The Little things to bring to the US...

[CarolynRitesh 0]

The thread about things we take for granted about the US inspired this one, I am currently making up a packing list now!

Tata Tea - Gold

Fresh Spices:

Cardamom

Vanilla Beans

Peppercorns

Nutmeg/Mace

Biryani spice mixes

Pashminas/Shawls

Medicines and Vitamins

[Amby 490]

are you allowed to bring spices to the US? my husband brought me this big thing of spices back from india and it was took away from him in customs!

[Nikita2Charles 33]

It all depends what part of the US you are moving to, If you are coming to northern california, you don't need to bring the spices, there are so many indian grocery stores around you'll feel at home.

These 2 from your list seems to be ok

Pashminas/Shawls

Medicines and Vitamins

Check with your hubby and see what you really need to bring, use the weight allowances to bring stuff that are really sentimental to both of you.

As for masala it all depends on the poa some are less strict than others, my sister in law came a few times on B1 visas and always got everything through, sweets and all.

[CarolynRitesh 0]

When I went home last summer, I told the customs guy that I had packaged spices and he said no problem and waved me through. That was in Detroit, and he looked a little tired...

[Imua 0]

are you allowed to bring spices to the US? my husband brought me this big thing of spices back from india and it was took away from him in customs!

Was it packaged/sealed securely? I've brought back spices, tea, loose incense(juniper), you name it, all in sealed packages - no problems but then I've never been stopped by customs since I traveled to Europe in '84. Now I'm probably jinxing myself...

In the NY/NJ area there is all the desi stuff you could want, but it's usually 10X as expensive as back home.

[metta 0]

The thread about things we take for granted about the US inspired this one, I am currently making up a packing list now!

Tata Tea - Gold

Fresh Spices:

Cardamom

Vanilla Beans

Peppercorns

Nutmeg/Mace

Biryani spice mixes

Pashminas/Shawls

Medicines and Vitamins

Unless you are in a small town, Indian groceries are quite common in larger cities. here in the triangle, there are many Indian groceries. Infact in Cary, there is a little India with a whole cluster of indian restaurants and groceries and even a boutique selling Saris and stuff.

All the spices that you are packing are available here. You can even get pun.

Indian food has become so prevalent compared to 20 or so years ago that now even the biggest Chinese grocery here in raleigh carries Indian spices and Indian TV dinners.

I cook Indian my self but more often than not, we go out to Indian restaurants to get my favorite masala dosai ...

[Mononoke28 137]

When I go to Colombia I always bring several packets of cream of mushroom soup which is wonderful, nothing like the stuff you buy here. And I also bring a ton of packets of a fruit juice called Pulpa something. Wish I could bring my family but they don't fit in either of my suitcases unfortunately.

Diana

[CarolynRitesh 0]

Hi Everyone! Yes, I am very aware of the availability of Indian spices in the US, HOWEVER, they are OUTRAGEOUSLY expensive compared to India, AND, I love the idea of super fresh spices! Last time I was in Detroit (which has a huge Indian population), I looked for the Tata Tea Gold, and couldn't find it anywhere, and both Ritesh and I love that loose tea. Same thing for sari's, shawls, etc. - what I have bought here for $10-$50 would be anywhere from 3 to 10 times more expensive in the US.

To add to the list... All the sweet things that Ritesh has bought for me over the years - the wind-chimes, elephants, little boxes, etc. Some of my little gifts for him... A small statue of Sai Baba, wind-chimes, etc.

What makes you or your spouse more comfortable at home?

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

PG tips teabags

[Minya's wife 25]

Customs & Border Protection's latest advisory on "Bringing Food to the US" states in part:

We regret that it is necessary to take agricultural items from your baggage. They cannot be brought into the United States because they may carry animal and plant pests and diseases. Restricted items include meats, fruits, vegetables, plants, soil, and products made from animal or plant materials.

Full advisory here.

I would not risk it....

-P

[indianheart 2]

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation...roductsPrepared

I think it is always best to interpret for your self what you need to know. I plan on having my husband bring package goods (spices ect...) because the cost is far more expensive here, especially vanilla and cardamom. from my understanding if it is package for export there is no problem and if you are the USC put all spices in your bag. I brought back all kinds of stuff in my luggage and no one ever looked (including fresh curry leaves; I didnt tell them though. I think the dogs are more interested in other types of leaves...LOL)

gold jewlery is always a nice thing to bring back too

Edited April 1, 2008 by indianheart

[Alex & Rachel 78]

Jaffa Cakes! They don't have the original orange in the only British food store in the area.

Heinz Salad Cream.

DVDs of British shows that are not available/super expensive in the US.

I've found equivalents of or can make just about every other foodstuff that is missing.

[CarolynRitesh 0]

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation...roductsPrepared

I think it is always best to interpret for your self what you need to know. I plan on having my husband bring package goods (spices ect...) because the cost is far more expensive here, especially vanilla and cardamom. from my understanding if it is package for export there is no problem and if you are the USC put all spices in your bag. I brought back all kinds of stuff in my luggage and no one ever looked (including fresh curry leaves; I didnt tell them though. I think the dogs are more interested in other types of leaves...LOL)

gold jewlery is always a nice thing to bring back too

It is funny that you said that Indianheart, I was thinking the very SAME thing yesterday after the interview about packaged spices and the USC carrying them rather than the spouse. I have gone a couple of times to the US with spices and they could have cared less, but they definitely were asking anyone who looked Indian if they had things like home made pickle, etc. Both Ritesh and I are silver people, so jewelry other than sparkly Hyderabadi bangles won't be a big part of our bags!

[pedroh 21]

i can get almost everything here, the hardest thing to find is axiote, a mix of annatto seeds and spices to make cochinita pibil..

[JeroenAndMichelle 28]

gah, the stuff I would want to take with me is not allowed... it's some kinds of meat lol...

oh well, guess it wont be a good idea to transport it anyways for such a long journey xD