Very good point! When I returned from Italy recently, I declared "cheeses and dried beans" on my form. No one blinked an eye about the cheese, or asked what kind--

The only item I was questioned on were the dried beans. They did not make me go in a special Ag line, though..I just passed through the regular customs area, with my purchases intact.

>Thanks to all, that checks out with the Dept. of Agriculture site as well.<

It's good to know that the USDA agrees with us.

It is the USDA, not Customs, that sets the rules. Which products may be imported can change depending on what goes on in the word that week. Thus, sometimes canned foie gras is OK, sometimes not. Ditto for all other meat products.

In addition, the Customs Inspectors aren't always up to date on the latest regs, so one person's goods might be stopped while another's is allowed through.

Remember: "One man's meat is another's poisson"..

I tried bringing it (FG) back when bird flu or whatever that disease was prevelant. ANd I did ask to speak to a supervisor with no luck.

I was bringing back octupus (canned) once and was told it was meat! The supervisor had to tell the agent it was a sea creature. I don't think they know as much as they think they do!

ira,
<i>"One man's meat is another's poisson"</i>

Shouldn't that be "One man's fish is another man's poisson."

There was a very funny movie that dealt with this years ago. I think Sophia Loren was trying to enter the country with an italian sausage. I wish I could remember the title

Nope no meats and i have witnessed the Beagle Brigade at our international airport in trying to sniff out sausages, etc. from Italy in particular

I came back and i had one carrot in my daypack so realizing that i cannot bring in food or at least in the case of a carrot possibly not - meat no but some food items can come in - and i took the carrot out of my daypack and ate it whilst waiting for my bags to appear on the carousel

and voila a beagle dog comes up to my daypack, on the floor, and plops her/his head right on my daypack and won't budget. The handler said it was a food hound and asked if i had any food - i said no but i did have a carrot in there until a few minutes ago - that was enough - just the smell for the hound to react. Customs guy said they especially are looking for folks from Italy who like to smuggle meat in

so i suggest not trying even.

Had to give up our dried cured sausage two weeks ago upon arrival in Atlanta from Rome. Didn't want to chance a $500 fine for one sausage. Ag guys were really nice though. They said absolutely no pork whatsoever at this time...swine flu I think he said. Oh well..live and learn. I wouldn't suggest trying to smuggle it in though...the fine is just too big. Definitely not worth it.

Michele

Hi spa,

>Shouldn't that be "One man's fish is another man's poisson."<

Not necessarily.

It's akin to asking, "Your plaice or mine"?