I don't think the concern is packaged and sealed foods, but things like sandwiches and fruit. When we travel to the states we're always asked if we have any food. Show them a power bar and a coffee and it's not a problem. A beef sandwich or banana is another story. Why would anybody expect other countries to be less careful than the U.S.?
Interesting.... when I was in Vancouver at the airport to fly back to California, we have to go through immigration/customs check there at the airport. That's US immigrations/customs check. Thats why there is a separate terminal for US flights out of YVR. Anyhow, there is a sign that clearly states that you are now entering what is considered property of the US blah blah blah... don't bring fruit, food, meat, etc.
We had forgotten about this rule and realized that the fruit we just bought, which we thought we were going to eat while waiting for the plane, wouldn't be allowed through the customs check. Anyhow, since the line was quite long, we started eating it there in line for fear of confiscation. So we thought we finished all the food.... Well right when we were about to go through customs check where they open up your bag, we found a couple of apples that we had taken off the ship! So we pulled them out of our bag and were going to dump them in the trash when the customs official asked us what we were doing. We stated we were throwing the apples away since we weren't allowed to bring in fresh fruit... he looked at us and said "don't worry, you guys are fine. we don't care" and he let us through with our apples...
Anyhow, there is a sign that clearly states that you are now entering what is considered property of the US blah blah blah... don't bring fruit, food, meat, etc.
he looked at us and said "don't worry, you guys are fine. we don't care" and he let us through with our apples...
Anybody else getting mixed messages here? No wonder people are confused.
Anybody else getting mixed messages here? No wonder people are confused.
Please keep in mind that these are the same wonderful folks who bring us FEMA, Office of Homeland Security, FDA, FAA, EPA, have brewed up No Child Left Behind (even if they can't keep up), many other great organizations and of course the grandaddy of all, the Internal Revenue Service.
Please keep in mind that these are the same wonderful folks who bring us FEMA, Office of Homeland Security, FDA, FAA, EPA, have brewed up No Child Left Behind (even if they can't keep up), many other great organizations and of course the grandaddy of all, the Internal Revenue Service.
Here's a good one for you... When in Amsterdam, I wanted to bring back a pot of tulip bulbs for my mom, who loves tulips. I knew enough to be sure to buy a sealed package with an export stamp on it. When I arrived at LAX, I did the honest thing and declared that I had plant products with me. I presented the package, explained where it came from, and pointed out to the inspector the export seal. She told me how much she herself loves tulips, and how special it was to have some direct from Holland. She then said that I couldn't have these, and she took them back to her office. I asked her why, she said that it was clearly stated that plant products are prohibited. I reminded her that the package was sealed and packaged for export. She said "sorry". What could I do? Nothing. Although she, instead of disposing of the bulbs in the clearly visible contraband disposal bins, took them back to her office. Huh? I know what I did was perfectly legal. Bulbs as souviners are big business in Holland, and the special export packages of bulbs are common, and this is common knowledge. All Holland guide books published in the US even encourage it, and tell you where to find them. This woman stole my bulbs! If I had not been an honest nice guy, I would have skated through customs no problem, as they had no interest in my luggage otherwise. But not worth the risk, I figured. That's LAX customs for you!
Kyle, I had something similar happen to me with LAX customs. I did the right thing and declared that I had these wonderful pillows that I brought home from my trip to Thailand. The customs inspector pretended to be all friendly with me and telling me how beautiful and wonderful they are, etc. etc. He asked me how I was able to carry the pillows and if I had any in my luggage. I was honest. As soon as I said I had more, he opened up my luggage and threw the pillows out. He said that sometimes the pillows are made with grass products used as stuffing and those were illegal. Although he said my pillows were not stuffed with the grass, it was possible that it came into contact with it... blah blah blah....
Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers
-
Centrum Deck
-
Ask a Cruise Question
-
Picnic lunches.
#
Linear Mode
