Bringing food into the country from the USA

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jpoc

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Topic # 110908 18-Oct-2012 20:51

Hi everyone.

I had a look on the nz govt websites and could find nothing more than generalisations to the effect that you must declare all food and then they may, or may not let it in.

I would really like to get some more specific information if anyone has it.

I have to make a short trip to the US and one thing that I would like to do is to bring back some items that I cannot get here in NZ.

First up are "Ass Kickin" Peanuts. These are regular peanuts roasted with very hot spices. They are sold at retail in metal cans. Can I bring those in?

Next would be smoked wild caught Alaskan salmon. Normally sold at retail in airtight plastic packets.

If anyone has experience of the acceptability of either of these, I would be pleased to hear.

Thanks.

KevinL

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Reply # 703208 18-Oct-2012 21:03

You should have no problems with either of those - I've definately brought in smoked salmon ex-Seattle, and I'm fairly certain I've brought peanuts in as well.

I suspect the reason they don't publish a comprehensive list is that it will depend on where you are coming in from and what pests/diseases are around.

Basically you should be fine, but make sure you declare everything.

freitasm

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Reply # 703227 18-Oct-2012 21:44

You should declare everything anyway. If you don't and they catch you then it's an instant fine.

If you declare they will they you what can and can't come. Meat is not ok in any case (due to foot and mouth disease).

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scuwp

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Reply # 703244 18-Oct-2012 22:14

My understanding has always been that if it is processed and in its original packaging chances are you will be fine. Any fresh or unpacked food is a definite no no. As already mentioned declare it up front, better that way and have it taken off you than try and sneak through and be found out.

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knoydart

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Reply # 703253 18-Oct-2012 22:31

MPI take away any honey based products, as I found out last year at Wellington. As said many times already, declare up front and they will check on what you bring in on a case by case basis. Watching border security is an eye opener to what you can actually bring in if declared.

dickytim

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Reply # 703330 19-Oct-2012 07:16

definately declare first, maybe even speak to one on the MPI officers at the airport on the way out.

I always declare things like chocolate and sweet I bring in, as the statement is clear to declare all food items, I know that the items I bring in are OK as I have brought them in dozens of times but really not worth the risk, also I find the declared items line moves a bit faster normally.

Of all the time I have travelled with my brother I have declared goods and he hasn't I always end up thru first!

freitasm

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Reply # 703334 19-Oct-2012 07:28

Even if "it's just chocolate" you have to declare it as it is food. If it's a juice bottle you have to declare it as it is food.

Honey and meat products (treated or not, packed or not) are not allowed at all.

Other stuff will depend (fruits, nuts and seeds may or may not depending on other factors). Chocolates and confectionery are usually ok - but still have to declare.

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lchiu7

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Reply # 703502 19-Oct-2012 13:34

As said before just declare everything but stay away from any meat products and fresh fruit.

I have brought in dried nuts, dried fruit, coffee, candy of all kinds, fish (smoked salmon), breakfast cereals, with no problem.

Slightly aside going the other way is much more free. I have taken fresh/frozen beef, bacon and lamb with no problems at all. The bacon only has to to be from NZ (if they can see it on the label it's okay). The beef and lamb they don't check the origin.

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lxsw20

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Reply # 703514 19-Oct-2012 14:07

I find if I declare something little like a choc bar it's usually quicker going through anyway.

Behodar

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Reply # 703519 19-Oct-2012 14:19

lchiu7: Slightly aside going the other way is much more free. I have taken fresh/frozen beef, bacon and lamb with no problems at all. The bacon only has to to be from NZ (if they can see it on the label it's okay). The beef and lamb they don't check the origin.

Yeah I've gone the other way (NZ->US) with no trouble. I put "food" on the declaration form. They asked what I had, "just some chocolate" and didn't even need to show them. And my American friends liked the Whittaker's chocolate too :P

On the other hand, coming back into NZ a few years ago from England, the little sniffer dog was pawing at the bag. We found a muesli bar in the bottom that had gone missing a couple of weeks prior (just saying "I wondered what had happened to that" and handing it over was enough to proceed).

