Stupid question about International flights

[Parkhopper]

I have never flown out of the Country before, so I really do not know the answer to this question. I know that you are never supposed to bring fruit from one Country to another, but is it okay if you bring in dried fruit?

I am going to be going on a cruise and I have been dieting since last October (I am down 60lbs so far!) and I would love to be able to bring some of the healthier snacks that I know I really like that do not cause me to gain weight.

Two of my most favorite snacks are almonds and Trader Joes Super Cranberry and Pomegranate blend dried fruit.

Will I be okay going through Customs with this or will it cause problems?

Suzi

 

[friendofgusgus]

We need more info.

Where are you flying to?

Where are you cruising?

In many cases you may bring things with you onto the cruise ship but you may not take any agricultural products back home with you - even your own leftovers.

 

[MinnieFan4ever]

Are they the kind that come in sealed packages?

 

[liamsaunt]

Every country has different regulations regarding what you can bring in. What country are you cruising out of?

Another thought: why not check with your cruise line to see if they have the types of food you like to eat available on the ship? Almonds and dried cranberries are not an unusual snack.

Congratulations on your weight loss!

 

[mommasita]

Yes, you could bring that. Make sure it is sealed and unopened.

When you disembark the ship however, you could not IF it is open. Also, certain ports of call have laws about what food you can bring in/out.

If it is to eat while onboard (sounds like it is). No problem.

A BIG congratulations to you on the weight loss

 

[Parkhopper]

I am cruising to Alaska which I know is part of the United States, but we leave out of Vancouver, B.C. I just don't want to do anything overtly stupid on my first time through Customs.

I was wanting to bring several pouches of the dried fruit...one to snack on while on the plane (and I will be happy to dispose of any excess if necessary) and a couple of sealed pouches to bring with me on the cruise.

I don't think that the ports of call will be any problem because they are all US ports.

Suzi

 

[Uuaww]

this is my actual job...

 

[Uuaww]

Ok folks. Different fruits from different places are allowed/not allowed. meats are very tricky and should be avoided. fruits on the other hand can be found on FAVIR (search usda favir). That website will tell you if a fruit is allowed to come in from a specific country, and can be used by the public.

Dried fruit is still fruit, there is no difference. The only difference would be if it was cooked or processed.

If you have any specific questions, let me know, this this is you know... my job haha.

On the DIS while at work, answering questions about my job.

 

[LindaM]

I am cruising to Alaska which I know is part of the United States, but we leave out of Vancouver, B.C. I just don't want to do anything overtly stupid on my first time through Customs.

I was wanting to bring several pouches of the dried fruit...one to snack on while on the plane (and I will be happy to dispose of any excess if necessary) and a couple of sealed pouches to bring with me on the cruise.

I don't think that the ports of call will be any problem because they are all US ports.

Suzi

Actually the ports of call are more strict, we did the Alaska cruise last year out of Vancouver. There was an older couple ahead of us getting off the ship in Juneau and were told it was not allowed to take an apple or coffee from the ship onto shore due to regulations. You may want to check with the cruise line your are cruising with.

 

[Parkhopper]

Actually the ports of call are more strict, we did the Alaska cruise last year out of Vancouver. There was an older couple ahead of us getting off the ship in Juneau and were told it was not allowed to take an apple or coffee from the ship onto shore due to regulations. You may want to check with the cruise line your are cruising with.

That is good to know. I had no idea that it could be a potential problem as all are U.S. ports.

 

[Parkhopper]

Ok folks. Different fruits from different places are allowed/not allowed. meats are very tricky and should be avoided. fruits on the other hand can be found on FAVIR (search usda favir). That website will tell you if a fruit is allowed to come in from a specific country, and can be used by the public.

Dried fruit is still fruit, there is no difference. The only difference would be if it was cooked or processed.

If you have any specific questions, let me know, this this is you know... my job haha.

On the DIS while at work, answering questions about my job.

Sounds like I will be leaving the dried fruit at home. Thank you for chiming in to help. Since you seem to be very knowledgeable, are there any problems with nuts (almonds specifically)?

