jul4

Hi we are leaving to Costa Rica next week. Online I have seen that you can’t bring in fruits vegetables which I expected. I do not see anything saying you can not bring in cooked meat or chicken or cheese ( from the USA) but yesterday a friend flew into Liberia and had her cheese taken away and almost had her deli meat and chicken ( with clear packaging indicating from here). In case you are curious I have food restrictions and allergies so much easier to just bring my own food. Is there a set rule or does it depend who is at customs each day? Anyone flown lately and brought in food with no trouble? Thanks

volcanogirl

I know there are restrictions on fruits, vegetables, seeds, and plants. We've brought in our own sealed snacks like nuts and granola bars without any problems. I believe that if the packaging is still sealed you can bring items in, but I haven't seen it in writing.

Jeff_Costa_Rica

I'm not sure what you mean by ."cooked meat or chicken or cheese" and "deli meat." I can't picture those things being allowed in.

jul4

. I meant bringing in things like packaged cheese or cooked chicken ( as opposed to raw chicken). By deli meat I mean things like corned beef and pastrami. sorry for confusion. Not sure where you are from but those are commonly eaten foods here in USA.

volcanogirl

Is the issue that you need your food to be Kosher?

jul4

yes and I am aware that we can get some kosher food there but I also have food allergies so I prefer to bring as much as I can from home.

Jeff_Costa_Rica

Sure. I know what deli meat is. It was unclear how you plan to transport it.

You're going to ask the person behind the deli counter for a pound of corned beef. They will slice it and wrap it in plastic and/or paper and give it to you? No one is going to let you bring that through customs. You can try and declare it, but don't count on it getting through. An individual bringing meat into another country is generally not a thing.

volcanogirl

I've read on other travel boards that people have brought in meats and cheeses; some have had it confiscated and some haven't. It seems to help if the package is sealed, but you're taking a risk, and it could be confiscated, no guarantees unfortunately.

november_moon

I don't think that there is a clear yes or no answer - you might get through or you might not. Lunch meat or cheese that comes in a sealed package like from Hillshire Farms is more likely to get through than meat from a deli - I would expect that meat or cheese from a deli would be a no-go, but that a package sealed from the packing plant might pass. I wouldn't count on it though. Countries tend to be really finicky about allowing meat in.

jul4

Thanks for all your input. All food will be prepackaged and have USDA deal. Wish me luck. I will do a full trip report when I get home !!

volcanogirl

Good luck! Let us know how it goes!

jul4

When we landed all the bags were x-rayed but we did not see them check a single one. Also it was weird because there were no customs forms in the plane or when landing. BUT if you are going you should know that we may have just been lucky because on the plane they announced that we should beware because sometimes they do not allow food to be brought in so maybe sometimes they are strict.

volcanogirl

That's good - that would be a shame to have things confiscated. They zinged me once because they thought I had avocados in my bag. On further inspection, it was a pair of shoes!

Jeff_Costa_Rica

I'm glad it turned out okay for you, but I really think you got lucky. I don't think the takeaway from this is that it will be all right to bring meat in.

ohiotraveler2020

I would not try to bring in deli meat. You can get many American brands (although you will pay more) such as boars head, Eckrich, etc in the grocery stores. You won't find them in stores like Maxi Pali but try Auto Mercardo and some Wal Marts