I have purchased butter in Iceland to bring home and it worked out fine. I was just wondering if it is practical to try to do the same in Paris to bring home a few pieces of cheese and butter. I pack gallon size zip lock bags and put them in my suitcase and the butter I bought last time stayed fine until we reached home. I was wondering if you have to declare it when you reach the US and if anyone can suggest good places to buy cheese and butter to bring home while in Paris. Thanks.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
9316 posts
Yes, declare it. Generally butter is allowed, as is cheese, but the cheese should be firm or aged, not the runny cheeses common in France.
Posted by
Cleveland
201 posts
I have brought cheese home from France on a few occasions. The first time I was in a cheese store on the Rue Cler. I asked the merchant for cheese that would be good in a suitcase for the day. He gave me a few suggestions. It worked. I buy Comte and Gruyere. You're supposed to declare it when you get home, but it's okay to bring in most cheeses.
Posted by
Bellingham, WA
1767 posts
On another thread, there was a comment about asking the seller to vacuum seal it for transport.
Posted by
The Heartland USA
9644 posts
If you are asked what food you are bringing in, an answer that works is "hard cheese in plastic wrap". That indicates you know soft cheese is not allowed. Last time I brought cheese in, the passport control person asked me what food I had and I told her and then waived me through. Anything suspect gets you sent to the USDA inspectors station.
You are always supposed to declare all food items you're bringing in, including chocolate, coffee, cookies, candy, olive oil, etc. They just won't ask to see it if it's not on their list of items that are prohibited. I know most people blow this off and get away with it, but it's really not as much of a hassle as people think.
Tip: find out what the French term is for "vacuum-packed" and ask for that when making your cheese purchase. It helps to not stink up the aircraft and your luggage.
Posted by
543 posts
Coffee?? You are supposed to declare coffee? Being a coffee snob, last Dec I brought a duffel bag with 20kg of beans and did not see where I was supposed to declare it. I walked right through. That could have been embarrassing.
Posted by
Upstate NY, USA
1096 posts
You're supposed to declare ALL food. Period. I declare even chocolate.
Posted by
The Heartland USA
9644 posts
Go to the USDA APHIS site for traveler information. The actual language is "all agricultural products". And yes, digging down, you'll see coffee, tea, & honey listed as allowed, but must be declared. Unless the USDA is aware of a specific disease or insect threat with certain products, those would all be waived through.
I always bring back coffee, tea, honey and jam from overseas, and I always declare it. Never been questioned about it or had it taken.