I'm traveling from the US to London this month and want to surprise my daughter by bringing her favorite cake. (She is currently studying in London.)

Does anyone have any experience as to whether this is allowed? In case it matters, it is a pound cake and is easily transported.

Thank you.

As far as security in the US I don't think you would have a problem. Pack it so you can send it through the scanner.

I would think you could take it to London since it is cooked.

A friend of ours took a cake to France and had no problem; so I don't think you have to worry (except about where to put it during the flight).

Another vote that it's probably fine. A friend's British mother brought the most exquisite-looking cake with her from London to the States at Christmastime. So it works in either direction!

Thanks very much. I did search this on several customs sites, but only managed to confuse myself. I appreciate the feedback.

If at all possible, find a tin that the cake will fit in - then you won't have to worry about it getting crushed. You can probably get a fruitcake tin that would fot a poundcake.

That's a really excellent suggestion.

HM Customs doesn't set rules: it merely enforces other ministries' rules. THe rules on this are at http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/ille...f/guidance.pdf

Cakes are fine (though cakes with lots of cream might fall under the dairy import regulations referred to at http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/ille...w/whatfood.htm). 99.99% of the time you're unaware there is Customs control coming into the UK anyway.

We have neither luggage-sniffing dogs, nor interrogation of arriving passengers.