Should I bring Durian fruits on board for my upcoming LAX - SEA?
Oct 2, 2019, 4:33 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 288
Should I bring Durian fruits on board for my upcoming LAX - SEA?
Long story short, my cousins in Seattle ask me to buy some fresh durian fruits when I visit them next month. This fruit has a very strong smell ( delicious or disgusting is totally subjective here lol ) , so strong that even Asian countries ike Thailand , Malaysia, Singapore banned them in hotel and buses. Will this be an issue when I put in my carry on bag?
Oct 2, 2019, 4:37 pm
#2
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Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
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Long story short, my cousins in Seattle ask me to buy some fresh durian fruits when I visit them next month. This fruit has a very strong smell ( delicious or disgusting is totally subjective here lol ) , so strong that even Asian countries ike Thailand , Malaysia, Singapore banned them in hotel and buses. Will this be an issue when I put in my carry on bag?
I wouldn't suggest you bring it onboard. People will think there's a rotting corpse in the overhead bin.
Oct 2, 2019, 4:38 pm
#3
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO
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Posts: 3,300
As long as you have it vacuum sealed, you'll be fine, otherwise, things like this happen:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-46120507
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-46120507
Oct 2, 2019, 4:57 pm
#4
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: Alaska Airlines
Posts: 659
Are you looking to bring a whole fruit, not split open? When I was in Penang a few weeks ago I didn't think the fruit smelled that strong until it was cut open... granted I was in open air markets, not in a sealed aluminum tube 
But man, that stuff does NOT keep once you open it. We bought one at the market and cracked it open, ate a bunch of it and the guy gave us little plastic tub for the remainder. We stuffed it in our hotel fridge and when we opened it up the next morning to grab some waters... WHOA... filled the room. We immediately tossed it in an outdoor trash so hopefully the smell would vacate before we left the next day
I think you can find it in Seattle in the right markets, maybe seasonally? I can't speak for the quality as I don't have much experience. Just had it the once in Penang and it was very interesting
But man, that stuff does NOT keep once you open it. We bought one at the market and cracked it open, ate a bunch of it and the guy gave us little plastic tub for the remainder. We stuffed it in our hotel fridge and when we opened it up the next morning to grab some waters... WHOA... filled the room. We immediately tossed it in an outdoor trash so hopefully the smell would vacate before we left the next day
I think you can find it in Seattle in the right markets, maybe seasonally? I can't speak for the quality as I don't have much experience. Just had it the once in Penang and it was very interesting
Oct 2, 2019, 6:30 pm
#5
Join Date: Oct 2015
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Posts: 199
Dude, nooooooooooo!!! Lol
Oct 2, 2019, 6:35 pm
#6
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Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
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Long story short, my cousins in Seattle ask me to buy some fresh durian fruits when I visit them next month. This fruit has a very strong smell ( delicious or disgusting is totally subjective here lol ) , so strong that even Asian countries ike Thailand , Malaysia, Singapore banned them in hotel and buses. Will this be an issue when I put in my carry on bag?
https://www.cbp.gov/travel/internati...cultural-items
Oct 2, 2019, 6:49 pm
#7
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
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Long story short, my cousins in Seattle ask me to buy some fresh durian fruits when I visit them next month. This fruit has a very strong smell ( delicious or disgusting is totally subjective here lol ) , so strong that even Asian countries ike Thailand , Malaysia, Singapore banned them in hotel and buses. Will this be an issue when I put in my carry on bag?
Regards
Oct 2, 2019, 7:03 pm
#8
Join Date: Jul 2018
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Should you bring it? No.
Will it be an issue? Maybe.
Will it be an issue? Maybe.
Oct 2, 2019, 7:09 pm
#9
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,380
there's a reason why (fresh) durian is banned in many southeast asian transportation systems
don't bring it.
if it's processed (freeze dried, or in pastries), then maybe, depending on the pungency. I've brought durian-tarts, cakes, candies before - no smell until you open the air-tight container/pouch
LAX-SEA, no US customs (though there may be states-side agriculture check)
don't bring it.
if it's processed (freeze dried, or in pastries), then maybe, depending on the pungency. I've brought durian-tarts, cakes, candies before - no smell until you open the air-tight container/pouch
It'll be an issue when you have to declare it at US Customs, and then you'll get inspected.
https://www.cbp.gov/travel/internati...cultural-items
https://www.cbp.gov/travel/internati...cultural-items
Oct 2, 2019, 7:12 pm
#10
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 183
No... just no. Fresh durian is available in Seattle there is no reason to bring some.
Oct 2, 2019, 7:19 pm
#11
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The public transport system in Singapore treats durian just like smoking a cigarette for a reason. Please just buy it in Seattle.
If I was flight crew and thought you had durian, I'd refuse you onto the plane just the same as if you had a weapon or drugs. Would try to get you banned from the airline, too, for the same reason.
If I was flight crew and thought you had durian, I'd refuse you onto the plane just the same as if you had a weapon or drugs. Would try to get you banned from the airline, too, for the same reason.
Oct 2, 2019, 7:20 pm
#12
Join Date: Nov 2015
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Please don't do this! I'm sure I smelled (absolutely unmistakable) durian at the Uwajimaya in the Int'l District a few months ago.
Oct 2, 2019, 7:30 pm
#13
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: sometimes, strangely, I find myself at home
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Posts: 651
First you had a question about live lobsters and now this? Can you Google?
Oct 2, 2019, 7:32 pm
#14
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And here I was thinking it was being brought in fresh from Asia... oops.
Oct 2, 2019, 8:18 pm
#15
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 969
It's the equivalent of cooking fish in the office microwave.