What food can I pack in my luggage

ottawamom

The "Air Miles" Lady
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Mar 9, 2005
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We are heading to Disney beginning of December. What kind of breakfast foods can I safely (will pass US customs) pack in our luggage. We have always driven into the US and flown domestically so I imagine the rules are different flying in to the US.

I read a thread a while back where people talked about running into difficulties with the customs agents over gum.

I was thinking about a dry cereal with no fruit bits, breakfast bars, snack bars etc.

Anyone with recent experience?
 
We are heading to Disney beginning of December. What kind of breakfast foods can I safely (will pass US customs) pack in our luggage. We have always driven into the US and flown domestically so I imagine the rules are different flying in to the US.

I read a thread a while back where people talked about running into difficulties with the customs agents over gum.

I was thinking about a dry cereal with no fruit bits, breakfast bars, snack bars etc.

Anyone with recent experience?

The one with the gum was because they didn't declare it, not because it wasn't allowed. You can bring pretty much any processed pre-packaged food across the border, by air or land. Just be sure not to pack any liquids in your carryon that do not meet the restrictions, but checked luggage is okay. It is best if foods can be proven to be unadulterated (still on sealed packages). And by all means tick the Yes box when it asks if you have food. They will ask if you have meat, fruit or vegetables - just be honest as to what it is and quantities.

My DS has a severe food intolerance and we always travel with some of his favorite foods, and have never had a problem but are always being forthright with the agents. You can read over the restrictions on the US government site here https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/1273/~/food--bring-personal-use-food-into-the-u.s.-from-canada

Note that we often bring beef jerky as well, having declared it, and never had a problem (despite the warnings about meat) but the origin was US meat so that might have something to do with it.
 

You can take pretty much anything you want. The issues are with perishables...meat and fruit mainly. If you do take any fruit just be sure that the stickers with the origin is still attached and declare everything.

I've always got food in my suitcase and never have a problem. I take things like granola bars, instant oatmeal, pretzel crackers, tea, cookies. Usually just basic packaged stuff.

LOL...I once had baggies of pre-measured pancake mix and baggies of bath salt.
 
We take stuff all the time and have never had a problem. The main issue seems to be with perishables, which you probably wouldn't want to pack anyway! I often take crackers, peanut butter, granola or different types of bars, cereal, fruit leather, apple sauce squeezies, etc. I've also had things like apples or nectarines that they've never given us trouble about, but I know some people have experienced this. We fly and drive often (we're from the States so go back and forth a lot). Never had a problem with any of these.

Just make sure you aren't hiding any Kinder surprise eggs! They are illegal in the States for some reason, and can get you into big trouble!
 















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