jgarlich

Hey- we are flying to Provo next week, about 10 of us, and we were going to bring some stuff with us in our luggage...does anyone know of ANY food restrictions or limits, etc.? Thank you!

virginia

you can carry any/everything except fresh fruits and vegetables. have been on provo 3 times and we take a full sized cooler and all sorts of things in our checked bags including coffer/tea, tuna packs, pb&j, cereal. if you take a cooler, customs would like a list of contents. and anything that comes with a USDA label needs to keep the label.
have a great time and please come back and do a trip report.

jgarlich

Since there are ten of us traveling together, we were just going to divide up stuff and put in our luggage. Will that work? Also, I was going to cut and bag some fresh rosemary, basil and mint from my garden, does that count as fresh fruit???? Lastly, where is the duty free alcohol, in Charlotte or when you arrive in Provo?

blamona

Meets need to be frozen and vacuum sealed.
Fresh rosemary, etc, again, if vacuum sealed MAY work, worse that could happen is conviscated.

It must be checked in-not in carry-ons.

Are you worried about not finding things in Provo? Their supermarkets there rival any in the States, with brand names that are American, British and Canadian brands that you're used too. The main supermarket is huge-and has plenty of fresh fruits and rosemary, etc.

If you're trying to save money, keep in mind some airlines charge for checked bags. Where the monies add up are chips, snacks, etc.

jgarlich

Thanks Blamona and Virgina...that helps a lot. If you think of anything else, just let me know...getting so excited about the trip! OH, do the fisherman sell fish every day of the week?

Scubagirl

technically, fresh herbs are NOT allowed. Any plant, flower, foliage or plant matter, soil etc are forbidden. If you must bring spices, you'll need to bring store bought in the jar or they will get tossed if you are inspected.

U.S. has the same rules.

virginia

fresh stuff even in checked is forbidden. we tried cutting & freezing some mint for grand cayman. they looked hard at it but did allow it in, but it was frozen with the rest of cooler contents.
duty free purchases need to be made in the US before you go. you will buy and get a piece of paper. the liqour vendor will deliver it to the plane where you'll trade it for your piece of paper. if by any chance you must change planes between charlotte & provo you must then place booze in checked luggage, but i see most of the flts are nonstop on the way down. if you like perfume look at provo duty free shop, and this must go in checked if over 3 ozs. (when you stop on way home) in both cases they will ask to see your ticket before you buy to prove you are leaving the country which is the only requirement for duty free purchasing.
you can take baggies of dry spices you're going to want. as blamona says most things are available, but buying an $8.00 jar of spice to use a tbsp is annoying.
we found dairy and vinegars to be the most increase over home prices.
take or buy lots of ziplocs. we find we use tons as we put everything! in them, including all dry foods, etc. and they are useful for bathing suits on the way home so you can have a last swim
if you have room keep crackers, chips, cookies in the freezer so they don't get stale.

jgarlich

Hey One last thing...I know Lobster is out of season, but does that mean that you can't buy it at the packageing plant frozen or at the store?? Can you buy Shrimp at the store?? We are big seafood eaters...what is the best down there? I know Conch is popular...does anyone have a good recipe?

Caribzack

When Lobster is out of season you can not buy it either...no way around it. The IGA does sell frozen and sometimes fresh shrimp. Leave cooking Conch to the restaurants...it is a tough one to cook!!

virginia

for conch drive out towards blue hills to find 'da conch shack' - the freshest you can get and they know how to prepare it several ways.