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Taking different things back in my luggage from Italy trip

I’m leaving Italy tomorrow and I have a couple of things I’m going to try get home.First I have a 5 liter metal can of olive oil that I know I can get back because I took an exact same one back last year. But we pick a huge bag of lavender flowers and my wife wants to take them but I’m not sure? Then I have a 2 kilo wedge of cheese also? Any hints wil be appreciated.

Posted by
8889 posts

Where is home?
So long as you pack these in your hold luggage (not hand luggage) they should get home. Whether they are allowed through your home country's customs depends on where home is.

Posted by
21274 posts

Cheese should be OK, especially if it is cryovac sealed. Lavender flowers? Might not be allowed, but you already picked them, so bring them along and be sure to declare them on your customs card. They might get taken from you, but what the heck. And make sure the bag is under the 22 kg (50 lb) limit.

Posted by
34221 posts

In previous questions Charlie has indicated that they will return to Louisville,Ky.

Posted by
34221 posts

2kg is just a wedge? How big is the wheel? Parmesan?

Posted by
2429 posts

Hey empty
What kinda cheese? I’m thinking no on lavender, you’ll get your answer at airport, hopefully a happy wife. Let us know how things went.
Aloha

Posted by
69 posts

Yes the cheese is Parmesan and a wheel of that is 100 lbs. I think we might have found a solution to the lavender thing, I pulled all the flower buds off the stems and put them in a small sachet type purse and put it in my check in luggage along with the oil and wine and cheese.

Posted by
2429 posts

Wine too!!! Lol I always have my portable scale with me for times like this, now we know you’ve had a great time.
Aloha

Posted by
34221 posts

The sniffer dogs will still find it. Please don't attempt to smuggle. They don't like it. Declare it.

Posted by
17580 posts

You still need to declare the lavender, and let the customs agent decide. That is a large quantity, not commercially packed and sealed. The agent may need to inspect them for pathogens.

Posted by
69 posts

Ok I will declare it. Last time I brought oil and wine back I didn’t declare it and the customs agent just asked me what was in my luggage and I said wine and oil and they allowed it so I guess I will do the same thing again with it?

Posted by
4668 posts

Oil and wine don't present the problems of invasive species that can occur with plants and animals from other places. I'm not aware that lavender flowers are a problem, but the agricultural inspectors may think otherwise. And the flowers could have small insects on them.

Posted by
5837 posts

Basic rule is to declare everything and the worst case outcome is having a product confiscated. I brought back a wedge of aged Asiago cheese with out problem.

https://www.cbp.gov/travel/clearing-cbp/bringing-agricultural-products-united-states

All travelers entering the United States are REQUIRED to DECLARE
meats, fruits, vegetables, plants, seeds, soil, animals, as well as
plant and animal products (including soup or soup products) they may
be carrying

Always DECLARE agricultural items by checking “Yes” on Question 11 of
the CBP Declaration Form 6059B. Also check “Yes” if you have been on a
farm or in close proximity of livestock, as an agriculture specialist
may need to check your shoes or luggage for traces of soil that could
harbor foreign animal diseases such as foot-and-mouth.

General Guidelines: Fruits, Vegetables, and Plants Depending on the
country of origin, some fruits, vegetables, and plants may be brought
into the United States without advance permission, provided they are
declared, inspected, and found free of pests.

Posted by
107 posts

I would declare everything. I'd rather give up a souvenir than my Trusted Traveler card.

Posted by
5649 posts

The OP should have returned a week ago. It would be nice if she came back with her experience with Customs.