What can I take to U.S

[Kavitha Ravi]

Dear friends, I am going to U.S with my sis-in-laws children. They are going to stay with their mum there.
I am from Malaysia. I would be very greatful if anyone can guide me as to what food stuffs I can take from here.
My sis-in-law wants pineapple tarts, and garlic pickel.
Are we allowed to take them. Please kindly help me.
Thanks. Kavitha Ravi.

[rajraj]

Dear friends, I am going to U.S with my sis-in-laws children. They are going to stay with their mum there.
I am from Malaysia. I would be very greatful if anyone can guide me as to what food stuffs I can take from here.
My sis-in-law wants pineapple tarts, and garlic pickel.
Are we allowed to take them. Please kindly help me.
Thanks. Kavitha Ravi.

Kavitha: Strictly no food. Food of any kind and agricultural products(fruits,flowers,plants etc) are prohibited. You are expected to declare everything when you pass through immigration/customs. People do sneak in these things. If you are caught they can impose a fine and confiscate what you carry. In most cases they(customs agents) just throw them away. Your sister in law should know.

[pavalamani pragasam]

That is what is shown in the movie, 'jeans'(or 'genes'?). But veteran travellers like my friend's family who have returning there for so many years are known to successfully 'smuggle' their favourite items like betel leaves & 'aattuthalai kaRi'!!!!!!! I don't know how they manage to squueze them secretively inside their bulky luggage!

[MazhaiKuruvi]

Regarding, what you can take, as the mod said, food items, especially home made pickles etc. are prohibited. However, these are invariably taken by many travellers to and residents of US. However, the possibility of your baggage being checked on arrival (especially because you are tourist) is high. If found, and you plead ignorance, the customs officer will throw away the said food item. If you are willing to lose it, then take it.

[ajithfederer]

You cant take pickles and stuff to US. However u can bring food items like Murukku and other which dont spoil so immediately.
U can also bring Masala packets (Garam masala, sambar thool, rasam powder in packets.) .
U can also bring Ready to eat Food items (Stuff like take from the packet, boil and eat kind) :P .
Utensils like Pressure cooker and Idly cooker are available here in most Indian stores so u need not bring them here.
and what else, I am in Philadelphia u can buy something for me too

[MazhaiKuruvi]

Philly-la masala powder, murukku ellaam kidaikkalaiya?

ennadhaan irundhaalumveetla senja oorukaiya thirruttuthanama anga kondupoi saapdradhula oru thani taste irukku

[Lambretta]

Geez I'm surprised to know pickles arent allowed!!
Since when hav they been banned? There r still many shops here where they pack pickles for taking abroad.......
'guess this sure wud turn out to be a huuuuuuge disappointment for NRI Telugus! :P
And rajraj, as for taking flowers, uh...r u not allowed to pass thru even if wearing them in ur hair (eg. mallipoo)?

[Anoushka]

As Raj said, if they check your luggage and you get caught, you will lose all your stuff. Keep that in mind. If that is ok with you then you can try and "smuggle" in food stuff!

http://www.discoverabroad.com/US/Arr...mmigration.htm - here is a more detailed information on what kind of food you can carry!

[Anoushka]

Lamby: generally flowers/plants are not allowed, but if you are wearing them in your hair it is ok.

Plants, flowers could carry parasites, viruses, etc. That is why they are not allowed.

Food in general and meat products in particular is not allowed in most countries because of the same reason.

I've heard that in Australia, to carry food from one region into another region you need a license.

[ajithfederer]

We do get in Indian stores. But the point is U can bring a lot of them (if u can from ur home country) and use it for quite sometime.

Philly-la masala powder, murukku ellaam kidaikkalaiya?

ennadhaan irundhaalumveetla senja oorukaiya thirruttuthanama anga kondupoi saapdradhula oru thani taste irukku