And the truth shall set you free!

By: Qwaider

On:Wednesday, January 02, 2008 8:23:40 PM
In:Thoughts
Viewed: (8717) times

Currently 4.6/5 Stars.
1
2
3
4
5

Rated 4.6/5 stars (92 votes cast) Thanks for your vote!

Consider this travellers' advice specifically for people going to the USA

Before entering most countries (sometimes, post entering the country) a traveller is often requested to declare things they brought with them. Every country has it's own list of materials that they may or may not like to see enter their land. Or at least control the amounts and methods they allow to enter.

Luckily, I have this philosophy, when in doubt, declare!

And I did just that!

I declared that I brought "food"!

I wasn't asked to declare the amounts and types of foods so I stopped at that.

My bags were "randomly" selected to undergo extra scrutiny. Luckily, I have declared that I had food.

Guess what! Almost EVERYTHING we thought is not allowed, is actually, allowed! Cheeses, nuts, spices, pastries, anything cooked is fine!

Things that are NOT fine are simply agricultural products (Raw Lemons, apples, oranges) and mostly on the fear of contaminating the crops in North America with some non-native pest. Basically pest control.

I was in the same area where they do all the checking. So I got to see other people who, didn't declare stuff! Let me just simply say, It's just NOT worth it!

Ask anyone who who was there, they will all agree, after suffering those fines that it was NOT worth it!!

So trust me, when in doubt, declare! Don't try to lie, you might get away with it couple of times, but when you're caught, they will make sure to make you pay for every single time 10 folds!

Other Memories Documented on January 02

On people, maturity and divorce..
by: Qwaider.
In: 2011
Viewed: (5411) times

Burn after marrying..
by: Qwaider.
In: 2009
Viewed: (5443) times

وصلت ... بس لسة مشتاقلكم..
by: Qwaider.
In: 2008
Viewed: (4168) times

ما احلى الرجوع اليه..
by: Qwaider.
In: 2007
Viewed: (5447) times

NEW NEST AT QWAIDER PLANET..
by: Red Rose.
In: 2007
Viewed: (7845) times

Who farted!?..
by: Qwaider.
In: 2007
Viewed: (5236) times

« وصلت ... بس لسة مشتاقلكم

عندما تكتشف انّك اكبر هبيلة »

Memories....

#1
Hani Obaid
Said
On: 1/3/2008 2:28:22 AM

They have problems with certain types of dairy (like the dried yogurt - kishik stones), and meat products (like samosas), and they will put the dogs on you if you bring cardamum (هال) for coffee, but what I hate the most is the TSA on entering the plane. They make you take off your shoes. Ughhh 10s of thousands of barefoot people with questionable hygiene on tiles that get cleaned once a day. Ah the possibilities !

#2
Mariam Ayyash
Said
On: 1/3/2008 8:49:36 AM

i declared i had tea bags, it turned out to be ok, but still, seems like i have to declare it! i dont know why tho if it is allowed why declare, and then the siwak was exported :( and they dont let jameed in, but it got smuggled few times :) i heard dry sage is ok in australia, because its dry not fresh, will give it a try next time, i sure miss dry sage