OT - What can you bring back into UK?

Ragman · Dec 2, 12, 8:05 am

I am currently in the Caribbean on holiday (thank you all for the Avios tips

) and can't seem to find a definitive answer to whether I can bring Spices back to the UK in my hand luggage.
I don't want the risk of being stopped at Gatwick with packets of spices that they assume are illicit substances

Anyone have any experience on bringing in spices from non-EU?

corporate-wage-slave · Dec 2, 12, 8:15 am

Spices are fine, I sometimes do that from the Far East. Fresh meat and fish is another issue.

This is probably what you were looking for:

Bringing food, animals or plants into the UK

antichef · Dec 2, 12, 9:07 am

Spices are fine, "herb" is not

T8191 · Dec 2, 12, 11:18 am

Straw hats and wicker donkeys are generally accepted at LGW, due to long and bitter experience.

antichef hits the spot, though. Any 'herb' is going to raise a query. I would guess that powdered spices [that aren't white] will be OK. Is that really an economic bonus, though? Do you use enough on a regular basis to stop them going stale? Is it a real bargain, or an emotional thing? They do sell stuff in shops in UK.

That said, we have a favourite BBQ mix we get in the US. We buy all we can find - and use it almost daily.

pinkcat · Dec 2, 12, 11:32 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by T8191

Straw hats and wicker donkeys are generally accepted at LGW, due to long and bitter experience.

antichef hits the spot, though. Any 'herb' is going to raise a query. I would guess that powdered spices [that aren't white] will be OK. Is that really an economic bonus, though? Do you use enough on a regular basis to stop them going stale? Is it a real bargain, or an emotional thing? They do sell stuff in shops in UK.

That said, we have a favourite BBQ mix we get in the US. We buy all we can find - and use it almost daily.

Well, the black cardamons you get from a certain spice shop in Seattle are far superior to those bought here, and the Apple pie spice from the US is used as a daily condiment in our house,

pinkcat · Dec 2, 12, 11:37 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ragman

I am currently in the Caribbean on holiday (thank you all for the Avios tips

) and can't seem to find a definitive answer to whether I can bring Spices back to the UK in my hand luggage.
I don't want the risk of being stopped at Gatwick with packets of spices that they assume are illicit substances

Anyone have any experience on bringing in spices from non-EU?

Our local Jamaican supermarket import herbs and spices and some of them just taste different to the varieties in my garden

T8191 · Dec 2, 12, 11:44 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinkcat

Our local Jamaican supermarket import herbs and spices and some of them just taste different to the varieties in my garden

You am growing 'erb. OMG

antichef · Dec 2, 12, 12:28 pm

Apparently it is very good for relaxing old joints, or relaxing old folks joints .... or just chillin' the old folks generally on the joints

.. didnt you just know it was going to go downhill.

Polomarc · Dec 2, 12, 12:35 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by T8191

That said, we have a favourite BBQ mix we get in the US. We buy all we can find - and use it almost daily.

One of the JD ones or?

Used to enjoy some local brands from Texas and Kansas City, even with an oven at home the taste was kind of similar thanks to the sauce

T8191 · Dec 2, 12, 12:36 pm

This ole man is just chillin. Amazing what Calvados can do, mon.

T8191 · Dec 2, 12, 12:41 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polomarc

One of the JD ones or?
Used to enjoy some local brands from Texas and Kansas City, even with an oven at home the taste was kind of similar thanks to the sauce

Victoria Taylor's Smoky Paprika Chipotle Seasoning.

Contains ... Spices, paprika, garlic,salt, onion, Demerara sugar, "natural mesquite smoke flavour".

Not too much salt, unlike many pre-packaged US products.

alasdair_m · Dec 2, 12, 12:45 pm

I brought packets of curry powder back into the UK from Malaysia no problem last year.

T8191 · Dec 2, 12, 12:51 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by alasdair_m

I brought packets of curry powder back into the UK from Malaysia no problem last year.

But did you smoke it?

Sorry ... I'm being frivolous. I must stop doing that.

alimeypeach · Dec 2, 12, 1:57 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by T8191

Victoria Taylor's Smoky Paprika Chipotle Seasoning.

Contains ... Spices, paprika, garlic,salt, onion, Demerara sugar, "natural mesquite smoke flavour".

Not too much salt, unlike many pre-packaged US products.

I like this too!! Sometimes find it at Homegoods for $4.95.

Polomarc · Dec 2, 12, 2:20 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by T8191

Victoria Taylor's Smoky Paprika Chipotle Seasoning.

Contains ... Spices, paprika, garlic,salt, onion, Demerara sugar, "natural mesquite smoke flavour".

Not too much salt, unlike many pre-packaged US products.

Very tasty, kind of similar to Hungarian spice