carrots and apples in checked baggage?

[waltdisneymama]

Hello! I tried searching for this, but am unsure and am wondering what other's experiences have been: I have some snacks (unopened bags of nuts, fruit bars and granola bars, etc.) that I have packed in my checked baggage to go from Calgary to Orlando - I have done this before from Calgary to California, so I assume this will be fine. (?) This trip, in a few days, however, I would also like to pack a 3-lb unopened bag of apples and 5-lb unopened bag of carrots in my checked baggage - has anyone done this? I ran across something saying that fruit needed stickers on them to show a Canada or U.S. origin, but the apples I like (organic PC) have no stickers on them; they are just bagged. Am I better off taking different apples that have stickers? If I take these items, will I need to indicate when I check in at the airport that I have fruit/veggies in my checked baggage? I don't care if they open my bags when they go through security, but I don't want to delay anything in the process of checking in... thank you very much to anyone able to answer!

 

[kathie859]

Hello! I tried searching for this, but am unsure and am wondering what other's experiences have been: I have some snacks (unopened bags of nuts, fruit and granola bars, etc.) that I have packed in my checked baggage to go from Calgary to Orlando - I have done this before from Calgary to California, so I assume this will be fine. (?) This trip, in a few days, however, I would also like to pack a 3-lb unopened bag of apples and 5-lb unopened bag of carrots in my checked baggage - has anyone done this? I ran across something saying that fruit needed stickers on them to show a Canada or U.S. origin, but the apples I like (organic PC) have no stickers on them; they are just bagged. Am I better off taking different apples that have stickers? If I take these items, will I need to indicate when I check in at the airport that I have fruit/veggies in my checked baggage? I don't care if they open my bags when they go through security, but I don't want to delay anything in the process of checking in... thank you very much to anyone able to answer!

As I understand, the produce must be marked as produced in Canada. Is the bag of apples and carrots securely closed and clearly printed on the bag as being grown in Canada? You may want to check the USDA site for current exclusion information.

 

[waltdisneymama]

Kathie859, the apples indicate grown in USA,but they have a bread bag type closure, so easy to remove (maybe too easy)...the carrots have a secure plastic closure and indicate grown in AB. I actually called Westjet and was directed to the US import site, but find it a bit confusing. Maybe I will just forget the idea...but I should still be okay with the unopened bags of nuts, granola bars, fruit bars, craisins and dried apricots? Since the items containing fruit aren't "fresh" fruit, I don't have to declare those at Customs or wherever, hey?

 

[Fivers]

I tried to go through customs once with an apple in my bag (going to LA), and when I mentioned it I got told that I either had to eat it then and there or dump it. That was quite a few years ago, but I've never tried to bring fruit with me since. I've always brought unopened nuts and granola bars though, and they've never had a problem with those, and I write that I have them on the customs form. Not sure about dried fruit, if you could report back it would be much appreciated, that would be a great snack to be able to bring!

 

[2gr8DisneyKids]

Fresh fruits and vegetables are not allowed across the border and if found you face a $10,000 fine. It is on the us border control site and we were even questioned specifically about fruit when we drove across at Easter .

Since apples and carrots are something easily found at Disney it is not worth the potential fine.

 

[keaster]

If you go to this website, you can enter your country and it'll tell you what fruit and vegetables are allowed to be brought into the U.S.:

https://epermits.aphis.usda.gov/manual/index.cfm?ACTION=pubHome

However you DO have to declare you have them and from this paragraph from the USBP site, I think you have to have them with you for inspection:

Every fruit or vegetable must be declared to a CBP Agriculture Specialist or CBP Officer and must be presented for inspection - regardless of its admissibility status. Fresh fruits and vegetables need to be clean and may be prohibited if they have insects or diseases.

Failure to declare food products can result in up to $10,000 in fines and penalties.

 

[waltdisneymama]

Well, for sure I won't bring the apples and carrots, lol!! Thanks for the responses!

