ruthie1

We will be spending ten days in Nevis in December (over Christmas). We have rented a lovely, secluded house outside of town. As we usually rent houses or villas rather than stay in hotels, we like to bring some of our own prepared and uncooked frozen food along so we don't have to eat out every night. We have never had a problem with this in St. John, but on a recent trip to Cancun, our prime aged New York shell steak was confiscated (because of Mad Cow disease!). I'm sure the customs officer enjoyed a wonderful steak dinner that night. Will this happen to us in Nevis?

Sunnyboy

I live on Nevis. You can bring in a reasonable amount of food for your own consumption but the customs officers will confiscate any meats that have bones (i.e. you can't bring in T-bone steaks, lamb chops, etc.) so leave them home - by the way it is to prevent the spread of Mad Cow Disease and Hoof & Mouth Disease. Depending on the mood of the customs agent you may be required to pay duty on the value of your meats. If you do decide to bring in your own food be sure to declare it to the customs agent otherwise you run the risk of a substantial fine.

virginia

hi, i too take a cooler. have taken foods including meats into turks and caicos and usvi. my one tip is to prepare a printed list of all the contents. have not heard of so am interested in this bone in meat thing sunnyboy. is this a new regulation? and if this has to do with mad cow how do the lamb chops fit it? in any event strips, filets & rib eyes are all boneless. what about my roasting chicken? my favorite to take is a container or 2 of maine lobster and the right kind of hotdog buns to make lobster salad sandwiches for a beach picnic.

MarionCK

Ah Virginia

The proper hot dog bun is the secret to a great *lobstah* roll ! I'm guessing that you choose the ones that are split on the top. Do you rub a little butter on the sides and toast them ?

You could make a lot of our friends here happy by sharing your recipe

I'm sure it won't take up much space !

Marion

Sunnyboy

To Viginia - the "bone thing" is not new for Nevis. It's been on the books for years. I have no idea about the regulations for the T&C's as that is a totally different island with its own government. All I can tell you is every country (and island) has it's own regulations. The only way to be sure what you can and cannot bring in to an island is to check directly with the customs officials on the island you are planning to visit. If you re-read my post you'd see I said in Nevis they don't allow you to bring in meat with bones as a way to prevent both Mad Cow Disease (beef) and Hoof & Mouth Disease (beef, lamb, pork). By the way, commercial businesses such as restaurants, grocery stores, etc. can bring in meats with bones but they have to be licensed and the meats are inspected by the Agricultural Ministery upon arrival.

By the way, don't bother with bringing in chicken, it's readily available on Nevis, either freshly killed from the local chicken farm or frozen at the supermarkets (the same brands you find in the US).

virginia

hi marion, recipe for use on beach vacations:
cut lobster into bite size pieces. mix lobster with just enough hellmans mayo (no substitutes) to hold together.
you need the buns that look like white bread on the outsides and split at the top. lightly butter (or marg) the outsides and toast in pan with bun still closed. open bun. insert lobster. ENJOY!

jacketwatch

Virginia: Stop ityou temptress! I'm on a diet!

MarionCK

Yes, Virginia there IS a perfect *lobstah* roll and you've got it

I knew you would

Marion

ruthie1

Thank you Sunnyboy. Your reply was very informative and will guide me when I pack my cooler. No steaks or chops with bones, no chicken. I will make a list of what I have packed (Thank you too Virginia)and declare it on entry. I know my husband will balk - he didn't want to declare our food in Cancun and he was right, but I'd rather pay a duty than a big fine. By the way, anyone know how much the duty is, say for $100.00 worth of food?