Can I take frozen food in my check luggage

[Ms_k]

I going to Jamaica this week and I was wondering could I take frozen food in my checked luggage?

[westcoast]

why?

[Ms_k]

I had a transplant in January and I just have to watch what I eat...so I rather prepare my own food

[x l ent]

I don't see anything against it on www.tsa.gov

[RockRobster]

Here is an excerpt from JA customs:

Persons who wish to import meat products for personal use must have:

a. meat inspection certificates from the relevant approved official
Government Veterinary Division or Ministry of Agriculture.

b. stamp of approval on all carcasses

c. an import license from the Ministry of Agriculture in Jamaica. The Jamaica Tourist Board will make arrangements to obtain the license, if given two weeks notice. Goods not in compliance with these stipulations will be confiscated and handed over to the relevant authority when detected.

http://www.jacustoms.gov.jm/home_tem...ted&group_id=1

I don't think you can bring in fresh fruits, vegetables or plants of any kind without permit. I don't know whether you can bring processed meat products. There is an email address on the website and I would suggest you email them with your specific issue and questions.

Glad to see you made it through your transplant! Be sure to bring plenty of your prescription drugs and have medical evacuation insurance in case things don't go well, healthwise. You may also want to get your med recs including imaging put onto a dvd or flash drive for you.

Have fun!

[alycat]

No problem, they never check the suit cases. Friends have brought enough food for two weeks with out any problems.

[VVHT]

I can't offer you any advise regarding what is allowed or what will happen if Customs finds frozen food in your luggage. My luggage was never checked, so I have no experience with Customs on this issue...

You will need to consider how long the food will be in transit from the time you take it out of the freezer and pack it, until it is unpacked in Jamaica. In the past I have brought frozen food from Boston. This included a layover in Miami. You also need to consider the travel from the airport to your hotel/resort/cottage etc... and whether or not their will be a freezer when you arrive. Not too mention if the current is operating or not!!! LOL

The day before departure I turn the freezer temp down and freeze what ever I'm taking extra hard. Wrap in foil and then in a Insulated freezer bag and then in a collapsable cooler. I usually put these items in my luggage as I'm walking out the door to the grab a taxi to the airport. Generally this will keep most items frozen for six to eight hours.

There was one time that my ride to Negril broke down in Lucea and it was a very hot day. Despite the wait for a new ride, the frozen items were in pretty good shape upon arrival.

Enjoy,

VVHT

[irieworld]

I know frozen foods are permitted through US TSA--even as carry on--if they are frozen solid. I am not sure out they are received on Jamaican end of things--I would suppose it would depend on the nature of the foodstuff you were bringing in. Probably best to check with them directly.

[Mr. Twister]

No problem, they never check the suit cases. Friends have brought enough food for two weeks with out any problems.

Never say never. They can and do check suitcases. I have experienced it firsthand and seen it done to others.

Your friends brought two weeks of food on vacation? Wow.......they missed out on lots of good local food.

[Yvonne]

I know of TS regulars who brought a suitcase full of frozen food for years. They didn't like Jamaican food! Go figure. Me... I usually freeze Jamaican food to bring back to the states. No problem so far. That's in 25 years of travel to Jamaica.