** Customs- OK to bring back . . .**
 

Can anyone inform if it is OK to bring back to USA some French cheese or any other food products? I brought back Italian parmesiano without a problem. Also, from USA to France, is it allowable to bring a package of lettuce to my French friend who has never seen this variety? How knows US and French custom rules well?

Oops! Thats, "WHO knows US and French custom rules well?"

Web site www.customs.gov has a wealth of information. It states that all "cured cheese" -- but not cottage cheese -- is admissible. -- Does not seem to discriminate against the nationality of the cheese.

Thanks, bo_jack about cheeses. Now wonder about the seeds.

<BR>Rules change quickly...Customs must have a phone number you can call to ask?

My advice to you is to call the port office in the city you will be returning to and get advice. Be sure to talk to a Customs inspector and get the persons name you spoke to. <BR> <BR>Even if you are given bad advice, the worst that will happen is that they will take it from you unless you lie about it and get caught. <BR> <BR>Do the right thing, seek advice and tell the truth. <BR>

Friends of ours had trouble bringing back some cheese, because customs was concerned that there were meat products in the cheese. This was about a year and a half age. If possible then, the best is to leave wrappers on, but the best advice per above is to check with customs.

France allows importation of produce BUT reserves the right to change their minds (imagine that). If you bring lettuce, it may or may not make it through (what, $1.50 for a head? Take a chance. Declare it; if they confiscate it, oh well.) Cheese is a toss up; the big problem is that the really good cheeses in France, like Brie and Camembert, are made with UNpasteurized milk. Big nono here in the U.S. (Lenny Henry on Chef! does a great diatribe on this foolishness). <BR>Re seeds: Into the U.S.? Unless from an "approved" source (ok'd by USDA), not allowed in. Into France? See "lettuce"

Elvira, thanks for the seed info. Here is what I plan: <BR>My friend is a farmer in Loire and has never heard of Italian Arugula. Simply, I thought of bringing a few arugula seed packets to him. Are you sure they may confiscate them? Perhaps I should mail them from New York?

Diane, <BR>Ask your friend if he's heard of roquette. That's what arugula is called in France. (sorry if you already knew this!)

There should be no trouble bringing seeds INTO France; again, the Customs guys can change their collective minds (something about "individual departments reserve the right blah blah blah"). If they are retail packets (like Burpee), you'll have no trouble. <BR>So, like in a year, I'm in a restaurant in Tours, and I can point to my salad and say "hey I know this got here!"

Elvira, glad you read my repy so quickly so I could get my letter off to France w/ or w/o Arugula seed packet. They are not Burpee but another brand and bought in our local nursery. Will bring them to France. Have a wonderful time in restaurant business in Tours. Do serve arugula or roquette! How marvelous an opportunity! <BR> <BR>FRANCESCA, thank you for the French version of arugula. Seem to have seen <BR>"roquette" before in my gourmet and Italian background. So glad you brought it to my attention.

GIRLS: Francesca & Elvira- just looked at package I am sending tomorrow and yes, they are Burpee and YES it says, "ROUETTE" in BIG letters and "arugula" in small! Simply decided to send and avoid custom questions. My husband, the gardener says he always knew of the rouette name for arugula. You live and learn! Thank you both V E R Y much for your good advice.

The only meat you can bring back into the country is meat which is sealed in a can. What are they worried about anyway? Jeeez they can figure out how to ban the inport of a nice piece of sausage but nobody in the government can figure out what to do about guns. <BR> <BR>If you are traveling back to California, they are also very strict about import of fruits and vegetables from far away lands. Eat your apple on the plane or suffer a fine at the check point! California is an argricultural state and one fruit fly could ruin us all!! (guns are ok, they only kill people and there are too many in California anyway). <BR> <BR>

Thank you all! Richard, yes, too many guns in NY also!