Suzi

 

[Uuaww]

no.

 

[Micca]

Geez you're already down 60 pounds, just stick with snickers

 

[Parkhopper]

Geez you're already down 60 pounds, just stick with snickers

I have worked SO hard to take the weight off that I really do not want to do anything to put any weight on at this point. Even just maintaining my weight has been a daily challenge. I *do* intend to indulge in one or two splurges on the cruise, but I also intend to keep a very close eye on how things are going.

I was just hoping to have one or two snack options that are a "known quantity" for me to be able to fall back on, if necessary.

Suzi

 

[Uuaww]

Sounds like I will be leaving the dried fruit at home. Thank you for chiming in to help. Since you seem to be very knowledgeable, are there any problems with nuts (almonds specifically)?

Suzi

You don't have to, remember. US Customs only will care about fruits entering the US, the other country is the one that cares about fruit coming in. Check with what is allowed from the foreign country. Or an easier but less reliable way is to see what is allowed to enter the US from Canada (North America).

 

[Micca]

I have worked SO hard to take the weight off that I really do not want to do anything to put any weight on at this point. Even just maintaining my weight has been a daily challenge. I *do* intend to indulge in one or two splurges on the cruise, but I also intend to keep a very close eye on how things are going.

I was just hoping to have one or two snack options that are a "known quantity" for me to be able to fall back on, if necessary.

Suzi

Suzi I hope you know I was just kidding. That is a MAJOR accomplishment and you are very smart to continue to watch what you eat. Congratulations and have a terrific trip.

 

[horseshowmom]

this is my actual job...

Ok folks. Different fruits from different places are allowed/not allowed. meats are very tricky and should be avoided. fruits on the other hand can be found on FAVIR (search usda favir). That website will tell you if a fruit is allowed to come in from a specific country, and can be used by the public.

Dried fruit is still fruit, there is no difference. The only difference would be if it was cooked or processed.

If you have any specific questions, let me know, this this is you know... my job haha.

On the DIS while at work, answering questions about my job.

I always tell my husband and daughter that I can find someone who knows just about anything I need to know on the Dis, but this amazes even me!

 

[Parkhopper]

Suzi I hope you know I was just kidding. That is a MAJOR accomplishment and you are very smart to continue to watch what you eat. Congratulations and have a terrific trip.

Sorry, Micca. I didn't realize that you were just kidding. Seriously, I have had SO many people act like I am ridiculous for even trying to maintain my weight on this upcoming vacation, telling me just to eat everything in sight and try to lose the weight when I return. I don't think that any of them realize how hard I have worked to take it off in the first place.

Suzi

 

[Micca]

BTW I think it's very cool that Uuaww is helping out here.

 

[bumbershoot]

Canada has complex requirements, restrictions and limits on the importation of meat, eggs, dairy products, honey, fresh fruits and vegetables, and other food from around the world.

That's from this site.


We've only ever been asked about fresh fruit when crossing the border by car, both ways. I don't think they've ever asked about dried.

I probably wouldn't take it back to the US.


There's no TJs in Canada, but I bet you could find a nice grocery store in Vancouver, if you gave yourself ample time before the cruise. I googled and found a store called Choices which has organic foods...and Safeway is up there, they have a nice line of organic foods and I'm sure they have dried fruits. Just leave it on the ship at ports (we too were told NO food was allowed off the ships).

I hope you have a nice cruise! Hubby and I went on an Alaska cruise for our honeymoon and we had just both lost a bunch of weight before the wedding. Alas, I came home with a baby on board, and I was already changing shape a week later (I have scary reactions to hormones, very very scary) and I haven't gotten back to my wedding-body yet, but I am working on it!

In case you get an urge for Mexican food, there's a surprisingly good restaurant in Juneau a couple blocks away from the main area. We found it while wandering, and then a few years later, my stepdad and his newish wife found it too and enjoyed it as much as we did. Makes for a difference from the food on the ship.