Surfergirl

Yes to Amora mustard -- so cheap and so hard to get in the States.

Yes to fleur de sel -- but with a twist: since I first discovered piment d'espelette, this last trip I stocked up on it. This is a wonderful spice you can buy on its own, or a fleur de sel mix, or in oil or in vinegar.

Just remember IF you get it in a liquid, like the vinegar -- either put it in your checked baggage or make sure the bottle is small enough to allow as carry on. I bought a nice big bottle from a market in Ste Maxime of espelette flavored vinegar, and popped it in my carry on, only to have it unceremoniously dumped by security at the Nice airport. Fortunately, due to a plane delay, there was a nice Provencal duty free store following customs at Nice airport where they had L'Olivier vinagre avec piment d'espelette, and I was able to buy 2 at 13 euro each, and because they seal it with a duty free sticker, when I had to go through security again in Paris, I just had to show the sealed bottles with the security form, and I got it through.

The one item I wish I had bought more of and didn't was a new perfume fragrance from Fragonard -- called Belle Cherie. I bought the tiny gold bottle because I wasn't sure if it was going to be too stinky (I have weird chemistry and sometimes ones that are a little flowery or citrusy change on my skin after a little while and smell putrid). But this new fragrance did NOT go south -- to the contrary, it stayed fresh and mellowed. And Fragonard is still only exporting the eau de toilette since it's so new. So the tiny bottle is just not going to last until my next trip!

Avalon2

Don't be so sure your Foie Gras will make it thru customs.I had 100 dollars worth confiscated . It was in cans! I had an agent once try to confiscate canned squid. She thought it was some kind of cattle!! Her supervisor informed her it was a sea creasture she was amazed!!

denisea

Exactly Avalon, a work colleague had her foie gras (in tins) confiscated. I have had no problem with mustard, confiture, tea, cookies/biscuits, but I would just be too PO'd to have something taken, so I don't bother with cheese/meat products regardless of the printed rules. It's too bad it turns out that way for many....I do agree it might work to have the printed rules and get a supervisor depending on how much time you want to spend arguing your case. After an 8 hour flight, I just want to get out of Hartsfield and go home.

Shanna

I worked with APHIS for several years. They used to be the folks who confiscated food. But that group went over to Homeland Security and the rules have changed because DHS is a lot more "cop" like. Previously you could bring in close to anything that was manufactured and in a sealed container. Now, it's a roll of the dice, so better safe than sorry. And those dogs are good! I once had an apple in a handbag that I ate on the plane coming home (ate the apple, not the handbag). Waiting for my luggage, that cute little beagle sat down right next to my bag but his handler accepted my explanation once she checked my bag. But I also know the damage done when things get overlooked. The mad cow disease in England was the result of someone bringing in meat from India. It's amazing, but based on all sorts of scientific scrutiny, they can actually determine the day some items are brought in. Our gov't spends millions repairing the damage to U.S. agriculture, so be a good citizen and don't try to sneak things in.

easytraveler

Shanna: <i>(ate the apple, not the handbag)</i>

Thank goodness!

Shanna: do you know what happens to all the stuff that's confiscated? Does it end up in a landfill someplace or are they taken home by some one or are they sold...???

dutyfree

Hey guys-don't care if you believe me on what is brought through.I don't "moonlight as a customs agent" but if you go through customs and agriculture every week for work, you do see and observe what is being taken than the average person going on their yearly vacations-just saying.
Things like goat cheese and other soft cheeses have been taken before and things like fresh foie gras are definitely looked for.
For example-Those lovely special sealed pork products that you bought in the duty free shop at the airport that they told you were okay-ah no.
Those lovely flower bulbs that you bought in Amsterdam without the special tag on them-taken.
Things like bread products,spices,tea,herbes,wines,etc. are fine. Just be aware that fruit,veggies and meat products are a big NO NO.
It all depends on what agents are working or if they have gotten any tipoffs as sometimes a whole flight will have to go through agriculture.I was just trying to help-

cigalechanta

They took away my olive branches because I did not notice one dried olive clinging.

djkbooks

The Maille "Digon Originale" in our supermarkets is now labelled "Hot" and it is just not the same.

kerouac

Take a look at the Maggi or Knorr cubes -- there are a number of herbal varieties (garlic, tarragon, chives...) that have nothing to do with the usual poultry or beef cubes.

Gretchen

Well apparently my begging them not to take my (tinned) foie gras worked. Of course you can't bring in fresh!! and of course you can't bring in agricultural products. I take back what I said about bread--apparently you can, but a day old baguette would only be confiscated as a weapon, not a food. LOL
That's an interesting idea about the dried soup!! Thanks.

Christina

I would presume the stuff confiscated is destroyed, what else are they going to do with it. Besides, the point of confiscating it is that it could contain a pest. I've brought in ground coffee, but it was in a sealed foil pouch. I've also brought in white pepper corns in a small pouch, although I was surprised they didn't take them as that is some agricultural product that could have a pest, I suppose. I would not try to bring in any kind of branch or long stems of some grain product, etc., or the kind of things you might see in a wreath. That was what was confiscated in the guy's luggage I saw. Of course I've seen them confiscate fruit.

Candy is no problem, of course.

menachem

Speculoos spread.

Also, for batterie de cuisine and great kitchen stuff and a shopping experience that resembles some weird esoteric ritual, go to Dehillerin

http://www.e-dehillerin.fr/index.php

(note: you point out what you want to the sales assistants in the blue work jackets, they put your implement somewhere safe while you are directed to the counter, and asked to jot down your name and address so a "facture" can be made. This is then handed to you by madame behind the counter, you pay her, then get handed the invoice and a reçu, which you show to the sales assistant who then hands you your paraphernalia.)

An extensive collection, and they discourage "just browsers", because they're a store for working chefs, so just ask what you need to have. last time I went I bought lots of things for bread making. Whatever is in their catalogue they have in stock in their store. Wonderful place.

menachem

Bread from Poilane keeps for 5 days or so. They even ship it around the world.

AndrewLondon

Macaroons from Laduree on the left bank near Odeon and have tea and cake in their teashop before you buy some

Shanti

Do either of the cookware stores sell garlic presses? I've had no success in finding one around here that works well and doesn't break quickly. I would be delighted to buy a good one in Paris.

And speaking of garlic, the dog at customs had no problem finding a bulb of garlic that I had forgotten about in my luggage.

Gretchen

Kuhn Rikon on Amazon is a good one. I use my microplane for garlic.

jddet

You may bring back any type of cheese from France as long as it is vacuum-packed. If you go into a fromagerie asked the person helping you to pack your cheese "sous-vide". In nine trips to France I have never had trouble bringing cheese into the U.S. as long as it's sealed this way. At my favorite cheese shop in the 7 arr., Anne Cantin, I purchase a great deal of cheese and ask them to mark the package to indicate when the cheese is ready to eat. It's a nice way extend your vacation at home. Also I just pack it into checked luggage because the cargo hold is usally pretty cold when I travel.
This is not the case with meat, however. They will not let you bring meat into the U.S. that is not canned.

menachem

@Shanti, just visit dehillerin and find out. They have a big display of small kitchen items you can rummage through.

Shanti

Thanks, menachem and Gretchen. I'll check out both.

FREDMADCEL

I brought back a fresh baguette - back ( customs just thought I was stupid) - wasn't very good as bread (15hrs en transit but made great croutons and was a great topic of conversation at the dinner table. Cured meats esp on a flight from Spain no - no. I have a feeling they keep better notes that we think.