What kind of food can you bring into the US?
Apr 29, 2010, 7:06 am
#31
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Vancouver, BC
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I'm not a Nexus member but the Global Entry kiosk have now been amended and no longer ask a general question about "food". Instead, the new question is: Do you have any fruits, vegetables, plants, insects, meats or products containing meat, dairy products, animals or animal/wildlife products, disease agents, cell cultures, snails, soil; or have you visited a farm/ranch/pasture outside the United States?”
Apr 29, 2010, 5:25 pm
#32
Join Date: Dec 2004
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I did not notice this on my last use of the Global Entry kiosk, I will certainly look next time, as I did not bring anything back with me, only because I wanted to speed up my departure from Customs and Immigration. I usually bring back cookies or candy etc but since using GE I am bringing back any food items. However, one must fill out the blue immigration form as well as a back up and on that it still has the word food, so one would have to mark yes on that form regardless of what one is bringing back.
May 3, 2010, 11:52 pm
#33
Join Date: Apr 2010
Programs: Asia Miles
Posts: 87
Food Allowed to be brought in the US?
I'll be flying to JFK this summer then maybe go to Canada a week after, i was planning to bring some european delicacies to the US. I would like to bring italian cheese(mozzarella,parmisan), prosciuto and salami. Or even canned goods. There's a really good canned tuna dipped in olive oil in Italy. Also some turkish food maybe, just love the baklavas. Oh i almost forgot the italian coffee.
The big problem is if i can bring all of these stuff in the us and canada?
The big problem is if i can bring all of these stuff in the us and canada?
May 4, 2010, 12:18 am
#34
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May 4, 2010, 2:24 pm
#35
Moderator: New York City and FlyerTalk Evangelist
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As this is really a Customs question rather than a NYC question, please continue to follow this thread in the Travel Safety & Security Forum.
dstan
NYC Forum Moderator
dstan
NYC Forum Moderator
May 4, 2010, 2:43 pm
#36
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,849
As for Canada, the meats are prohibited; the rest sounds all right (and tasty).
The other thing is there is a limit of 20 kg per person to a maximum of $20 of cheese. Anything above that is supposed to be imported commercially. Dairy industry protectionism, I assume.
This link can be used to determine what is allowed into Canada. Always choose "Travellers & Personal use and not for resale or distribution" when selecting the end use of the product.
The other thing is there is a limit of 20 kg per person to a maximum of $20 of cheese. Anything above that is supposed to be imported commercially. Dairy industry protectionism, I assume.
This link can be used to determine what is allowed into Canada. Always choose "Travellers & Personal use and not for resale or distribution" when selecting the end use of the product.
Last edited by yyzvoyageur; May 4, 2010 at 4:39 pm Reason: Additional information
May 4, 2010, 4:12 pm
#37
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: NYC
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Into the U.S.: prosciutto and salami, no. Mozzarella, probably not, Parmesan should be no problem. Canned tuna, coffee should be ok. U.S. agriculture department has strict and detailed guidelines that you'd best study before loading your suitcase with food that could be confiscated and land you a big fine.
May 4, 2010, 4:46 pm
#38
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Into the U.S.: prosciutto and salami, no. Mozzarella, probably not, Parmesan should be no problem. Canned tuna, coffee should be ok. U.S. agriculture department has strict and detailed guidelines that you'd best study before loading your suitcase with food that could be confiscated and land you a big fine.
May 4, 2010, 5:15 pm
#39
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The stupid dog that works for CBP is able to sniff out food unless you follow this procedure:
Place food inside cellophane. Place package on clean counter.
Wash hands thoroughly, using soap and warm water.
Place package inside ziplock bag. Place package on clean counter.
Wash hands thoroughly, using soap and warm water.
Place ziplocked package inside hermetite/sealed food container. Place ziplocked package on clean counter.
Wash hands thoroughly, using soap and warm water.
Place ziplocked food container inside paper bag that has previously held clothes and mothballs.
Pack inside a Rollaboard bag that does not contain any other foodstuff.
Bob is your Father's Brother.
Place food inside cellophane. Place package on clean counter.
Wash hands thoroughly, using soap and warm water.
Place package inside ziplock bag. Place package on clean counter.
Wash hands thoroughly, using soap and warm water.
Place ziplocked package inside hermetite/sealed food container. Place ziplocked package on clean counter.
Wash hands thoroughly, using soap and warm water.
Place ziplocked food container inside paper bag that has previously held clothes and mothballs.
Pack inside a Rollaboard bag that does not contain any other foodstuff.
Bob is your Father's Brother.
May 4, 2010, 7:18 pm
#41
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Southeast USA
Programs: various
Posts: 6,710
I'll be flying to JFK this summer then maybe go to Canada a week after, i was planning to bring some european delicacies to the US. I would like to bring italian cheese(mozzarella,parmisan), prosciuto and salami. Or even canned goods. There's a really good canned tuna dipped in olive oil in Italy. Also some turkish food maybe, just love the baklavas. Oh i almost forgot the italian coffee.
The big problem is if i can bring all of these stuff in the us and canada?
The big problem is if i can bring all of these stuff in the us and canada?
More interesting to me is WHY you think you need to bring all these "delicacies" with you from Europe. Has it not occurred to you that people in the US (especially the NY area
) already have access to all the same stuff?
May 5, 2010, 1:46 am
#42
Join Date: Apr 2010
Programs: Asia Miles
Posts: 87
Plus haven't you ever been to a place and liked the local food so much that you decided to bring some home? It always happen to me when i go in Asia.
It's sad that i can't bring any food in. Although US border is less strict than the Australian authorities, a lot of items are still prohibited.
May 5, 2010, 1:52 am
#43
Join Date: Oct 2008
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You may be able to bring some of the cheeses, prosciutto, and salami into the US if you buy them in the airport and they are designated as being allowed to be taken into the US. When I was in Madrid, the airport had some of the wonder Spanish ham available for purchase that could be brought into the US.
I've brought polvorones from Spain and cannolis from Italy into the US (pastry). I did declare them and there was no problem. The most difficult problem was refraining from eating them on my trip home.
As others have said, canned goods are no problem.
Don't forget some Italian wine or Lemoncello!
I've brought polvorones from Spain and cannolis from Italy into the US (pastry). I did declare them and there was no problem. The most difficult problem was refraining from eating them on my trip home.
As others have said, canned goods are no problem.
Don't forget some Italian wine or Lemoncello!
May 5, 2010, 1:14 pm
#44
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 3,665
It is important to answer the questions carefully on the declaration card. Read every category as there are multiple items. The US card has "food" as an item between much less general items. The US officer noted that a few crackers in the pocket of a coat having checked "no" on the line with "food" is an offense.
May 5, 2010, 1:19 pm
#45
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The CBP usually doesn't care about cookies and crackers and packaged breakfast cereals, but it is food to be declared. More often than not, the agents won't care to send such persons to ag inspection after the passenger answers the question about what kind of food.