Taking food in my suitcase?

[Adora]

Hey guys little question?
Can I take dried food in my suitcase (not my carry on bag) when I'm going to visit my SO (USA)? I'm thinking about taking things he misses from UK -crisps, snacks, chocolate etc?
AND I KNOW THIS MAY SOUND CRAZY BUT I'M NOT TOO SURE..................
Do I need to tell the customs folk when they ask what's in my suitcase?

[snow_girl]

If it is processed packaged food it is fine. No fruits or veg or leafy things.

[lucybelle]

Nothing alive or anything dealing with animals (meat, milk, cheeses, etc).

[notyourexgirlfriend]

Be sure to make a customs declaration letting them know you have foodstuffs in your suitcase. Specifically list whatever it is you're taking (eg, chocolate, candy, rice crackers). Also check with both yours and his customs regulations to make sure you're not taking in any prohibited items.

[mllebamako]

For the US, as long as it's not fruit/veggies/meat, you're fine. Even certain cheeses are okay! Here is the official list of what is permitted. And I personally wouldn't put it on my customs form if it's just packaged food, that just causes more hassle.

[Katrina]

They will give you a wee card to fill out on the plane...... do you have any meat, fruit etc?...... as long as you are saying no to everything on the list as other posters mentioned you don't need to mention it.Personally because I'm super paranoid about things like this I don't take food...... (blackcurrant is banned in Minnesota for example) and I always worry I will cause a problem with something. I just send "candy" via amazon. I do take British newspapers and Asda tshirts with funny things written on them.

[Tooki]

If it's chips/chocolate etc you will be fine. I never have a problem coming back in to Australia, and I've been told our customs are a lot more nitpicky than the Americans.

[Adora]

thanks for the advice folks, I was not going to bother as I didnt want any hassle at customs but I reckon it will be ok

[lucybelle]

And I personally wouldn't put it on my customs form if it's just packaged food, that just causes more hassle.

I agree with this. I always have food in my bag and occasionally small amounts of alcohol. I always tell them I don't have anything because they want to know if you're bringing a lot to sell. If I just have a bottle as a gift or some food for snacks, then I don't even mention it.

[Moon]

I agree with this. I always have food in my bag and occasionally small amounts of alcohol. I always tell them I don't have anything because they want to know if you're bringing a lot to sell. If I just have a bottle as a gift or some food for snacks, then I don't even mention it.

I agree with mllebamako and lucybelle. I never claim the small amounts of food I bring with me to Finland. It's just not worth the trouble, and I only got kinda caught once, I brought a can of pumpkin to make a pie (impossible to find there and the boy had never had pumpkin pie!), and I looked a bit surprised at the customs officer, and apologized, saying I just didn't think about it. He just smiled, let me keep my stuff and sent me on my way. If it's not a forbidden item, and you don't have much, just look confused and apologize if you get caught.