Hmm, and now I am wondering if I shouldn't bring the fruit snacks in my checked baggage, although I know I did this a few years back when we went to California. If I remember properly, I don't think I declared it or anything - I think I asked the airline employee at the check-in desk, who said it was just fresh fruits and veggies that I'd need to include on the form. But I'm having a hard time remembering... if I declare "fruit" because of the fruit bars, will we be delayed in some way, does anyone know?

 

[Fivers]

I expect they'll ask you what it is. I'd either pack them at the top of your suitcase or bring them carry-on, and be prepared that they might ask you to throw them out at customs. I've never had a problem at customs as long as you say what you have, they'll tell you if you can bring it or not. As long as you're up front, I doubt that you'd be delayed.

Good luck!

 

[bankr63]

If I declare "fruit" because of the fruit bars, will we be delayed in some way, does anyone know?

Can anyone know? Probably not. The only safe tactic is to be honest and declare. We always take homemade GORP and jerky on our flights as DS has a food allergy and can't eat anything that they serve on the plane. I always say yes to fruit/veg and meat. I've been asked about it a couple of times, and have never had a problem (and as I read the regulations, I shouldn't have a problem.) But let's do a little risk/reward analysis.

1) I declare the fruit and meat
2) The US agent can:

a) ignore it
b) ask about it
​

3) If s/he asks about it, I explain what it is.
4) The agent can:

a) let me go, it's not a problem
b) give me a stern warning, and let it go (had this once)
c) tell me to dump it and move on (never happened to us yet)
d) pull us aside (but shouldn't happen because up until now, we've been honest and haven't done anything wrong)​

5) For 4b I can:

a) nod, thank them and move on
b) fight for my rights and pretty much automatically guarantee a missed flight and ruined vacation
​

6) For 4c I can:

a) dump them in the nearest garbage can, and be out $20, but guarantee my happy vacation. But:

i) I have a cranky unfed teenager to deal with on the flight down, and
ii) once I'm down in Disney I can spend $20 per bag buying half-ounce bags of replacement snacks​

So the risk was worth it
b) fight for my rights and pretty much automatically guarantee a missed flight and ruined vacation
​

7) and if 4d happens, well face it, the agent is having a really bad day, or just hates families wearing mouse ears, and was probably going to ruin things for your family one way or another...

 

[waltdisneymama]

Thanks, everyone! Makes sense. Bankr63, I like the way you broke it down

 

[lisaviolet]

Hit and miss. Hit and miss at Canadian airports and at border crossings.

I know everything there is to know. Cause I declare every single time. And always have fruit or vegetables on me. At border crossings - I have some that simply don't care. I had one say it was okay if it was this or that or grown here or there and I don't have to worry about it.

Are you ready?

After being told it was ABSOLUTELY okay for an apple by a US border guard at crossing - an entire speech actually - I declared one apple at Pearson and got immediately sent to THAT ROOM.

That room. Me with an apple. Most others with serious immigration issues. and two men with some legal issues beyond immigration. ME WITH AN APPLE. The worker had to hide his face that I was sent over with my apple.

So WHO really has an answer.

That's why I LOVE flying from Buffalo. Go over shop for produce. Stick them in a checked suitcase and if packed correctly - it's all good. And I can eat fruit on the trip!

Why do this?

Produce is awful in Florida (except at WDW). Including citrus. I find it strange that it's so poor in the supermarkets.

And apples cost an outrageous price.

 

[lisaviolet]

Jamaicans are the best with their mangoes. I'm talking those I know.

They always try to bring them in - apparently fruit and vegetables grown there taste differently a la better.

And when they're caught many are known to take a bite before they are confiscated. Because they don't want the customs officers to have them.

 

[DonnaBoo]

That's why I LOVE flying from Buffalo. Go over shop for produce. Stick them in a checked suitcase and if packed correctly - it's all good. And I can eat fruit on the trip!

Flying out of Manchester this trip. Like the idea of picking up food to take with us to Disney.
Just curious about your statement on packing correctly. I could use some pointers.
Thanks