Q: Shipping food to US

[Karebu]

I would like to ship sealed 'wet' food (e.g. japanese curry sauce in sealed packets from supermarkets) over to US to a personal friend for personal consumption, but what are the procedures in doing so? Is it even doable?

 

I've been googling but to no avail. So far what Ive found out is that it seems that I'm required to send a prior notice to FDA. But what's next? Do I need some sort of approval, probably printed and affixed to the package before I mail it over?

 

 

Can anyone help me out? Many thanks!

[Mazdaowner]

I would like to ship sealed 'wet' food (e.g. japanese curry sauce in sealed packets from supermarkets) over to US to a personal friend for personal consumption, but what are the procedures in doing so? Is it even doable?

 

I've been googling but to no avail. So far what Ive found out is that it seems that I'm required to send a prior notice to FDA. But what's next? Do I need some sort of approval, probably printed and affixed to the package before I mail it over?

 

 

Can anyone help me out? Many thanks!

 

From what I know, food items, meats, fruits etc are not allowed into the US.

Doesn't matter if you vacuum pack them, they will not be allowed either.

if you must, you can ship REGULAR post to him and declare it as something else

besides foodstuff and see if it gets thru.

 

My bak kwa to San Francisco for my elder sister USED to get thru,

it didn't make it 4 years ago, even vacuum packed proper.

So I gather the post office staff were enjoying themselves.

 

BTW, your wet curry by the time it gets there might spoil.

If your friend is in San Francisco, have him go to Japan town, they

sell loads of Japanese curry there, no need to send.

[Karebu]

ahhhhh crap.. i wanted to send in bakkwa. its the fragrance foodstuff new shrink wrap pack.

i thought i could share the joy.

 

 

have you been attempting to send over recently?

 

and say, what would be the best 'packaging' to send my stuff in? box? and what other categories can i declare it as, and it would look feasible on the x-ray/scans?

Edited February 6, 2010 by Karebu

[Yaloryalor]

I used to ship Bua Kwa to my US customer via FedEx without problem. Din make any declaration or application. Just try my luck tat time.

[Mazdaowner]

Last year I tried shipping again, putting it down as towels, and my sister never got them,

times are different now, via courier, everything got to declare, if you get caught, everything is gone,

but those small bak kwa pieces, I did send a few, like 5-6 in the normal mail and I guess they didn't check and it went thru. 5-6 pieces my sister said to me, might as well don't send, eat also not enough.

 

If sending, I would send 5kgs over. You can try your luck, maybe use regular mail, who knows!

 

 

ahhhhh crap.. i wanted to send in bakkwa. its the fragrance foodstuff new shrink wrap pack.

 

i thought i could share the joy.

 

 

have you been attempting to send over recently?

 

and say, what would be the best 'packaging' to send my stuff in? box? and what other categories can i declare it as, and it would look feasible on the x-ray/scans?

 

[DavidLee]

i wont risk it too

i sent bakkwa to my old college friends 3 consecutive times

Ist blur declared preserved meat - never reached them

2nd smart declared as pseudo-meat for decoration - never reached them

3rd attempt - smarter still - declared as gift - never reached them

friends claimed never reached them and told me, they dont really like bakkea and not to send anymore

my suspicion is that they have eaten at least on two occasions

the next time i meet them they are going to get it

 

but on a serious note, USA have been extremely strict recently

dont get your friends relatives in trouble

you never know and some bakkwa does looked like old C4 that has been left out in the sun for just too long

 

[Headshok]

hi there,

 

i've sent the exact same bakkwa to the USA b4.

 

Here's what i did:

 

I used speed post EMS service. Its more expensive that regular mail, but it's fast and it works.

 

Make sure u wrap up the bak kwa so that it cnanot be seen, go to the post office and buy their padded evelope.

 

Then tell them u want to send via EMS. They will give you a form.

 

You will need your friend's contact no. in the USA.

 

Declare it as a " gift" and declare it as something else " leather art pieces or whatever", then just declare like maybe $10- 20 SGD. DON NOT SAY ITS MEAT.

 

shipping will cost maybe $60-$80 . But it worked for me.

 

I sent bak kwa to one of my manufacturers in the USA ( chinese guy too), who loves it.. haha

 

 

Hope this helps!

 

Cheers!

Edited February 6, 2010 by Headshok

[Karebu]

why do you need their number btw?

 

and would it be possible to mail it by going thru the FDA?

 

also im sending 1kg. i feel abit too heavy for art pieces lei. haha

[Mazdaowner]

i wont risk it too

i sent bakkwa to my old college friends 3 consecutive times

Ist blur declared preserved meat - never reached them

2nd smart declared as pseudo-meat for decoration - never reached them

3rd attempt - smarter still - declared as gift - never reached them

friends claimed never reached them and told me, they dont really like bakkea and not to send anymore

my suspicion is that they have eaten at least on two occasions

the next time i meet them they are going to get it

 

but on a serious note, USA have been extremely strict recently

dont get your friends relatives in trouble

you never know and some bakkwa does looked like old C4 that has been left out in the sun for just too long

 

A long time back, before the word "Osama" was know, anything could go thru.

BTW, C4 doesn't look anything like bak kwa hor. Even if left in the sun. I worked with C4

for 8yrs and did ordnance and disposal as well. And C4 comes in roll form. Not sheets.

[Mazdaowner]

why do you need their number btw?

 

and would it be possible to mail it by going thru the FDA?

 

also im sending 1kg. i feel abit too heavy for art pieces lei. haha

 

EMS is express service, so they will need to call your friend when the item is due for delivery or if

he's not home to inform him etc..

 

FDA will dump your bak kwa in the trash. But actually, they'll be enjoying it on their own.

 

Preserved Sweet Meats. Yummy, yummy.

[DavidLee]

A long time back, before the word "Osama" was know, anything could go thru.

BTW, C4 doesn't look anything like bak kwa hor. Even if left in the sun. I worked with C4

for 8yrs and did ordnance and disposal as well. And C4 comes in roll form. Not sheets.

sorri

trying to throw smoke and look impressive

thanks for pecah lobang

the C4 i was referring appears only in Hollywood

 

 

[Mazdaowner]

sorri

trying to throw smoke and look impressive

thanks for pecah lobang

the C4 i was referring appears only in Hollywood

 

You're always welcome. [laugh]

[Headshok]

bro,

 

i send b4.. :)

 

u need the other side's contact number cos its a courier service.

 

Thus they will call the guy up if he's not home or watever :)

 

they dont just drop in the mail box type.

 

i'll be sending another KG up soon :)

 

Cheers