1bhcrashman

Hello everyone.

I've been lurking a lot on this forum and even though I've traveled before to CR, I have nothing new to add that would be helpful so haven't posted before.

I have a question regarding declaring food products at Customs entering CR. We will be staying a little longer than in the past and would like to take some of our favorites that we haven't found in CR before. (Caesar dressing, Cheetos,North American Ketchup, etc.) Is it allowed to put this in checked luggage? Should it be declared?

We can live without any of the above but it would just be nice to have if possible.
Thanks for your replys.

daleb85

I saw most of those products in the super markets in CR, even in the mini marts.
When we went through customs last month our luggage was sent through the x-ray machine but no one ask anything about what we had in it.

volcanogirl

I brought a box of granola bars, and no one said anything about it. They were still sealed though - not sure if that makes a difference. We were surprised at how many American products we found in CR grocery stores; you could get just about anything you wanted.

colibri

You can't take in fruits, veggies, meat, etc. but I believe you are fine with the items you listed. I've taken gumbo and jambalaya mix for friends along with Tabasco sauce, granola bars, cappuccino mix and have never had any trouble at customs. I haven't declared anything I've taken.

Jeff_Costa_Rica

Customs x-rays all bags coming into the country. They'll see what you have. As said above, packaged foods should be fine. Also as said above, you can probably find those things in Costa Rica.

volcanogirl

I think as long as you don't have produce/meat you should be fine. Hopefully, nothing breaks in transit - Cheetos, ketchup, and dressing could be a messy combo!

1bhcrashman

Thanks for your answers. I think we will put it in the luggage and declare it. They have never checked the declarations in the past anyway and we'll be legal if they do. (We might just lose some dressing.)
Volcanogirl--you are right. I think I'll double Ziploc bag everything.

volcanogirl

Sounds like a good plan!