How to Smuggle Cheese out of France (Legally!)

Food — for some, it is all they want out of a trip. Bringing an entire piece of luggage to load up with chocolate, wine and coffee is one thing, but what if you want to get more adventurous with what you bring back in an attempt to elongate the joy of your travels? There are a few things you have to remember when entering the United States with food and, if you follow these guidelines, you will never have to give up your rare find to a border agent.

Food as regulated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection must always be declared. Even that innocent chocolate bar needs to be written down and failure to declare these items can lead to a fine of up to $10,000, according to the government’s site. As a general rule, most products commercially prepared, packaged and unopened are allowed in the country. These can include, but are not limited to bakery, condiments, alcohol and fish. Items almost always excluded include meat, meat products and produce. With regard to produce, you can check the online database to see if your particular pick is admissible. Unpasteurized cheese can cause some issues, but there is a workaround. If you get your cheese vacuum-packed before traveling home, it is safe to bring across the border to be enjoyed for weeks to come!