BajaNomad - What food groups are NOT allowed to cross the border

What food groups are NOT allowed to cross the border

captain4tuna - 2-11-2010 at 06:16 PM

Hello Nomads...This is Rie, Captain4tuna's other half.
I know things constantly change but I'm wondering what foods if any can cross the border. We always buy the majority in Baja, but I'm curious as I would like to bring some items if possible.
Gracias

DENNIS - 2-11-2010 at 06:25 PM

Sushi isn't allowed. Absolutly no Sushi unless it's hanging from a fish hook, where it belongs. :lol:

captain4tuna - 2-11-2010 at 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS
Sushi isn't allowed. Absolutly no Sushi unless it's hanging from a fish hook, where it belongs. :lol:

Yeah baby...( This is Rie, NOt Captain4tuna) :biggrin:

We plan to have our own Sushi. Hopefully end of Feb is not too late for Hamachi. Cannot wait. LOVE IT.

Bob and Susan - 2-11-2010 at 06:31 PM

the liquor food group has limitations too :saint:

captain4tuna - 2-11-2010 at 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob and Susan
the liquor food group has limitations too :saint:

Hornitos, Mexican Cointreau, and Pacifos...What else do we need? Aha....Just a bit of Kettle One and some Lemoncello.
Mmmm Good.

captain4tuna - 2-11-2010 at 07:30 PM

Seriously though....Thanks

805gregg - 2-11-2010 at 09:10 PM

guns and drugs.

Don Alley - 2-11-2010 at 09:17 PM

Going which way?

Southbound, no bison. Really. :no:

tjBill - 2-12-2010 at 12:14 AM

You have to declare all fruits and vegetables. Its up to the individual agent whether you can bring them in.

fuelpusher2 - 2-12-2010 at 12:09 PM

Seriously though....Food groups not allowed going southbound into Mexico:

Meats: Beef (mad cow scare carried over from years ago), Chicken, Pork. If you do choose to bring any in, it needs to be in its ORIGINAL packaging. Again, it depends on the inspector.

Fresh produce: fruits (particularly citrus) & vegetables below Guererro Negro. They don't seem to care in Baja Norte.

They don't seem to care about canned fruit/veggies, packaged goods like cookie/cake mixes/cereal or bottled goods like oil, vinegar, jam or peanut butter.

You do have to be careful on the amount of wine. Not too many bottles.

All that being said, in the 20+ years we have been making long trips in Baja, we have packed 2 large ice chests with frozen meat, veggies, blueberries and 50 lbs of dry ice for a 2 day journey. We put the meat on the bottom, then veggies/fruits and topped with the dry ice. We don't say anything about these ice chests unless they ask. If they do, we say frozen veggies, pasta, ice cream. Only ONCE did they ask to see in the chests but when they opened and the dry ice vapers hit them, they decided against digging into it. We cover these coolers with blankets so they are not obvious.

We do have another ice chest full of drinks and snacks. They always ask what is in the cooler, we say drinks & snacks, they look inside and that seems to satisfy their curiosity. We've heard of them taking away lunch meat (because it was raw??) but that has never happeded to us.

Forget taking meats or fresh produce on the plane. They will take it away for sure. Friends have had lentils taken away at the Aero Puerto....they thought they were seeds......go figure.

Hope that helps.

Donjulio - 2-12-2010 at 12:21 PM

I really wish people would leave their coolers at home in the US and buy local. If you are coming to experience the Baja, then experience the Baja. There is nothing you cant do without for awhile. I havent crossed the border for a grocery store in 3 years.

Support the local economy. They need it right now. Just my opinion.

A Second

Bajahowodd - 2-12-2010 at 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Donjulio
I really wish people would leave their coolers at home in the US and buy local. If you are coming to experience the Baja, then experience the Baja. There is nothing you cant do without for awhile. I havent crossed the border for a grocery store in 3 years.

Support the local economy. They need it right now. Just my opinion.

Especially for anyone headed South on Mex 1, the supermarkets in Ensenada carry just about anything anyone would need.

DanO - 2-12-2010 at 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Don Alley
Going which way?

Southbound, no bison. Really. :no:

You have a source for that one?

Bajahowodd - 2-12-2010 at 01:00 PM

I think he thought he could just buffalo everyone. :yes:

toneart - 2-12-2010 at 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
I think he thought he could just buffalo everyone. :yes:

Who asked you to horn in? Let Bisons be bisons; a majestic beast from bysone days. :lol:

They actually grow wings in some bars. I gotta leave before I put my hoof in my mouth and somebody tans my hide.

Bajahowodd - 2-12-2010 at 03:03 PM

Another example of genius marketing. Buffalo Wings. What to do with one of the least edible parts of the bird. Throw them away? Nah! We know there's a huge market out there for garbage disguised as food. And they are not allowed to cross the border into Mexico as a result of the Sr. Frog's law.

