Morning all...31 days here
Was just wondering if any of you took. Aussie themed goodies with you (ie Tim Tams etc) for mouse keepers? I was thinking of doing this for Disney as well as our host for our NYC accommodation (we're not staying with him but in his apartment and he's been wonderful!).
I didn't do this last time so not sure if I would need to declare these upon entering the US?
No, we don't take gifts for mouse-keepers, but we're doing FE on our cruise this year and will be taking stuff. As for the food issue, I can definitely help you with that, as we regularly took food from the UK with us on holiday (American tea bags suck!)
The simple answer is: YES, declare. Absolutely, no question about it; it's the same as when you enter Australia - always declare.
If you have food, ANY food, then you should declare it. There are plenty of foods that are acceptable to take into the country. This is normally how it goes for us:
* Fill out the quarantine form and select 'Yes' for food
* Immigration look at your cards and ask 'what food exactly'
* Tell immigration your list of food
* Sometimes they make a note on the card, some times they don't
* Proceed to quarantine and show your card again
* They read and again ask you what food you have
* Tell quarantine what you have
* They will either say: no problem or ask you to put your suitcase through the additional x-ray scanner (where they specifically look for food items)
* Collect your bags from x-ray (if necessary)
* Leave the airport
It's all pretty simple and they will prefer your honesty. If you hide the fact you have food, and then they find it, even if it's allowed it, they will instantly be thinking 'what else is this person hiding' and you don't want to get on their wrong side!
but
at the same time. And I still haven't written any lists. I really need to start.
41 days to go. just saying
