Cheese It! It's the TSA! I think...

Shrink wrap does not matter, though it is handy, but a well wrapped cheese is fine, or a whole wheel with just the rind.

As for customs, you are only really worried about US Customs (Actually the USDA) at your first stop returning to the US. You will be asked about food items at immigration, indicate you have them, they may ask what, and make a mark on your entry form they give you, Customs will take the form (It does vary by location, some airports use forms or slips, others not) and either let you pass or ask to take a look.

As for what is allowed, generally any hard or semisoft cheese is OK, something that has been aged a few months at least. What is usually not OK is the very soft runny cheese or fresh cheeses like a ricotta, or a wet mozzarella, particularly if it might be unpasteurized. I use the term "usually", because in all cases, if they check, it is at the discretion of the officer.

If you are talking about bringing something from the US into Germany, then different rules apply.

I always pack cheeses in checked luggage for the return, always declare that I have food if asked, (some areas rely on the Beagle Patrol), and have never had a problem in many trips. In 20+ trips, all with some type of food item, have maybe been asked once to look in my bags.

Here's a recent Washington Post article on the Beagle Patrol at Dulles International. The article is gifted but WaPo will ask for a new user to register for free (sorry about that). https://wapo.st/3AZbMq0.

If you are coming back to the US, TSA isn't involved. And Germany doesn't care. You will be dealing with US Customs. All agricultural products need to be declared. Hard and semi soft cheeses are generally allowed, as long as they are coming from countries without Foot and Mouth disease and don't contain meat products. Keep in the original packaging and keep the receipts as proof of origin.

You must declare everything you bought or were given while abroad. If something is on the prohibited list, it will be confiscated. But if you failed to declare something that they subsequently find, you would also be subject to a fine.

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/traveling-with-ag-products/milk-dairy-eggs

I'm not sure the source of the shrink wrap "requirement" you speak of, but you must declare your food items to Customs and Border Protection (not TSA) on arrival to USA. https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/agricultural-items Doesn't matter if you have it in your checked bag. If you fail to declare any agricultural or food products (even those permitted) you could be fined. The USDA sets what is permissible, here's the dairy info https://www.aphis.usda.gov/traveling-with-ag-products/milk-dairy-eggs.

And even without shrink wrap, the sniffer dogs at the airport are extremely good at their job - I once saw a woman go through a very extensive search of her backpack, only to reveal the dog had sniffed out the plastic wrap from a sandwich she had eaten a day before.

I would read this and follow the link they provide https://www.help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-1470?language=en_US

But do understand that the OP isnt asking if it is legal or how to do it legally, the OP is expressing that he doesnt care about the law and wont get caught unless customs sees somehting they want for themselves.

Thank you everyone for your responses. I meant the Customs and not TSA-you are correct. Sorry about that.

Paul, that is exactly what I was thinking. It is just a declare it and go on but was wondering why the shrink wrap threat because I had planned on bringing several ziplocs to set it in for travel home. Several posts said Germany didn't allow it out unless it was shrink wrapped and I don't think Mexico ever cares what I am LEAVING them with. If it is that bad, I am sure they are glad I am taking it with me. LOL I was wondering who shrink wraps the cheese if I am at the Christmas Markets or vendors.

Trotter, I would take a guess that Beagle Patrol would be on top of the cheese even if it was shrink wrapped. LOL! That is too cute that they send in the noses.

CJean- Thank you for the receipt warning! I would have never thought of that one! And you are correct on declaring. We declare everything down to deodorant purchased "Sundries" when we travel because I don't want to lose my Global Entry status. If you get caught attempting to defraud it, you lose that privilege permanently.

