Bringing home some cheese (from The NEtherlands)

This is from the US Customs - www.cpb.gov - website:

"Travelers making entry into the U.S. are permitted to bring in personal-use quantities of cheese, not more than five kilograms (10 pounds) for their own consumption. In order to legally bring in quantities in excess of 10 pounds, a commercial entry must be made and the importation must comply with all federal laws and regulations. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in fines, seizure of the cheese and seizure of the vehicle."

Joel, we brought back some gift boxes of Edam cheese two years ago and had no problem. As long as it's wrapped it should be okay.

We brought back a small round of Edam cheese that was fully encased in wax and had no problems getting it through customs. We figured it was worth trying.

We brought back Cheddar that we purchased in Cheddar Gorge--it was encased in wax like others mentioned and that may be requirement. Tried to bring back Camenbourt once and FA advised us to eat it on the plane as it would never make it through.

The issue seems to be soft versus hard cheese. Small quantities of hard cheese (or softer cheeses encased in wax) are generally OK, soft cheese a no-no. Edam, Breda, and Gouda should make it through, Tilburg would not.

You might as well try it, but you never know whether you'll get through. This is confusing even to customs and the USDA folks--sometimes things get confiscated that the websites say are fine. Someone above quoted from customs but it's the agricultural inspectors at the airport that are in charge of allowable foods. My understanding is that hard cheese is okay but that soft cheese is not, but again, it's often up to the discretion of the agricultural inspectors. If they're unsure often times people "forget" to claim it on their form, since odds are you won't be searched...

We brought several packages of cheese from Switzerland just two weeks ago. Customs did not bat an eye about the cheese, but they were concerned about meat products and fruit, like apples. We put ours in the checked bag because we thought it would be cooler down below. It's been two weeks, and I still am enjoying it. Brings back great memories.

Thanks all!! Will definitely try to bring back some hard cheese then! I'll let you all know how it turns out.... Leaving tomorrow, now I just need to know the best "coffee house/shop" to go to ... LOL

Peace!

You should have no problems with cheese. There are some softer cheeses that are of concern, generally these are made with unpasturized milk and have not been aged. Basically, if it is runny or oozes, leave it in Europe.
Do however check the box "yes" in regards to food, usually you will only need to tell them what you have (candy, cheese, etc.); on occasion you will need to go to the USDA tables for a further check.

Make it worth your while. Get something you don't often find in the states, like an Oude Geitenkaas, maybe the "Bettine Grand Cru."

You can get the kind of common, red waxed, Edam wheels, like you'd find at the airport, at almost any market in California.