I just called UPS to see how much it would cost to send bottled BBQ sauce and Mayonnaise to Darwin, Australia. I was told there is a $36 quarantine fee that the recipient has to pay to recieve food products sent into the country. Is this correct? What is the cheapest, best way to send pre-packaged food stuffs from the US?

I am not sure of the charges but there is a fee I believe.

Regarding the mayonnaise though, depending on egg content, it may not even pass quarantine.

Here is a useful government site on this subject, not sure if it mentions fees but maybe of some help.

http://www.daff.gov.au/content/outpu...81E22DE6759942

Had a look at the relevant government website (www.aqis.gov.au) and it wasn't clear to me that a fee would apply to what you have in mind. However, my check was cursory - you might have better luck.

BUT you can't import dairy or egg products, full stop, so better forget the mayonnaise. BBQ sauce seems to be admissible.

How about trying the US Post Office?

Someone sent me some of your Ranch Dressing recently, it was in powdered form though and I think I had to add the mayo here. No fee charged - it just came in post and had been declared to customs.

Was reading on the website mayonaisse needs to have less than 10% egg product. As we buy American mayonaisse from the supermarket I had a look at the ingredient list and it has 9% egg. Now I wonder if this is normal content or if they make it with that amount to pass Australian customs?

Any American readers please free to rush to your fridge to inspect mayo jar and let me know we if are being short egged!!

That would be S&W brand mayo, Tassietwister? We buy it too, because the locally-made stuff is too sweet and has an odd consistency, but I've often wondered why no Australian company has got its act together and made good mayonnaise.

My Chinese mooncakes were confiscated, but I didn't fret over that. I only accepted them out of politeness.

Yes Neil S&W, I think we have bought Hellmas as well. True us Aussies have never had great mayonaisse!

Praise is awful.

Tassietwister, now we're all running to our fridges - Thomy in mine (made in Germany) has 7% egg yolk. Its not bad, either buy it or S&W but lately have been making own. Praise is ghastly, but little kids seem to like it.

Pat

Making your own is the way to go!

Customs are a pain until you hear a story like today where they detected the bird flu antibodies in the canadian pigeons.

I was nearly caught out went I went to Tasmania. Had a apple in my bag to eat on the plane but I decided on a muffin instead (for some reason lol)

Anyway saw the quarantine bin at the entrance of the terminal that jolted my memory so I tossed the offensive fruit out.

Took another few steps and a sniffer dog was kneeled next to me. He could still smell the apple even though I had tossed it. I was a couple metres short of a $200 on the spot fine!

Thanks for all the info. I will nix the mayo. I know that there are similar products and even the same brand name, but am told it does not taste the same as the old familiar "back home" variety. I would not be so "ugly American" as to say that it is in any way inferior to our products, just different, and that is OK with me. When I travel I love to discover the differences. That is what makes the trip more fun. Otherwise, I would just stay home and watch the travel channel! But, for someone living away from home for a while, a birthday or Christmas gift could include the familiar food items. The US Post Office rates are very high for sending items (3 magazines, an extension cord and a specific brand of makeup/blush was $55.) So, I thought I would see what the rates were for UPS and Airborne. UPS is the company that told me about the food entry fee! I guess from the threads I have read it is OK to bring many prepackaged items, but no grain/fruits/veggies, in as long as they are declared.

I did the same thing with an apple going into some country, I don't recall where - but I noticed a virtual fruit salad in the last waste container before customs!
Thanks again.

Regarding our US mayonnaise, I always buy Best Foods which is known as Hellman's east of the Rockies.
My Best Food jar does not indicate what percent of the mayonnaise is eggs. Ingredients are shown as: soybean oil, water, whole eggs and egg yolks, vinegar, salt, sugar, lemon juice, calcium disodium, EDTA (used to protect quality, Natural Flavors.

Best Foods is considered the best mayonnaise by most people I know.

Tasstietwister, since the eggs are the third ingredient listed in the mayonnaise I suspect the mayonnaise in Australia is shortening you on the amount of eggs. At least here in the US, ingredients are listed with the most ingredient listed first, the second most ingredient listed second and so forth. No where on the jar is the actual percentage of eggs in our mayonnaise however.

I do want you to know that on reading your post I did rush to the refigerator and pulled out the mayonnaise jar. Sorry I did not see your post until five days after you gave your orders, LOL. Best wishes!!

Geckolips

American mayonaisse is SUPERIOR. I never really liked it at all until I had it in the states. A few years ago the only place I could buy it in Sydney was downtown at David Jones Food Hall for about $8 a jar. Now finally we have some choice in the supermarket. Still not sure it measures up though.

Another product from North America that is becoming more widely available at a better price is maple syrup.

LoveItaly

Well maybe ours is more eggy because it lists Soy and canola oil 81%, Egg 9% and water 4%.

But is imported from the US so I doubt they would give us more egg than the locals.

When ever I need a smile I just go to Fodors.com and start reading!! Cheers me up every time. This thread has become quite humorous! Who would have thought mayo would get such attention! ;o)
Actually my question was not phrased well, what I want to know is the cheapest way to mail food items or anything to Australia and if the receipient really does have to pay a quarantine fee. But the mayo direction was much more entertaining!! I think I will just bring it as a carry on and if they won't let me bring it in I have only lost $1.89.

When I buy maple syrup (which I love) I buy the maple syrup from Canada..it seems better than our US maple syrup. Shhh, don't tell my fellow Americans, LOL. Right now I have "Spring Tree" Pure Maple Syrup "Grade A Dark Amber, product of Canada.

I am NOT HAPPY.

My maple syrup is not pure. Sugar, water then MAPLE SYRUP. And no percentages. Steeves brand imported from Canada.

Also just read refrigerate after opening, ooops.

Oh Tassietwister, I am sorry, LOL. Just take that "b*astard maple syrup and toss it in the garbage and go buy yourself some 100% maple syrup. Life is difficult at times, is it not?