Where should I carry food when crossing national borders -- checked luggage or carry-on?
According to this USDA document I'm allowed to bring certain foods (for personal use) into the US from other countries but I have to declare them. For dried fruits it says "INSPECT AND RELEASE". Where should I carry these items to facilitate my trip through customs? Or does it not matter whether it's on my person or in checked bags? (I haven't done this before and don't know how the customs inspection works.)
I'll be flying from Israel to the US by way of a layover in Canada (3 hours, not leaving the airport). The US customs inspection occurs in Canada.
Best Answer
Customs/quarantine checks happen after collecting your checked luggage so fucnctionally it should not matter. However from personal experience, I would suggest keeping it somewhere easily accessible, regardless of whether it travels in the hold or with you, as getting it out tends to be the most time consuming part.
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Should I put food in my carry-on or checked luggage?
Solid food items (not liquids or gels) can be transported in either your carry-on or checked bags. Liquid or gel food items larger than 3.4 oz are not allowed in carry-on bags and should be placed in your checked bags if possible.Can I bring food in my personal item?
Yes, you may pack food in your carry-on or checked bag, but remember all food must undergo x-ray screening. Foods that are liquids, gels, or aerosols must comply with the 3-1-1 liquids rule.Can I take food in hand luggage?
You can carry food both in hand luggage and checked baggage. Keep in mind that food products should be contained in commercially branded packaging with the original seals unbroken. Some airlines may refuse the carriage of fresh products with short shelf-life, especially on a long-haul flight.Checked bag VS Carry-on bag | What type of luggage is best?
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Answer 2
It doesn't really matter where you carry these goods. Customs will (or won't) check your luggage after you've picked up your checked in luggage.
Sometimes, in more paranoid times, customs might walk around the luggage pick-up area with sniffer dogs trained to smell out fruits, cheese or other goods. The dogs are good, so if you're carrying anything that's food and prohibited, and there are dogs sniffing around, you're unlikely to get away with it.
Mostly, though, you'll get away with bringing in any kind of food, unless what you're carrying is prohibited and you're explicitly asked to have your luggage checked. But then, anyway, you'll just lose the food, or have to eat it on the spot, and it won't matter whether you're carrying it in your hand or checked in luggage.
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