Blue label) is pretty close to the coffee from the UK although we do bring Nescafe in with us. If you are into Cadbury prducts then bring them with you. The bars in the US are made by Hershey and taste different. Cadbury's Drinking Chocolate is by far better than anything you will find in the USA.

[neilandkay]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Kissyme
We always take sticks of coffee (much lighter than a jar) you can get them in most supermarkets over here and collect a few sachets of sugar from Gatwick and everywhere sells milk so you should be ok for a cup of coffee. Milk we have always found a prob as they don`t sell semi-skimmed only % of fat so had to buy a few and decide which we liked
[/quote]

We always use 2% for semi skimmed. Here is how we found we equate the US milk to UK milk

Fat Free Milk = Skimmed milk
2% = semi skimmed
Whole milk = full fat milk

Heavy cream or manufacturing cream = whipping cream

Half and half = half milk and half cream (and horrible in tea!!)

Kay

[kimbo]

Thanks for all the info
Should I pack any food inc coffee ect in hand luggage,or will it br ok in suit case ??

[porky]

Regarding coffee, I have found yhe American Tasters Choice (I'm sure that's what it's called) to taste exactly like our Kenco coffe, so no more having to haul jars of coffee across the pond.

Jacqui

[Elaine62]

if you are taking tea/coffee/sweets/cereal do you mention it on the small white form you fill in on the plane? Last year on our BA flight I asked the air hostess if I should put them on the form and she said no but now reading this I'm not sure what to do.

Elaine

[SDJ]

Hi Elaine

There is no need to put them on the form.

Sandra

[Genie]

I'm sure the villa owner will provide you with whatever you want , we do !! we leave english tea and coffee, creamer, cookies and candies but will also provide any other things that guests would like ( bread, cheese, cereal etc )! then they can go and get what they want the next day.