to lie to the post office about what's in my packages?

[dreamingbohemian]

Expat here, wanting to send a couple care packages home to my folks -- nothing major, some candies, biscuits, salt (don't ask!), chocolate.

DH kindly offered to take them to the post office. Whey they asked what was in the packages he replied honestly and they said they couldn't ship them as you're not allowed to send food from France to the US -- any food at all.

It's not a huge deal, but I know my stepmother is going through a really hard time at the mo and was quite looking forward to having some nice treats. So I'm tempted to go back myself and say the package is just a few christmas gifts -- no food.

They said if you try to send food it will get caught when they scan the package and will be sent back. I don't believe for a second they are x-raying and investigating every package sent so I think the odds of this are next to nil.

AIBU to try this? I'm normally quite law-abiding but I don't see how sending a few candies hurts anyone at all. DH doesn't think we should though.

YANBU. Stick a couple of cans of Dr Pepper in too. What's the worst that could happen?

The FDA link given above is headed "Sending Gifts to Your Friends and Family: Prior Notice Policy" so I'm not sure what you are reading to have come to that conclusion.

and the policy is for the whole world sending to the US, so no you can't send it through the UK.

haha Cheryl

I send chocolates and sweets to the US from UK and just write "candy" on the label. Always gets there too.

littlerats - I understand you were trying to be kind to your sister - but what you did was incredibly dangerous for Austrlian flora and fauna.

Please don't send prohibited goods to Australia - it has one of the most unique blend of animals and plants in the world - and they are only there still because Australia is so concious of protecting them.

at Dr Pepper

neuro I'm reading this bit:

'FDA and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) typically consider not taking any regulatory action when there is a prior notice violation (e.g., no prior notice) and the food is imported for non-commercial purposes with a non-commercial shipper. Generally, a non-commercial purpose is one where the food is purchased or otherwise acquired by an individual for non-business purposes, and a non-commercial shipper is one where the shipper is an individual (e.g., the individual delivers the food to a post office or common carrier for delivery to self, family member, or friend for non-business purposes, i.e., not for sale, resale, barter, business use, or commercial use.)'

Also from the Parcelforce site:

'All manufactured food and drink for human or animal consumption posted to the US by business customers, from countries all over the world, will be subject to prior notice being obtained before the item can be accepted for posting. The only exemptions are food made by an individual at home sent as a personal gift to an individual in the USA, and a manufactured item sent by a private individual. Business must comply with the legislation.'

I read the FDA rules as applying to businesses only, but Being right might not help you when up against a French official saying "non"!

I don't suppose you're close to a border with another country and maybe fancy a day out to a German Christmas market?

But what is the reason for it?

Yes but did you read the page here that is specifically related to individuals sending non-commercial gifts to their friends and family? it was linked to above. It clearly is not related to businesses. Or here from the FDA specifically talking about non-commercial postings through international mail.

Btw I really appreciate all the suggestions! (amazon, specialty stores, shipping from another country -- thanks ladies )

My stepmum is so sad right now she's losing her mum to alzheimer's, my dad lost his job, money is tight about the only good thing that's happened in the last year or two is when they managed to come see us and their only grandson! in France this year. I just wanted to send her a few things she enjoyed whilst she was here to cheer her up. So I really appreciate all the suggestions and advice!

The only exemption is for home-made products which must be stated. The rules are very clear, its all food from all countries other than home-made. Sending them from another country won't help, lying to the PO won't help. Just fill in the form, job done.

If you are really desperate and can stomach the £30 shipping charge (?!) I've used this company to get hold of violet syrup at short notice before.

neuro yes the bit I quoted is from that page on Sending gifts. The FDA page says the same thing:

'Non-commercial shipments of food arriving in the United States by international mail are generally subject to prior notice requirements. However, since June 2004, the agencies have been exercising enforcement discretion. FDA and CBP should typically consider not taking any regulatory action when an article of food is imported or offered for import for non-commercial purposes with a non-commercial shipper.'

Also, having gone into the actual prior notice form, it is clearly geared toward companies, not individuals.

For example this is how you login to access the form:

Accessing the Prior Notice System Interface

1. Navigate to the FDA Industry Access page (www.access.fda.gov5).
2. On the FDA Industry Access page, choose the Login button.
3. On the Login page (Figure 1), enter your FDA Industry Systems Account ID and Password.

PastGrace oh that looks great!!! I might do this, thanks a bunch!

Also, after living in Paris for a year, YANBU to lie to La Poste. The hours I spent in there... one woman would only release your parcel if you took your passport. The girl in front of me had her UK driving licence, and a photocopy of her UK passport, and a French bank card, and a utility bill in her name with an address matching the one on her parcel. "Non".

Nadia it's to protect the US from disease and non-native species. A lot of other countries do it too. It's not just foodstuffs, but anything that might carry a threat, like living plants which some pest species beetle has laid eggs on without anyone noticing. US border agencies are even more lacking a sense of humour than most.

Little rats am psml at destruction certificate for pork scratchings, how funny!

Just don't put on any sender info ( or make it up) then even if there is a penalty they won't know who sent it. I'd just go back with it.