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Original poster

Taking my big tub of white powder on holiday

38 replies

fungibletoken · 06/02/2022 09:42

Can’t see this going wrong… Grin

I’m currently taking a supplement to help with the side effects of a condition and with TTC. It comes as a big tub of soluble white powder. Due to go on holiday in Europe in a few weeks and ideally I’d take it with me. It takes a while to build up in your system and I don’t want to potentially confuse or set things back by taking a week out.

DH reckons it’s not worth the hassle, as it’s pretty much impossible to work what restrictions apply to supplements, and it’s going to be a lot harder to explain your way round a mysterious white powder, even if I bring it in the original (oddly massive) tub with proof of purchase. I think better that than to decant a small amount into an unlabelled container or trinket à la Bridget Jones.

On balance he’s probably right but wondering if there’s another way. Anyone else had problems with supplements, mysteriously powdered or otherwise?

OP posts:
girlmom21 · 06/02/2022 09:45

Surely it's relatively easy to see whether it's banned in other countries? If you're not comfortable taking it in your luggage send it via courier.

Lady0racle · 06/02/2022 09:45

I really wouldn’t. It could cause you a lot of unnecessary hassle. Could you order some online to be delivered directly to where you’re staying?

TeenPlusCat · 06/02/2022 09:49

Definitely take it in its original container.
If necessary decant excess at home before you go so if it gets confiscated you haven't lost all of it.
Go through the red channel at customs.

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General health
Mrsjayy · 06/02/2022 09:50

If you decant its going to look like a suspicious white powder 👀 If you need it take it. Take your receipt

TigerLilyTail · 06/02/2022 09:52

I think it's fine to decant some to a pot or ziplock bag and take it. In the unlikely event you get stopped, they have tests that will show it's not drugs. Just take a copy of the original label.

Postdatedpandemic · 06/02/2022 09:54

I'm thoroughly intrigued what this white power is

Tabitha888 · 06/02/2022 09:55

Do it.... 😂 the. Update us on how badly it all goes.

Honestly it's such a bad idea.

Jacaranda75 · 06/02/2022 09:59

OP, I don’t want to say what it is, as I would out myself. However, I regularly travel around the world with packets of white powder and white tablets in my suitcases. Never had a problem.

JMAngel1 · 06/02/2022 10:01

Oooh this happened to me a few years ago with collagen powder supplement. I was very upfront about it - spoke to security straightaway - I kept it in the original container. They didn’t even bat an eyelid. Said I had got past the sniffer dogs at that point so they weren’t at all concerned. So take it in original container and mention it as soon as approaching security. Have it in your hand luggage.

TeenPlusCat · 06/02/2022 10:02

From watching various customs programmes on the TV (Border Control, Stop Search Seize etc etc) the one thing I have learned is do not decant . In original packaging they can check the contents and decide whether it is OK. Decanted they can't so may well seize by default. The drugs testing only tests for certain things, not every banned substance under the sun.

Mrsjayy · 06/02/2022 10:06

Just do as JmAngel suggested just be upfront definitely in your hand luggage, and if the dog comes sniffing that's on you Grin

whenwilliwillibefamous · 06/02/2022 10:07

I used to take white powder around in ziplock bags (sport drink mix) and never had any issue. Bear in mind Customs should have ways and means of definitively checking whether the dregs of white powder you have in a bag are cocaine or heroin or the remains of an escaped paracetamol!

ErrolTheDragon · 06/02/2022 10:19

DH used to quite often carry white powdered samples of a polymer, he always made sure he had lots of official paperwork. (And when travelling with colleagues in the US, they never had the guy who unfortunately looked like a stereotype of a drug lord carry their samples, he always got pulled over for an extra search. They used to factor it into the travel time.)

Anyway, op, do as others have suggested and take as much as you need for the trip in the original container.

TimBoothseyes · 06/02/2022 10:20

My relation in Australian Customs advises that you

  1. keep the powder in the original container and have the receipt to hand
  2. Only take the minimum amount that you will need whilst you're away
  3. be co-operative with customs and consent to having the sniffer dogs do their thing and the most important one
  4. DECLARE IT. Not declaring would be seen as an attempt to conceal which will cause no end of bother for you.

Like I said that's AusCust rules but it will be pretty much the same everywhere. As long as you are upfront about it then there should be no great drama, just a little bit of hassle.

Original poster
fungibletoken · 06/02/2022 10:25

and if the dog comes sniffing that's on you

Grin

FWIW I've seen enough episodes of Nothing to Declare to figure this is not a brilliant way to ensure a smooth passage through customs 😅 but it's interesting to hear others have been ok!

Agree about not decanting and taking as little as possible. I guess my concern is if they still have an issue with the substance. Seems doubtful - it's a pretty ubcontroversial sugar but it might be that it's not common enough to be expressly allowed if that makes sense? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inositol

Wondering about getting a more expensive tablet equivalent as that feels like an easier conversation to have. Don't know how disruptive it is to change formulation/manufacturer, though.

OP posts:
girlmom21 · 06/02/2022 10:25

@TimBoothseyes

My relation in Australian Customs advises that you
  1. keep the powder in the original container and have the receipt to hand
  2. Only take the minimum amount that you will need whilst you're away
  3. be co-operative with customs and consent to having the sniffer dogs do their thing and the most important one
  4. DECLARE IT. Not declaring would be seen as an attempt to conceal which will cause no end of bother for you.

Like I said that's AusCust rules but it will be pretty much the same everywhere. As long as you are upfront about it then there should be no great drama, just a little bit of hassle.

Australia are pretty strict so if this is their advice and you follow it you're unlikely to have many issues, especially as you're travelling to Europe.
Theunamedcat · 06/02/2022 10:27

Can you not buy it there?

PAFMO · 06/02/2022 10:28

There are a million products in the form of white powder.
I wouldn't give it a second thought.

doublemonkey · 06/02/2022 10:29

Make sure it's in it's orignal container and check the bag in, don't bring it on board. Should be fine.

CraftyBugger · 06/02/2022 10:29

We once got stopped going through customs as we had a tub of coffee that looked suspicious on the xray. It's not what they expected to find when opening the bag so rescanned it a couple of times to make sure it was definitely just the coffee showing up.

Original poster
fungibletoken · 06/02/2022 10:30

Oh whoops, from the Wikipedia page:

"As a possible use for the chemical, he suggested 'inositol nitrate' as a more stable alternative to nitroglycerin."

Yeah...I might not be so popular on a jumbo jet...😅

OP posts:
Luredbyapomegranate · 06/02/2022 10:32

Sad to say you won’t get the drama you’re hoping for. Lots of things come in white powder form. The chances of anyone noticing are very low, and if they do they’ll say what’s this? And you’ll say blah and they’ll say oh, or if they’re feeling v bored they’ll test it, and they they’ll say thanks and you’ll go. Take a print out of what it is maybe. Decant as you will. rock n roll.

Goawayangryman · 06/02/2022 10:36

The Wikipedia page notes that it is sometimes used a a cutting agent and it has been proposed as an explosives component 😂. However I'm sure you'll be fine if you take it in its proper tub. People take all sorts of strange, but legal, things through airports.

SpiritInTheNight · 06/02/2022 10:40

You can buy sachets of Inositol, I have the big tub for home and sachets for travelling that way they are clearly labelled

Original poster
fungibletoken · 06/02/2022 10:40

Sad to say you won’t get the drama you’re hoping for..

Goddamn, I'll have to get my kicks from something else!

OP posts: