Bit confused with...

[OrlandoMagic]

... taking food in your suitcases.

As we only eat cerial in the mornings we were hoping to take a few boxes and some sugar with us in our suitcases instead of buying it from a supermarket over there.

I was reading The Brit's Guide last night and noticed it said not to take food with you in your checked bags but I thought it was just stuff like meat, dairy and fruits that you couldn't pack and now im a bit confused!

Can anyone clear this up for me?

Thanks!

 

[Pegasus928]

I got the following from the US Customs and Border Protection website via their FAQ section.
The way I read it is that cereals and sugar would be allowed - though to be honest we just buy everything we need from Walmart when we get there. Everything my kids eat for breakfast at home they sell in the supermarkets over there.

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=subtitle>Question</TD></TR><TR><TD class=textcell> </TD><TD class=textcell id=desc>Can I bring in food as a traveler (fruit, cheese, meat, etc)?
(The information contained in this answer does not apply to food being sent to the U.S. through the mail, courier services or other means.)
</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=subtitle> </TD><TD class=subtitle>Answer</TD></TR><TR><TD class=textcell> </TD><TD class=textcell id=soln>Many fruits and vegetables are either prohibited from entering the United States or require an import permit (for commercial importers) or a phytosanitary certificate from the country of origin. Every fruit or vegetable must be declared to a CBP Officer and must be presented for inspection - no matter how free of pests it appears to be.
Failure to declare food products can result in a $10,000 fine. See special guidelines for produce from Canada below.

Meats, livestock, poultry, and their products are either prohibited or restricted from entering the United States, depending on the animal disease condition in the country of origin. Fresh meat is generally prohibited from most countries. Canned, cured, or dried meat is severely restricted from some countries. See special guidelines for animal products from Canada below, and our Q&A on meat, poultry and swine products for a more complete discussion of food items from those sources.

Bakery items, candy, chocolate, and cured cheese are generally admissible. Canned goods and goods in vacuum packed jars (other than those containing meat or poultry products)are also generally admissible if being imported for personal use.

Dairy items such as milk, yogurt, butter are generally admissible, although this is subject to change, depending on disease outbreaks. Eggs may be admissible, although frequent outbreaks of Exotic Newcastles Disease and avian flu make it very likely that they will be denied entry. Hard cured cheese such as parmesan or cheddar are generally admissible, soft cheeses such as brie and soft curd cheese and cheese in water(ricotta, feta, etc.) are not.
Cooked and raw poultry is permitted from Canada except from the province of Saskatchewan. However, to bring poultry products from any province in Canada into the United States, you must have proof of the origin of the poultry. For example, proof of origin would be the grocery stores receipt where the product was purchased, or the label on the product indicates the province in which it was packaged
Fish, if it is for your personal use, is generally admissible.

Condiments such as oil, vinegar, mustard, catsup, pickles, syrup, honey, jelly, jam, etc., are generally admissible.


Other then the above general guidelines, it is impossible to advise you in this forum about the admissibility of specific food items because it is so susceptible to change. Disease and pest outbreaks, which impact the admissibility status of fresh and packaged food items, occur all over the world at a moments notice.

Failure to declare all food products can result in civil penalties.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture establishes criteria for the admissibility of plant, dairy and meat products returning with travelers and they have the final say about what may be admitted into the U.S. The USDA web site has somewhat more detailed information for travelers, and they can be contacted at 301-734-0814 or 1-877-770-5990 for information about the admissibility of plant or plant products.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Why on earth would you want to take cereals and sugar into the USA?
Its not a third world country, they do have such things and actually in greater variety than the UK

 

[Mad4WDW]

This poses a little question for me!

I am taking some chocolate bars for the american friend I am meeting over there (milky way bars) plus some chocolate covered strawberries. These are like the freeze dried strawberries...would these need to be declared being fruit?

Leaving tomorrow so any help before I finalise my suitcase is appreciated lol! (might even pack them in my hand luggage?)

Thanks

 

[OrlandoMagic]

Why on earth would you want to take cereals and sugar into the USA?
Its not a third world country, they do have such things and actually in greater variety than the UK

Please read my original question, I was asking CAN I take cereals with me, not SHOULD I?!

We are on a tight budget and there are a few reasons I would like to take my own cereals with me, these are:

1) We are not driving so can not get to a walmart. Last time we went we were bying small boxes of Kellogs cereals for about $7 a box from Walgreens which was the only supermarket we can get to.

2) I dont actually like most of the cereals you can get at the supermarkets in the US.

3) I just want to!!!

Anyway, thanks to those that have bothered to try and help me!

 

[cazzie]

My hubby wants to take some brown sauce as he likes it with his eggs at breakfast.

 

[Lizzy Lemon]

I took those small boxes of cereal that you buy in a sealed pack of 8 (do you know what I mean?)packed 2 packs of those for mornings when we didn't have breakfast plans elsewhere. We too did not have transport. I know people say just go to Walmarts but not everyone is able to. I have taken chocolates for gifts for people in the past also.

 

[OrlandoMagic]

I took those small boxes of cereal that you buy in a sealed pack of 8 (do you know what I mean?)packed 2 packs of those for mornings when we didn't have breakfast plans elsewhere. We too did not have transport. I know people say just go to Walmarts but not everyone is able to. I have taken chocolates for gifts for people in the past also.

Thank you Wendy, nice to know someone else takes cereals with them!

So you dont need to declare them at customs?

Does anyone else take sugar with them? Only reason we want to is because the last time we went we were in Walgreens and could not find a bag of granulated sugar anywhere!

 

[cazzie]

I know it's been a few years since I stayed on the I Drive but when we were at the Raddison there was a small supermarket close by a few doors away from the Pondreosa and there was a supermarket accross the road (could have been a Goodings but can't remember) and they sold sugar. Like you we didn't have transport so used the supermarkets close by. They are expensive if you want English food but for snacks etc they were a lot cheaper than Disney.

 

[torsie24]

I'm sure cereal won't be a problem at all. I'd be thinking similar if we didn't so love american foods!

If there are other groceries you are after though check out www.gardengrocer.com

We have ordered loads of stuff through them, bagels, bread, sandwich stuff, cereal, milk, TWINKIES, bottles of water (32 bottles for $7!), paper bowls etc. etc.

Should save us a lot of $$ during the trip, and means I can have Mountain Dew, as i hear Disney don't do it!

 

[DjdBrit]

As an Ex-pat living in the US who frequently travels back and forth to Blighty with my kids I will give you this advice: If you kids want cereal and you want everyone to be happy including you bring it from home. I always bring my kids comfort food to England, this keeps everyone happy and it saves me the dirty looks when I offer them something new

Examples of stuff I bring back from the UK and stuff I bring to the UK are:
Beer
Goldfish crackers
Chips (crisps)
Andrews
Malteasers
Curry (many, many packets)
Twiglets
Oxo cubes
Thorntons Chocolates
Buttons
Granola Bars
Animal Crackers
Cereal (sometimes I carry on little boxes as its a great dry snack)


Feel free to PM if you have any questions

 

[scotlass]

I came on to start a thread askin about things I could take...if OP doesnt mind I will just ask in here !!

I am meetin up with some US dissers and I was going to make them up wee "Scottish foods and sweets " bags.

Just Oak cakes,shortbread,Edinburgh rock ,tunnocks tea cakes and waffers that sort of thing.

After readin posts in here I think Im ok but if anyone thinks other wise I would like to know..

Thanks.

 

[wideeyes]

What do you do about bowls? just wondering as I don't really like using the paper bowls, would it be to strange to take some tubawear(sp). I was thinking of taking a few things over next year as I don't drive and will be staying in a studio so will be having breakfast there.

 

[ccgirl]

If you are staying in a studio, they have all the bowls/plates/glasses/silverware/cooking utensils there for you already so you don't have to worry about them. I always pack some plastic baggies to carry snacks to the park with me though.

 

[wayneg]

If you are staying in a studio, they have all the bowls/plates/glasses/silverware/cooking utensils there for you already so you don't have to worry about them. I always pack some plastic baggies to carry snacks to the park with me though.

Just got back from OKW studio, only paper plates/bowls and plastic silverware.

 

[loobylou44]

What do you do about bowls? just wondering as I don't really like using the paper bowls, would it be to strange to take some tubawear(sp). I was thinking of taking a few things over next year as I don't drive and will be staying in a studio so will be having breakfast there.

The first year we went to Florida we stayed in Springhill Suites at Lake Buena Vista and we had a mini kitchen so although there was a buffet breakfast included in the price, we often ate cereal in our room and we took plastic bowls plates with us.

 

[Pegasus928]

What do you do about bowls? just wondering as I don't really like using the paper bowls, would it be to strange to take some tubawear(sp). I was thinking of taking a few things over next year as I don't drive and will be staying in a studio so will be having breakfast there.

If you have the small individual packs of Kellogs/Nestle, the plasticy bag inside the cardboard box (keep up with me now) is waterproof so I, in the past, have just poured the milk straight into there while it still in the box and eaten them that way.

Not quite on the same level as the people in the Crunchy Nut ads - but almost.

 

[cazzie]

What do you do about bowls? just wondering as I don't really like using the paper bowls, would it be to strange to take some tubawear(sp). I was thinking of taking a few things over next year as I don't drive and will be staying in a studio so will be having breakfast there.

If you are not sure then you could always take a couple of plastic bowls in your suitcase I wouldn't think they would weigh heavy. I love my cup of tea in the morning but don't like it out of the plastic refillable mug so rather than pay $10 for a mug at Disney I shall take a couple of mugs and bin them when we leave, lol I also take my PG tea bags as the tea onsite is yuk.

 

[scotlass]

If you have the small individual packs of Kellogs/Nestle, the plasticy bag inside the cardboard box (keep up with me now) is waterproof so I, in the past, have just poured the milk straight into there while it still in the box and eaten them that way.

Not quite on the same level as the people in the Crunchy Nut ads - but almost.

I am a Kelloggs addict.....I realised on friday night I had had 13 plates of Rice Krispies since tuesday and nothing else.

BUT,take me to Florida and they never pass my lips.

The two weeks on holiday is the only time I eat real food regularly.


Food addiction is a wee " problem " I have...dont get me started on the creme egg phase !!

 

[wideeyes]

If you have the small individual packs of Kellogs/Nestle, the plasticy bag inside the cardboard box (keep up with me now) is waterproof so I, in the past, have just poured the milk straight into there while it still in the box and eaten them that way.

Not quite on the same level as the people in the Crunchy Nut ads - but almost.

Ah, I get you, I would eat them like that however I think that would be messy with my DD though.
At uni they sell them in the pastic containers like at the food court,(like yoghut pots, maybe I will stock up on some of them.)

I will be defenitly be taking tea bags as I don't really like twinnings,(which they also sell at uni so I take my own tea bags there too)