Pompano - 2-12-2010 at 03:09 PM

Sadly for you, Rie.... lutefisk does not travel well...sigh.

Mexitron - 2-12-2010 at 03:56 PM

Quote:

We do when we can---last summer we ate the local food mid-peninsula for a month, but on some remote area trips the food has to be pre-frozen and packed carefully....so it makes it harder to buy local. But I agree---its fun to experience Baja fully integrated!

The Gull - 2-12-2010 at 06:59 PM

Brains.

The Mexican government checks theirs at the border.

The American visitor leaves theirs in the US before crossing.

That is the way it always has been, won't change.

captain4tuna - 2-13-2010 at 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by fuelpusher2
Seriously though....Food groups not allowed going southbound into Mexico:

Meats: Beef (mad cow scare carried over from years ago), Chicken, Pork. If you do choose to bring any in, it needs to be in its ORIGINAL packaging. Again, it depends on the inspector.

Fresh produce: fruits (particularly citrus) & vegetables below Guererro Negro. They don't seem to care in Baja Norte.

They don't seem to care about canned fruit/veggies, packaged goods like cookie/cake mixes/cereal or bottled goods like oil, vinegar, jam or peanut butter.

You do have to be careful on the amount of wine. Not too many bottles.

All that being said, in the 20+ years we have been making long trips in Baja, we have packed 2 large ice chests with frozen meat, veggies, blueberries and 50 lbs of dry ice for a 2 day journey. We put the meat on the bottom, then veggies/fruits and topped with the dry ice. We don't say anything about these ice chests unless they ask. If they do, we say frozen veggies, pasta, ice cream. Only ONCE did they ask to see in the chests but when they opened and the dry ice vapers hit them, they decided against digging into it. We cover these coolers with blankets so they are not obvious.

We do have another ice chest full of drinks and snacks. They always ask what is in the cooler, we say drinks & snacks, they look inside and that seems to satisfy their curiosity. We've heard of them taking away lunch meat (because it was raw??) but that has never happeded to us.

Forget taking meats or fresh produce on the plane. They will take it away for sure. Friends have had lentils taken away at the Aero Puerto....they thought they were seeds......go figure.

Hope that helps.

Thank you. We always buy most of our food SOB and always support the local economy. I do however like to travel with a couple of prefrozen items ICE and when we are in remote places and we are there alot. Rie

DENNIS - 2-13-2010 at 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by fuelpusher2
They don't seem to care about canned fruit/veggies, packaged goods like cookie/cake mixes/cereal or bottled goods like oil, vinegar, jam or peanut butter.

Wouldn't it be nice if Jack Daniels and Johnny Walker would start canning their product.

captain4tuna - 2-13-2010 at 10:03 AM

Quote:

As I've previously stated, we always do that. Never had any problems with Baja produce and or anything else. We fish and buy shellfish from the local fisherman. We're not ignorant gringos intent on bringing America wherever we go and who are afraid of Baja and all it's flavors. That is WHY we come to Baja. I just like to bring a couple of prefrozen items ICE and when in remote areas. Thanks for looking.

captain4tuna - 2-13-2010 at 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pompano
Sadly for you, Rie.... lutefisk does not travel well...sigh.

but I'm happy to leave it for the Norsemen and all the other fans. :smug:

P.S your photographs ar awesome.

Don Alley - 2-13-2010 at 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DanO

Quote:

Originally posted by Don Alley
Going which way?

Southbound, no bison. Really. :no:

You have a source for that one?

Here's my source: :biggrin:

Click on the link to get buffaloed.
Best Jerky in the World

One pound confiscated by Aduana at the Zihua airport. But, it was guaranteed. M&S replaced it for free!

wessongroup - 2-13-2010 at 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by fuelpusher2
They don't seem to care about canned fruit/veggies, packaged goods like cookie/cake mixes/cereal or bottled goods like oil, vinegar, jam or peanut butter.

Wouldn't it be nice if Jack Daniels and Johnny Walker would start canning their product.

thanks I needed that :lol:

DanO - 2-13-2010 at 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Don Alley

Quote:

Originally posted by DanO

Quote:

Originally posted by Don Alley
Going which way?

Southbound, no bison. Really. :no:

You have a source for that one?

Here's my source: :biggrin:

Click on the link to get buffaloed.
Best Jerky in the World

One pound confiscated by Aduana at the Zihua airport. But, it was guaranteed. M&S replaced it for free!

Here's where I get mine. Via UPS. Nothing like having a box of meat show up at your door. I bet boxed meat would go great with canned bourbon.

http://elkusa.com/