As for the Mr. E..... stating that I want to do something illegal and don't care about laws, that is WAY FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH. I was asking about the shrink wrap comment on other forums that customs doesn't allow cheese if it isn't shrink wrapped. I am wondering when I buy it at the Christmas market booths/stores how am I supposed to get it shrink wrapped if the vendor doesn't do that? The fact that I am asking tells you I don't want to do it illegally. If I ran by the "until I get caught" rule, I would just throw cheese in. I just like to be prepared. If cheese has to be shrink wrapped, I want to know who needs to see it. I will put it in my carry on if it is going to be an issue about shrink wrap verification. How you got that I don't care about the laws until I get caught is beyond me because that is false. I clearly stated that **I VERIFY what is legal to enter and exit when I travel ** to Mexico in my post. If you look over at other forums not in the Rick Steve's community that are discussing items that are confiscated by Mexican customs, you will always find more than 1 person who has items removed that are completely legal by Mexico's website (trust me, I travel to Mexico about 10 times a year for over 20 years, so I know what is legal and what isn't) and this customs person will take it and set it aside on a metal table and NOT in the trash bin where some items go. THAT tells me that the agent is setting the item aside for the breakroom and not because it is illegal. I have had it done to me and I know that it wasn't "subjective", it was legal because it was a package of crackers-no peanut butter, no filling, no topping, plain old crackers that I am allowed to bring in every single time but that one. It isn't worth arguing and spending the night in a jail in Mexico for me though.

My understanding of the “wrapped” requirement is that the cheese should be sealed in a commercial package with a label as to origin, so they can see what kind of cheese it is. Last time I checked, raw milk cheeses are not allowed into the US, but that may have changed.

In any case you must declare it to avoid trouble. The beagle will find it even if it is hidden in your luggage (which is a good place to carry it, as it will stay cold in the belly of the plane.

I know that this is not an answer and I am SO SORRY! In my defense, you’ve gotten some excellent advice here, so I am just going to tell a wee story. I hope this is ok? :-)

Eons ago, the summer I turned 16, Da gifted ma and my Mama a two-week long adventure to England for my birthday. We had a freaking BLAST. :-)

Friends, I fell in love with British cheese. I ate a powerful lot of strong mature cheddar, Caerphilly, Cheshire, Stilton, red Leicester, etc. etc. on the trip.

Before we left for home I snagged a huge wedge of beautiful Cheshire, one of my faves (now as then). We were “backpacking around,” so I packed the cheese in my twilled fabric backpack and checked it as luggage.

All was fine until Mama and I were standing at the baggage carousel, waiting for our bags. Hers came, all fine, no worries. Now mine (it was bright red, so easy to clock) came tumbling down the chute and onto the sliding metal plates of the conveyor belt. And bloody heck, but it had been ripped wide open in transit!

As I helplessly watched, my enormous block of beautiful Cheshire cheese was thrown wide of the rip in the bag and landed on the metal plates.

It had softened slightly en route.

Before my horrified eyes, a corner of the plastic wrap got sucked in between the metal plates, dragging a corner of the cheese with it… and then more of the cheese, until all of it was being sucked into the conveyor plates and extruded further along like wide cheesy noodly ribbons of sadness.

I could smell it from where I stood. I was aghast.

A kindly priest (it was an odd day) in the crowd leaped onto the verge of the carousel and hauled my wounded backpack off before more of my belongings could be destroyed… but of course he could not save my cheese.

I live in London now and am able to indulge in good Cheshire cheese on the regular, but I will never forget that day.

Happy travels - and good luck with your cheese!

I was wondering who shrink wraps the cheese if I am at the Christmas Markets or vendors.

I can't speak for Christmas markets, but it seemed like most of the market vendors in the Netherlands would shrink wrap whatever cut of cheese you chose, supermarkets in Spain routinely will shrink wrap your choice, same with many cheese shops, and I suppose elsewhere as well. They all seem to have those vacuum pack machines.

Like I said, it is handy and does a good job, but not "required". I also have heard that it must be shrink wrapped as advice, I suppose since it is so common, people just assume you must.

You will have no problem leaving Germany, they certainly do scan checked bags, but have no concern over food. Your carry-on is of course scanned as you go through security, and it would not be unusual for them to look closer at a big hunk of cheese (probably has a similar density and form to things they do look for, particularly if you had electronics in the bag.)

Maybe replace the word Shrink-wrap with Vacuum packed? I think there is a difference and customs may feel the same way in the US. You go through customs when you arrive in a country, not when you leave.