Bringing foreign food home
Jun 14th, 2006, 08:33 AM
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Bringing foreign food home
Today's San Francisco Chronicle has a very informative article on what you can, can't, should, and shouldn't bring back from foreign countries. Here's the link:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...DG0JJ8SI71.DTL
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...DG0JJ8SI71.DTL
Jun 14th, 2006, 08:54 AM
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I don't think it's so much Customs as it is the Ag people. The only time we had an extended discussion with Customs was when we brought back some antique Japanese wood-block prints, and that was because the agent in training didn't know much about that type of art. But food products...that can take time.
Jun 14th, 2006, 09:01 AM
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That was an interesting article because at least it included some personal quotes from customs people at the airport, it wasn't just the reporter's take on things. Lot of newspapers and reporters get things wrong.
However, even that agent said that the rules on tinned foie gras were not clear and confusing, but that at SF, in any case, it is taken. This is obviously the problem of the USDA or whoever makes the rules, because it would be very easy to just state a clear rule on that product.
However, even that agent said that the rules on tinned foie gras were not clear and confusing, but that at SF, in any case, it is taken. This is obviously the problem of the USDA or whoever makes the rules, because it would be very easy to just state a clear rule on that product.
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Jun 14th, 2006, 09:11 AM
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On a recent trip from overseas while waiting at baggage I witnessed a little beagle officer complete with badge, with his handler (it was very cute) bust 4 different people bringing in food. The customs officer took pretty much everything. That little dog just sniffed around and then sat next to the bag with food in it. I couldn't help giggle because he did his job so well.Though the people who had their food items taken in probably didn't find it amusing.
Jun 14th, 2006, 09:21 AM
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When the "rules" are "confusiong" how could anything BUT subjectivity not rear its ugly head.
I'm certain the reason Ira had never heard about the tinned f.g. is because he didn't run into the "right" agent....YET!
I'm certain the reason Ira had never heard about the tinned f.g. is because he didn't run into the "right" agent....YET!
Jun 14th, 2006, 09:35 AM
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We went through customs in Cincinnati last week and admitted to bringing in food, afraid the puppy would rat us out, and we were sent to the agricultural guy.
He asked what food we had and we told him we had chocolate, olives, mustard and crackers. He then asked if we had any foie gras and we did not, so can't say what he would have done if we said yes. I've never been asked that specific question before.
He asked what food we had and we told him we had chocolate, olives, mustard and crackers. He then asked if we had any foie gras and we did not, so can't say what he would have done if we said yes. I've never been asked that specific question before.
Jun 14th, 2006, 09:45 AM
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laartista, was that beagle officer at SFO because a beagle officer sniffed out my croissants which were in my backpack, but this was in 2004. He got alot of people who were just waiting for their luggage too.
Jun 14th, 2006, 09:52 AM
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I am glad to hear honey should be ok - I just packed 7 large tins of Greek honey into my check luggage. I would be really upset if it got yanked - I had to throw away 2 pairs of pants, 3 shirts and a towel to get them to fit - lol!
Jun 14th, 2006, 10:08 AM
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I brought back some tinned fois gras from my last trip to Paris, all the while assuming I would get caught. Fortunately, I didn't. Any more, it seems, it's just not worth the trouble to bring back food, no matter how safe it surely is (like the vacuum-sealed and fully cooked sausage I attempted to bring home from Germany - the customs guys had a nice lunch that day).
Thanks for the link to that SF Chronicle article.
Thanks for the link to that SF Chronicle article.
Jun 14th, 2006, 10:11 AM
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Hey murphy,
We brought back several jars of honey and listed it on our customs form - no one even batted so much as an eyelash. I do wish I'd brought home a jar of marinated olives. I wasn't sure if they would be allowed so I didn't buy any. Next time!
We brought back several jars of honey and listed it on our customs form - no one even batted so much as an eyelash. I do wish I'd brought home a jar of marinated olives. I wasn't sure if they would be allowed so I didn't buy any. Next time!
Jun 14th, 2006, 10:21 AM
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Suzie, I never understood that issue of the fois gras you mentioned. We can buy so many imported meats in the US, prosciutto and speck, to name just two, yet they are supposedly illegal for an individual to import. I think it may have to do with the sources of those meats being USDA certified; this is the case with Jamon Iberico, which US vendors will be allowed to import next year, after the USDA has put their seal of approval on the processing plant which I believe is in Denmark of all places.. And of course, markets are filled with imported fruits and vegetables yet an individual traveler cannot bring them home. I am sure the importers have filled out lots of paperwork!