Elpie

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Reply # 705196 23-Oct-2012 16:53

freitasm: You should declare everything anyway. If you don't and they catch you then it's an instant fine.

If you declare they will they you what can and can't come. Meat is not ok in any case (due to foot and mouth disease).

Yet you can bring in packs of rawhide chews for dogs, so the blanket rule of 'no meat products' isn't really a blanket rule.

KevinL

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Reply # 705197 23-Oct-2012 16:55

Elpie:
freitasm: You should declare everything anyway. If you don't and they catch you then it's an instant fine.

If you declare they will they you what can and can't come. Meat is not ok in any case (due to foot and mouth disease).

Yet you can bring in packs of rawhide chews for dogs, so the blanket rule of 'no meat products' isn't really a blanket rule.

Rawhide isn't really a meat product, it's untanned hide/skin.

Elpie

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Reply # 705207 23-Oct-2012 17:08

KevinL:
Elpie:
freitasm: You should declare everything anyway. If you don't and they catch you then it's an instant fine.

If you declare they will they you what can and can't come. Meat is not ok in any case (due to foot and mouth disease).

Yet you can bring in packs of rawhide chews for dogs, so the blanket rule of 'no meat products' isn't really a blanket rule.

Rawhide isn't really a meat product, it's untanned hide/skin.

Rawhide can carry diseases, such as anthrax, foot and mouth disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob (mad cow) disease, and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE).

I've personally brought rawhide chews in from the US (checked at quarantine) and most rawhide chews that are sold in NZ are imported, primarily from China.

jpoc

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Reply # 709147 30-Oct-2012 13:32

Thanks for all the useful replies.

I took the plunge and today walked in with a stash of packs of smoked salmon made from wild caught Alaskan Sockeye Salmon. I handed over my form and the lady at the inspection point had a good look to see that every pack was sealed and that they all had "Product of the USA" printed on the pack.

jpoc

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Reply # 709158 30-Oct-2012 13:51

Elpie:
KevinL:
Elpie:
freitasm: You should declare everything anyway. If you don't and they catch you then it's an instant fine.

If you declare they will they you what can and can't come. Meat is not ok in any case (due to foot and mouth disease).

Yet you can bring in packs of rawhide chews for dogs, so the blanket rule of 'no meat products' isn't really a blanket rule.

Rawhide isn't really a meat product, it's untanned hide/skin.

Rawhide can carry diseases, such as anthrax, foot and mouth disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob (mad cow) disease, and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE).

I've personally brought rawhide chews in from the US (checked at quarantine) and most rawhide chews that are sold in NZ are imported, primarily from China.

Anthrax is the big worry. In the UK I used to sublet part of a warehouse that was owned by a rawhide processing company. The whole place was crawling with warning posters showing what a tiny nick in the skin would look like if it became infected with Anthrax.

I think that foot and mouth is less of an issue. Even if you got an infected chew, it would need to be consumed by a susceptible animal such as a pig and not by a dog.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob refers purely to the human form of the disease and mad-cow is not CJ it is BSE. BSE can of course cause Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease. I know that I am being a bit picky here but no criticism is intended, it is important to get these things right.

networkn

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Reply # 709169 30-Oct-2012 14:02

We have travelled from the US many many times and brought food of all types in, usually packaged though. We ALWAYS declare everything regardless and most times they can't be less interested. I would imagine they would be concerned if I brought in Fresh Fruit and Vegetables, though once I did as I had my Son (2) with me and he was eating his way through a small bag of dried fruit and was munching on an Apple and had some other stuff in and they just glanced at it and waved us through (a while ago now).

Just DECLARE everything and put it all in one bag so if they want to look at it, it's all in one place and easily accessible to them and don't make a fuss if they protest it. Don't bring it in if you aren't prepared to lose it.

I bring a few KG's of Kosher Salt each time and they have never bothered either.