Countries With Strict Rules On Bringing In Food

[Fan of Dan]

I didn't let my wife bring chewing gum to Singapore. Was probably a bit too cautious but with countries like that it's certainly better to err on the side of caution.

[AJK]

i believe i fulfilled all written requirements. if necessary, i would have escalated the situation to a higher up to prove my case. it was moot, though, since the agent let it through regardless.

my point was only that they dont necessarily "enforce to the T their rules" since my specific agent didnt think i fulfilled the requirements "to the T" yet still let it in

but of course it would not be wise to go in relying on getting a nice agent

Your first sentence is the most important.

[damaxer91]

Australia is about 10x as strict as NZ.

It's unbelievable.

Depends where.

PER is super strict. And they pull over every single person who looks Frum for a full check

[moish]

Your first sentence is the most important.

the bottom line is that in 2012, the customs requirements were: "Personal quantities of commercially canned, retorted or hermetically sealed meat, vegetable and fruit products are permitted subject to inspection on arrival. The products must be hermetically sealed in metal cans, retort pouches or glass jars and they must not require refrigeration to maintain quality." " 'Hermetically sealed’ means airtight; completely sealed from the atmosphere, so that when sealed it does not allow micro organisms or any other material to enter it. Retortable pouches are currently approved by AQIS and are subject to the same entry requirements as canned commodities. These pouches are distinct from vacuum packs which must be treated as uncanned product."plastic containers that have heat sealed lids or lids closed by a double seam (excludes those with snap or plastic lids)."

does la briute and meal mart fit the bill? to me and to many others it sure does, but to my agent for some reason it didnt. had he not allowed us through, there would have been hell to pay. i wasnt prepared to starve for 2.5 weeks without putting up a good fight.

[Dan]

Airports@aqis.gov.au gave quick replies and made me comfortable bringing in meat and dairy LB meals.

[moish]

Airports@aqis.gov.au gave quick replies and made me comfortable bringing in meat and dairy LB meals.

the above quotes were from their email to you

[username]

We brought and declared snacks, chocolate bars, and la briute meals into Australia without issue.

Ain Mayviim Rayah M'Dan...

[AJK]

the bottom line is that in 2012, the customs requirements were: "Personal quantities of commercially canned, retorted or hermetically sealed meat, vegetable and fruit products are permitted subject to inspection on arrival. The products must be hermetically sealed in metal cans, retort pouches or glass jars and they must not require refrigeration to maintain quality." " 'Hermetically sealed’ means airtight; completely sealed from the atmosphere, so that when sealed it does not allow micro organisms or any other material to enter it. Retortable pouches are currently approved by AQIS and are subject to the same entry requirements as canned commodities. These pouches are distinct from vacuum packs which must be treated as uncanned product."plastic containers that have heat sealed lids or lids closed by a double seam (excludes those with snap or plastic lids)."

does la briute and meal mart fit the bill? to me and to many others it sure does, but to my agent for some reason it didnt. had he not allowed us through, there would have been hell to pay. i wasnt prepared to starve for 2.5 weeks without putting up a good fight.

I agree with you that meal mart and la briute fit the bill, as they are both "retorted."

Your agent wasn't "nice," he was "uninformed."  The fact is that AU allows retorted food to come in. I, too, would have sought a supervisor.

All you've done is evidence that you abided by AU rules, found an agent who seemed not to know them, but were ultimately let in despite his ignorance on the basis that he was "nice."

Yet none of the foregoing means that AU does not have strict customs rules. 

[Freddie]

Who you calling retorted?

[moish]

I agree with you that meal mart and la briute fit the bill, as they are both "retorted."

Your agent wasn't "nice," he was "uninformed."  The fact is that AU allows retorted food to come in. I, too, would have sought a supervisor.

All you've done is evidence that you abided by AU rules, found an agent who seemed not to know them, but were ultimately let in despite his ignorance on the basis that he was "nice."

Yet none of the foregoing means that AU does not have strict customs rules. 

at the end of the day it boils down to interpretation. the agent knew the rules, i discussed it with him. for whatever reason he felt it didnt conform 100%. it wasnt important for me to get a full understanding as to why he felt that way, since he ultimately allowed it in as it conformed with the 'spirit' of the law in his opinion.

i never insinuated that that AU doesnt have strict customs rules, but rather the impression people have that the AU customs agents are bloodhounds looking to tear people apart. while that might be the case if one doesnt declare, ime, when i declared, that was certainly not so. our agent was friendly, understanding, and allowed something through that he didnt feel fit the criteria 100% as long as it fit the bill at least in spirit

[Freddie]

Well stated and explained.
And that is exactly what I meant... people are people.

[AJK]

at the end of the day it boils down to interpretation. the agent knew the rules, i discussed it with him. for whatever reason he felt it didnt conform 100%. it wasnt important for me to get a full understanding as to why he felt that way, since he ultimately allowed it in as it conformed with the 'spirit' of the law in his opinion.

i never insinuated that that AU doesnt have strict customs rules, but rather the impression people have that the AU customs agents are bloodhounds looking to tear people apart. while that might be the case if one doesnt declare, ime, when i declared, that was certainly not so. our agent was friendly, understanding, and allowed something through that he didnt feel fit the criteria 100% as long as it fit the bill at least in spirit

After all that, I think I must have gotten the same agent as you

Guy couldn't have been nicer; then again, all my stuff complied with import rules; then again again, he didn't check the whole suitcase...

[jj1000]

Jamaica could be strict. Bribing has gotten harder.

[Dr Moose]

anyone want to work on this wiki ?

post here

[mordechain]

Any one with experience in Costa Rica? I'm considering a trip this summer. TIA

[jj1000]

Any one with experience in Costa Rica? I'm considering a trip this summer. TIA

I know someone had all their meat confiscated last year.

[Yehuda57]

Australia is about 10x as strict as NZ.

It's unbelievable.

Relevant: https://youtu.be/YZQ7NL-o6E8?t=4m51s

[Einstein]

Hows Ireland with meats?