im in america atm and happen to be right over the road from a ralphs store, which has a shitload of grocery goodies, some of which id like to take some home. I have read about the declaring items and stuff, but all im really looking to take back is some cereals, lollies and some sauce all of which can be bought back home for a bit more $$$ what kind of issues can I expect with customs as long as i declare it all?
I havent been overseas before, so im a bit of noob with customs
thanks, ive tried googling this before i asked here, and all I got was a post about customs having bigger fish to fry, but I didnt want to caught out though, so thanks again neil
It's packaged…it's made in the USA…you intend to eat it…I don't think you'll have a drama, declare it just to be safe.
Oh crap…I just realised it's you, pick up as much fruit and vegetables as you can, especially from Mexico. Buy a couple of handguns just to be safe, don't declare them, then when you walk through make sure you open your bag and they all spill out. This will give you special VIP treatment!
you cannot bring in products like beef jerkey. even if it is packaged. as above declare EVERYTHING!!!
I don't wish to be "unAustralian", but:
Why would I expect jerky to be like vegemite? ie. no one outside of Australia, and hooked as a child, would eat it :)
I must be missing out :)
+1 Declare everything!
and out of all shit I bought in I couldn't keep the Tropical Fruit and Nut mix, the banana chips had seeds, rest of the contents would have been fine. And I wasnt able to pick the banana out! (no harm in asking).
Knew I should have eaten them on the flight.
Oh and the Altoid mints raised an eyebrow, they look like "pills".
You've probably read this but in case you have not.
http://www.daff.gov.au/aqis/travel/entering-australia/cant-t…
absolutely. I used to bring in chocolates and sweets, and every time, they would let me pass. So I asked, and was told. Yes declare them.
Only when you buy stuff there - just decide what is good value, you have limited weight to bring in albeit, its better than travel to other countries. Cereals should be fine, (50% sugar!!) unless it has dried fruit like dirtybird mentions, but its bulky.
Rough rule of thumb. If it's "Manufactured" its should be ok. Except meat /dairy/plant - living organisms.
Look a grog - often the 1.75 litre plastic bottles of spirits are far cheaper retail (or on special) than duty free, and travel well in a suitcase if packed around with your bargain clothes. BTW if you need an extra suitcase check out the goodwill type stores, often pick up one for $5-10.
Also join Ralphs club, (same with safeway albertsons etc) its free, just make up an address. Better to get some idea of zip code for a suburb/town, use a local phone directory or google to work this out. That way you can save some more. I opened one about 5 years ago, still works and you get the card on the spot.
damn really? i was i needed a new toothpaste and they were flogging off colgate tubes for just 99 cents being a ralphs member, atleast I havent bought anything i plan to return with (mwahaha)
also check out US "sports" socks, often get a 6 pack - 90+% cotton white, grey black for $5-$10. Vs our $3-4 each price. (might need to go to Kmart/target/Wmart) Clothing doesn't seem to count towards your import limit. Especially if you wear it first, which isn't hard to do. Better than washing your old ones…
Get yourself some Lawry's Beef Marinade dude, no more than 12mins in this stuff & even the toughest boot-leather steak is falling apart on the BBQ! Tastes great too! Best…Marinade…Ever!!! :)
As with the above, +1 to declare everything; you should have no trouble with most processed foods if they're sealed in original packaging! :)
Lol…I can imagine comic book guy saying that 'Best…Marinade…Ever'
You shouldn't have any problems. Brought back loads of chocolate and lollies in the past. As long as you declare it then it's fine.