Getting ready to move to the U.S ! what am I allowed to take ?

[Tarik 11]

Hi everybody.

I'm getting ready to move to the U.S. I want to take some gifts and some cookies and stuff like that to my wife but I'm not sure what I can and what I can't take.

I need some advice about what and how to pack stuff like cookies,dates.....and how much wieght I'm allowed to take.

[Nasturtium 500]

If you're going to take food, it has to be in its original packing (to the best of my knowledge)... sealed. The weight you are allowed to take should only be limited by the weight limit of your baggage. I would 100% avoid anything that contained actual FRESH fruits. Dates (because they are preserved), spices, etc should be fine as long as they are sealed. I actually accidentally passed a few kumquats from Jordan, and I could tell the agriculture beagle (who is precious) found me out, but it went ahead and pointed out the woman in front of me-- she had a banana, an orange, and an apple-- and then got a $50 fine per fruit. My advice is pick somehting that is truly unique if you want to bring food.. or something that is much cheaper there than here (I had my Dh bring Saffron, hale, and mirameya). Otherwise, I would stick to non-food gifts because of the possible trouble and also the difficulty in ensuring it arrives in one piece .

[Otto 83]

Hi everybody.

I'm getting ready to move to the U.S. I want to take some gifts and some cookies and stuff like that to my wife but I'm not sure what I can and what I can't take.

I need some advice about what and how to pack stuff like cookies,dates.....and how much wieght I'm allowed to take.

Tarik,

Here is a list/link (CLICK HERE) of prohibited items (so you don't bring something that you have to throw away).

[MelindaandTarek 0]

Tarik Sounds like you already have a lot of good advice..I just wanted to say...what a great thread!!!!!!! I am so happy for you and your SO!!!! The only thing to add...is (I think) weight for luggage being checked on is 50 pounds or I believe there is an additional fee...not sure what it is...I am sure you can check w/the airline as well....good luck!!!!

[Tarik 11]

thank you guys

[sara535 15]

I brought some homemade cookies from my mother in law last time I came back and I just had them in a box in my carry on. I was asked several times what they were but no one took them

[Nasturtium 500]

Yeah, I've brought back all kinds of things including wheat from my husband's field Which I am sure completely violated the agriculture laws. I'd be hesitant though, if I were going through immigration like he will be (as opposed to how we just go through and then just go on with little to no searching of our stuff), to bring something that could cause question even if it were legal. I tried to get my Dh to bring a Beduin knife in his checked luggage, but he wouldn't do it I think it mostly depends on who is doing the checking that day and how their day has been so far! Bad day+ cranky person= huge hassel x urge to go back from whence you came^ (or possibly sock someone.) I think bringing baked goods would be fine, it gets hazy when you start thinking about other things which are totally legal-- like dates. It only takes one idiot to totally flub up your day.

[slbois 0]

I've always brought items that would have gotten me into hot water by customs. I never declared anything and held my breath. I never once had my baggage checked. My husband brought a lot of things and his bags were not checked either.

[sereia 0]

i've brought amlou, argan oil (both not in original packaging...), cookies, cakes, spices, all in tupperware or plastic baggies. i think the key is putting it in your checked bag instead of your carry on... especially the liquids (they are not allowed in the carry on anyway)

tarik, if i were you i would bring all sorts of moroccan spices. the spices here don't compare to home and you will wish you brought them to make tagines and things!

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

This is probably not what you meant, but I know someone that moved here, after getting their visa, and brought everything! They rented a crate and her entire household contents came over on a ship from Denmark. For the cost of the shipping, she could have just bought all new and been ahead. To each their own.

[Carolyn 1]

I would bring what you want, but don't be too disappointed if they take your food items away from you.

The last time my husband went to Morocco he had all his food items thrown in the garbage (several kilos of olives, preserved lemons, smin, even his mother's homemade cookies!). I think the immigration man was just mean and spiteful--this was in Toronto, Canada.

I don't think they would do this to an American citizen.

Good luck and bon voyage!

Carolyn

[Otto 83]

I don't think they would do this to an American citizen.

Citizenship has no part in it - I've seen people of all nationalities have things thrown away - it's not a matter of being spiteful or favoritism. The fruit dog doesn't only sniff non-USC luggage...

[Carolyn 1]

Don't fool yourself, Karin und Otto! Discrimination and just plain rudeness happens at our borders all the time--I guess you should count yourself fortunate to never experience it. My husband had NO fresh food of any sort, nor any "banned" items, and there was no fruit dog present, either!

It was the IMMIGRATION guy (not customs) who threw away my husband's mother's homemade cookies, olives, etc. They let me, the US citizen take the exact same items in my luggage the previous summer. In March, however, my husband was traveling alone, so he had to take them in his own luggage.

I can't think of any good reason to throw away the items he had...

[Sino's Suga 0]

i just returned from morocco with two different kinds of cookies from my husband's family, moroccan cheese and moroccan sausage... put them in your checked bags... everything will be fine.... if they ask to see inside your bags and say you cant have them then throw them away... no harm done

good luck

[sarah and hicham 3]

i just returned from morocco with two different kinds of cookies from my husband's family, moroccan cheese and moroccan sausage... put them in your checked bags... everything will be fine.... if they ask to see inside your bags and say you cant have them then throw them away... no harm done

good luck

Ummm you brought back sausage? Was it fresh? And it sat on the plane for how long unrefridgerated?