PDOS, NAIA, and POE experience

[Hank_ 9,174]

Now that is what I had read before about Magic Sarap! Thanks for the update!

I always bring back dried mangos, even though I have found where to buy there here (and they are from Cebu)

[RitzF2A 1]

My POE was Dallas TX (Dallas Forth Worth Airport)

I have 5 big packs of "MAGIC SARAP" (It's a seasoning granules) 3 big packs of "CRISPY FRY" (chicken breading) and 6 Packs of Dried Mangoes and everything was fine

Its ok to bring magic sarap but make sure its a new unopened bag (very sealed)

Aw either you werent listening at the pdos or you prefer to intentionally go against the advice of the lecturer. At the customs before exit, you probably got lucky you werent checked. Good for you . But dont encourage others to do that. Bawal is bawal. Crispy fry is ok since it does not contain meat by products just seasoning and bread crumbs.

[Hank_ 9,174]

Magic Sarap can't be "too" banned, its for sale on Amazon and ebay. Think I will go with the attitude that PDOS isn't my first choice for USA customs laws.

Edited June 1, 2013 by Hank_

[April-n-Gary 17]

From the USDA-APHIS website

Individuals who fail to declare non-commercial agricultural items may be subject to penalties ranging from $1,100 to $60,000 per violation. These penalties are based on authorities granted to USDA through the Plant Protection Act and the Animal Health Protection Act.

Meat, milk, egg, poultry, and products such as dried soup mix or bouillon, are either prohibited or restricted from entering the United States, depending on the types of animal diseases that occur in the country of origin. Fresh (chilled or frozen), dried, cured, and fully cooked meat is generally prohibited from most countries. Canned meat is allowed entry, except beef, veal, lamb, mutton, venison, elk, bison, etc., from countries affected by bovine spongiform encephalopathy.

Products containing raw egg ingredients are not allowed from most regions.

Pork and pork products are not allowed from Mexico, except for cooked pork in small amounts for a meal.

Looked at the ingredient list for Magic Sarap, it contains both Chicken Fat and "Meat Flavorings" although it's non-specific most believe it's pork. As for the items for sale on Amazon etc. The importer/producer may have gone thru the process of getting it inspected and approved for import, that does not mean the items you pickup in the Philippines meet the same requirements. From my experience the USDA inspectors tend to take a pretty hardline on bringing in questionable items and tend to err on the cautious side.

If you don't declare these items, and you don't get inspected you will not have a problem, but if you're pulled for secondary inspection at a minimum your products will be confiscated and will probably be noted for additional screening on your next visit.

Just saying, it's up to you if you want to take the chance for something you could get here for pretty cheap on the internet

[Hank_ 9,174]

I do agree being Magic Sarap is for sale all over the place in the USA why bother bringing any? Just buy it when you get here.

Edited June 2, 2013 by Hank_

[ezzy 3]

I was also very doubtful of that one hank. I didnt know what to put so I decided to leave it blank because my reasoning was I have never been to the United States so I couldn't likely answer US however it simply earned me a scolding and was instructed to put US since that is where I will be living in the future and no longer in the Philippines. It was a customs declaration form, it means I have already passed immigration and I already have a stamped visa, that being my temporary green card because of the problems they were having with the payment site. I was told that I could travel back and forth using the same (since that is valid for a year) until I get hold of my physical card. I was able to make the payment 6 hours ago and the payment method was kind of complicated but Just follow instructions, keep your email open so that you could back and forth with the security pin.

I'm not really sure if it will be the same for everybody. But for first timers like me who will be flying out within the next few days, I would like to remind you guys of the most important thing I learned here in vj, answer only the questions that are being asked briefly and concisely, to avoid staying long at the line. Do not provide extra answers as this might cause your delay. Anyway in my very limited experience all the people that I have come across so far were nice but have short fuses they easily explode when faced with difficult immigrants who do not know how to follow instructions.

As for the green card, the site said they were having problems with payment processing. The steps were not simple so I guess many were probably complaining. In my case my husband was not able to make the payment because it confused him so he had to wait for me so that I could pay for it myself! Lol!

I hope you guys will benefit from my experience. Yes, magic sarap is banned in the US due to some component in its ingredient. meat, poultry, balut (lol!), fruits, seeds... All of these will be discussed at pdos, pati anting anting n bala bawal kahit s checked in. You could get checked for that.

*about the fee...

our payment didn't show in my hubby's bank statement.. no updates from the site either (it only shows "accepted" and "will be reviewed or something like that. :S)

what did yours show?

[ezzy 3]

nvm...

[RitzF2A 1]

I havent checked yet... Later i'll peek, bcoz it says there to wait for like a month of processing...

Small update, got my SS id yesterday thru mail... Can now start job hunting, maybe will try visiting the FilIpino community center here... Im still at a loss as to what to do... I havent found a guide on what to do next after POE

[RitzF2A 1]

Ok so i've been to the public health center and the Filipino Community Center. It turns out that there truly is nothing left to do after POE bcoz everything was already done after payment of the USCIS immigrant fee. Just wait for the SS id, and you are ready for work. State ID only works if you plan to open a bank account but generally its not required to have one as long as you have the physical greencard. There is no more follow up vaccine in my case and the 2step TB would depend if my work would require it. Generally, if they find out you're new in town they're super extra nice and would even go to the extend of speaking filipino.

[ljmp_10 105]

Done with the cfo seminar. Everything went smooth. I got our passports around 12:30nn. Now time to pack my things. :-)

[RitzF2A 1]

Have a safe trip sis... How was the exam? Hope everything went well... Will pray for positive news... Dont worry too much about the results... Just enjoy your trip and ask your baby not to give you a hard time during check in and such... Take care!

[ljmp_10 105]

Thank u sis! I leave everything to God now. Whtever the result, i know it is His plans for me to become a better me.

Yes. Hoping for smooth POE with my daughter.

[Hank_ 9,174]

Personally I would suggest you pay attention to your packing, make sure your DO NOT OPEN envelope is in your carry on, make sure you have your passports & tickets close at hand, make sure you pay your exit fee (this can be done at the airport, front of the terminal between the scanners).

That will make for a smoother flight and arrive at POE.

[jadz1128 1]

very informative and helpful for first timers like me.. My flight together with my kids is on June 13.. With regards to the visa packet,i opened it with a scissor and had the IDS photo copied then i returned it to the plastic.. Would it be ok? ohh no,im worried of what i did!

[Hank_ 9,174]

very informative and helpful for first timers like me.. My flight together with my kids is on June 13.. With regards to the visa packet,i opened it with a scissor and had the IDS photo copied then i returned it to the plastic.. Would it be ok? ohh no,im worried of what i did!

The plastic bag is not the DO NOT OPEN envelope, that envelope is clearly marked, so you are fine.