Will there be an issue if I take 10 kilograms of yerba mate on an airplane?
Mate is a traditional South American infusion, which is not common and usually expensive in Europe. I'm travelling to France soon so I'm taking a bunch of it (the yerba mates leaves, not a liquid) for friends, and friends of friends. I'm wondering if this will make my luggage look extremely suspicious, and perhaps cause me to experience a delay while they check it or something.
I have previously taken a couple kilograms without any issue, but this time it would be about half of my case :).
UPDATE: I ended up taking 6kg, along with 6 bottles of wine/liquors and absolutely nothing happened :).
Best Answer
You may be subject to an inspection an questioning, due to suspicions.
Provided to you:
- Act in a calm manner
- Explain why you are carrying out
- Abide with local custom laws and regulations
- Let them search your luggage
You should expect a possible bag search, even them analysing it. Also bear in mind of recent drug stories in France like this one, so a delay of an hour should not surprise you.
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How do you travel with yerba mate?
It's perfectly safe and legal to travel with yerba mate. You may also travel with yerba mate gourds and bombillas without issues. For the bombillas (metal straws used to drink mate from the gourd), the most practical idea is to pack them in your checked-in luggage, as some of them may resemble knives.Is mate a drug?
Stimulant drugs speed up the nervous system. The caffeine in yerba mate is a stimulant drug. Ephedrine is also a stimulant drug. Taking caffeine with ephedrine might cause too much stimulation and sometimes serious side effects and heart problems.Yerba Mate and Cancer
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