Do you declare (sp?) it? Or smuggle it?juanita said:I can only answer your vanilla question. I always bring back 3 big gallons for my brother who has a chocolate store in Canada. Never was asked about it!
Sunny44 said:Do you declare (sp?) it? Or smuggle it?
ricktoronto said:Expect Customs or the USDA to open and dump every single bag of it so have a plastic bag available or better yet, buy 20 pounds and put it all in a big bag before you go - my friend brings back 10# or so and does this after having the authorities every time open them all. The dogs scent on coffee as a mask for drugs.
I once got busted by the food doggie. He made a mistake and I told the guy to retire the dog. Went through luggage to find FOOD of all things.johnsr said:Each trip I bring back (10) one lb. bags of coffee. In the past 15 or more trips I have never experienced any problems with customs at JFK airport. I have also never seen a dog in the customs area!
John
Thank you for the tips! I used to live in the DR and have become an "expert" packer! I was already planning on bringing lots of ziploc bags for my "loot"! We used to bring all kinds of stuff down there from buying trips to Miami. My partner was not as diligent as I when packing his suitcase and ended up with motor oil all over his clothes! What a mess! Even the chloro didnt get that out! LOLRocky said:A lot of people brung these items home without trouble.
May I suggest a few precautions?
Have baggies ready, as was suggested above, in case they do dump it at customs, and buy it in grain form and freeze it upon your arrival, so as to keep it fresh.
Make double sure that the vanilla bottles are well sealed, as a vanilla accident in your suitcase is a heck of a mess.
Buy cinnamon in packages, as customs may have a problem with it, unless it comes in a sealed envelope.