Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

What foods can I take into the US?

56 replies

Itwillbefine · 12/12/2016 15:32

We're off to visit my brother in Boston on sunday and am finding it difficult to get a list of what I can and can't take in.

Thinking chocolates ok? The request for pork pies only if I don't declare?

We're taking an Xbox as the boys present so that bag will be opened and I don't want to risk being fined or whatever they do.

Want to take some local sparkling wine, I was thinking biggest risk is breakage?

Any thoughts gratefully received.

OP posts:
Original poster
Itwillbefine · 14/12/2016 12:26

The Xbox has been bought after thinking about getting it on amazon.com. We have a console crazy friend whose advice we sought. More hassle long term to have a us console. Can't leave behind, boys are only 8 and 11 they need a Christmas present.

Won't be taking oxo cubes, thanks for advice.

OP posts:
Artandco · 14/12/2016 12:52

But if it's confiscated they won't have a gift either anyway plus the hassle. It will even in uk have to be taken out box and through scanner like laptop so they will see surely. Is it for your own children? If so just leave here under tree for on return, take a letter from santa saying he's left a gift safe at home for return

MyGodLikeChin · 14/12/2016 13:00

Is it Xbox one because they're region free now so you can play American games on it would be the power supply unit I would wonder about.

MyGodLikeChin · 14/12/2016 13:16

Just looked at my Xbox one PSU and it wouldn't work in US, you will need to check yours but UK ones tend to be 220-240 & US I think are 110-200. Don't know how much they are to by a US PSU but that would work.

MrsderPunkt · 14/12/2016 13:20

So are you taking the xbox to unwrap on Christmas day and then bring home again and not as a gift for your brother? Why would you do this, it seems crazy?

Surely you can just give them an xbox game and a note saying that the console is under the tree at home.

Original poster
Itwillbefine · 14/12/2016 14:07

Because it's not a gift for my brother. We are going to open it when we get there (when boys not around) and see what leads we need, hopefully buy the necessary leads so when we wrap it and the boys open it it can be played. If it can it can't, I would rather have one bought in the UK.

We're meeting up with the console crazy friend next week for 3 days in the city so have time to source if possible.

Also my brother has these box power converter things from when they went 5 years ago for his electrical devices that needed it, so if that's the issue it shouldn't be a problem.

The 11YO would definitely not be happy to wait until we get home to get his sticky mitts on the actual console.

My DF thinks we're crazy going at all but I want my children to see their other cousins at least once in their childhood at Christmas.

I'm sure they won't confiscate the Xbox, my DF usually takes his laptop in his hold luggage, they just open your luggage and scan it and leave a note to say they've done it. I won't wrap it and they can do that.

OP posts:
Original poster
Itwillbefine · 18/12/2016 05:16

Thanks for advice all. Oxo cubes have been left at home, but forgot the bread sauce packets he requested and I think they would be allowed.

All packed easily into 4 bags, wondering if we've forgotten something major since it was so easy...

OP posts:
Want2bSupermum · 18/12/2016 05:26

I have brought over bisto gravy and oxo cubes with no problem. I had no idea they aren't allowed! Fresh fruit, veg and fresh meat products are a definite no no. They don't want to import diseases hence the strict rules.

DixieWishbone · 18/12/2016 05:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Itwillbefine · 18/12/2016 06:04

I was ready to break the US law and lie on the card for the sake of a couple of £1 boxes of oxo cubes, but being a rule abider and PP strong disapproval I changed my mind. It's one thing doing it in ignorance but when I knew they weren't allowed I bottled!

OP posts:
BradleyPooper · 18/12/2016 06:06

I'm in Texas and buy beef oxo cubes from my local british shop, not sure if they're supposed to have them. Google Parkersburg pork pies for the most amazing pork pies anywhere. They deliver fresh pies all over the USA. Bread sauce is easy to make from scratch and so much nicer than packets - Delia's recipe works well.

DixieWishbone · 18/12/2016 17:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Motherfuckers · 18/12/2016 17:17

Parker's Pies do pork pies, not quite the same and expensive. But they do when you get a craving

BertieBotts · 18/12/2016 17:28

The XBox will be okay. You can change the region on them, it's just limited so that you can only change it a certain number of times.

BertieBotts · 18/12/2016 17:30

Oh I see what you're doing. You won't need to change the region, if you're using the game it came with.

Original poster
Itwillbefine · 19/12/2016 10:21

I just wanted to report back re immigration. As expected took forever to get through, but we were last off the plane after being invited to the flight deck, boys loved it. Not so much the hr wait and when just getting to the front being moved to another queue. Missed the baggage carousel though, it had stopped and our bags to one side, almost like personal service.

So wandered through last bit with hardly anyone else around and no sniffer dogs to be seen...

Xbox unopened as was the bag it was in, friend is going to get us sorted to set it up. And bonus is DS1 saw the exact bundle in Argos window last weekend, from his reaction he will be chuffed to bits.

Should've brought tea bags for myself...

OP posts:
Pallisers · 19/12/2016 22:54

Should've brought tea bags for myself...

there are Irish (Barrys) and English (lyons) tea bags in most supermarkets in most places now - stop and shop/shaws etc. Get your brother to buy you some (us teabags are awful).

US butter is also not good - Kates Vermont Butter is equivalent to Irish/good UK butter.

Hope you enjoy Boston. It is a great place for kids.

BertieBotts · 20/12/2016 07:05

Haha, yes, sorry, should have mentioned the tea! No tea anywhere else is right!

Original poster
Itwillbefine · 20/12/2016 14:39

I normally drink pg decaf, bought some Lipton decaf which is like water!

Heading into the city today so may get chance to have another look.

OP posts:
Pallisers · 20/12/2016 16:23

you can get Barry's decaf in a lot of places. I've seen Pg tips too. Liptons is trash.

Enjoy the city. Just about to drop my dd in to go skating on the Frog Pond today.

Original poster
Itwillbefine · 21/12/2016 03:06

I looked at that but my brother was dubious it would be open.DS2 wants an indoor rink. I hope she had fun.

OP posts:
Original poster
Itwillbefine · 21/12/2016 12:53

Where shall I try for good tea bags and not too stupid prices? We're closest to south station T

OP posts:
Pallisers · 21/12/2016 15:45

Try the international section of any supermarket (stop and shop/shaws) They should have barrys tea in the Irish/UK section - it will be close to chinese/indian/mexican foods. Price is pretty usual I think.

Want2bSupermum · 21/12/2016 20:53

Worst case go to Trader Joe's. their English breakfast is pretty good.

Pallisers · 21/12/2016 21:54

Or make your brother take a trip to Greenhills Bakery in adams village (street) dorchester. about 15 mins drive from South Station straight down 93 (actually maybe less). He can get Roses chocolate, xmas pud, xmas cake, biscuits, chocolates, taytos, uk-style chicken curry, breakfast sandwiches irish/english style etc. Also can get proper sausages and back bacon in the butcher shop next door

Swipe left for the next trending thread