Smoked Salmon

Sea Bear (and other companies here in the NW) make a hot-smoked salmon that is vacuum-packed and shelf-stable---no refrigeration necessary until it is opened.

I assume this is what Susan is planning to take, not the "cold smoked" salmon (aka lox), which does need to be refrigerated. .

I say go for it. Custom checks entering the EU are fairly lax. It's rare for bags to be searched.

I would guess yes, but I can't say I know for sure. The place to check is where you will clear customs on your way into Italy (generally the first place your plane touches down in Europe). US Customs won't stop you from taking something out of the country unless it's weapons, extra large amounts of cash or other illegal substance.

You go through immigration at the first place your plane touches down in Europe (except UK & Ireland), Customs (dealing with the stuff you're bringing into the country) will always occur in Italy; be it a direct flight or a connection.

Steve--you answered the wrong question. She is asking whether she can take smoked salmon into Italy (as a gift), not whether she can bring it back into the United States.

Italy regulations should be the same as the rest of the EU. Mostly they care about alcohol and cigatettes, not food items. But maybe someone knows where to find the actual regulations (for tourists, not the import regulations which are more strict).

I realize I go through Customs. It will be in Rome. my question is "Can I bring in the packages of smoked wild copper river salmon (packaged by a companay. Is this allowed. Who should I contact? I tried the Italian immigrations in Chicago with no results.

More importantly, how do you plan to keep it "cool" during your flight? (I wouldn't want to eat smoke salmon that been unrefrigerated for 12+ hours.

Susan, I have been to Europe many times, arriving in France, Italy, the UK, Scandinavia, Belgium, Greece, etc., and I have never ever been asked what I was bringing with me. Never.

What a great idea that's a Pacific NW specialty. The vacuum sealed packets are small and lightweight, but I'd put them in a freezer ziplock just in case and put them in your checked bag.

Steve: a frozen turkey---bet there's a story behind this!

Back in another life I was married to a Frenchman. When we went back to visit his family for Christmas, we would bring local specialties, including smoked salmon. It wasn't a problem, but like I said it was a long time ago. If you are really worried, perhaps you can mail it ahead?

It wont be hard to keep it cold if you put it in checked luggage. I brought back cheese from the UK that way and it stayed pretty cold in the bag because it isnt really warmed up down in the hold and it gets as low as -50 across the atlantic, way up that high!

Susan - My family members have twice taken sides of smoked salmon packed in ice, checked with luggage, once to Serbia and once to Greece. No problems.