Frozen meat in luggage

[APKetcher]

Dry ice is a no-no for the airlines. Used to do it until they asked and told me that when the carbon dioxide returns to it's gaseous state in the baggage compartment it's been known to displace the oxygen and in some cases kill any domestic animals traveling as luggage.

[lordgeoff]

Originally Posted by 2wheelin

Doing a week in the USVI/BVI with 6 wonderful friends next week. We are self-provisioning in Red Hook on our first day. Several of the crew are freezing some select steaks and putting them in their luggage when we leave for the airport. They are including some lunch meat and other items that can be frozen and putting the steaks in the middle.

Question: will the meat stay cold enough to remain fresh to cook the first night on the boat? It will be 10 hours from the time we leave the house until we can board the boat.

Thanks!

I regularly take whole sirloins from Oz to Malaysia. It is chilled and cryovac and 11 hours later it is still chilled. Maybe the hold in the plane gets colder?

[RedRider]

In this country, it's the USDA that regulates incoming meats, fruits, vegetables, etc. I once wrote a newspaper story on "The Beagle Brigade" at Miami International. When they sniffed luggage and smelled an illegal foodstuff, they sat down to signal their handler. The handler nicknamed incoming Madrid flights "the Sausage Express." The day I was there, she got one Spaniard carrying several pounds of it, which he denied, until ordered to open the bag. Angry about the confiscation, he intentionally stepped on the dog's tail. Irate handler took his customs form, drew a big "C" on it. She told me later, "When he gets to Customs they'll make him unpack EVERY bag and really shake him down."

[Stu Jackson]

Mark,

You must be aware by now that you are NOT supposed to let STATE SECRETS like this out on an internet forum.

To the OP:

You must be kidding, right?

If not, you have some serious issues.

Originally Posted by MarkJ

Bribing a US Customs officer could cost more than the meat is worth!

The way I would do it is to bring it in and DECLARE it. If they say no they will just confiscate it.

But please remember: as tiny and shoddy you may think the Caribbean islands and small town dumps like the USVI, they have heard of, and actually have SUPERMARKETS and these things called supermarkets have stuff called meat. By jingo, by crikey, they also sell toilet paper and bread and ummmm food. Plus the checkout chicks don't have a bone in their nose and hold spears. You are likely to get a full range of the best US steaks at prices not too much more than home.



Mark

[zeehag]

ye know, they DO have publix in st thomas, near the cruise ship terminal.... they DO have foood in it... the food is even for sale....
i heard rumor they have provisioner services in st thomas, but i do not have first hand knowledge

[Stu Jackson]

And, zee, if THAT'S not enough for the OP, I'd bet they may even have GASP!!!! restaurants.

[tdominic_97]

This is a link to Customs, http://www.frommers.com/destinations...islands/726157


It is altogether forbidden to bring into the country foodstuffs (particularly fruit, cooked meats, and canned goods) and plants (vegetables, seeds, tropical plants, and the like).

[Cadence]

Just pack it amidst dirty underwear to get past customs.

[MarkJ]

Here is the link to the supermarket at Red Hook.

Note the photos

Food Center Supermarket

[Perstarebob]

You will not go thru customs !

[senormechanico]

Now I'm humming this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9xL_OVvPn0

[Stumble]

Originally Posted by DMCantor

DO NOT DO THIS!!! As a college student, my mom gave me a lovely sirloin steak, hard frozen, to take back home with me. I tossed it into my suitcase, looking forward to a great meal. The airline lost my luggage. Two weeks later, it appeared. Not only was the meat disgusting, but all my clothes were smelly beyond salvage. NOT a pleasant memory. Even after 40 years, I can still smell that suitcase.

This is why I never travel with food that isn't vaccume sealed. Either buy it as a PISMO or seal it yourself.

And of course there are supermarkets all over the carribean. But they often don't have specialty things. In Jamaica for instance we can't get a cured ham, no idea why. Or Beef tenderloin, since the demand isn't there they don't import it. Some cheeses are hard to get, ect. Flying with ground beef is silly, but if you want something special or difficult to find in the states, bring it with you.

[jackj17]

Hi
Yes go for it I have taken good Canadian beef to Barbados and Europe numerous times. Wrap it up well and you are good especially with Beef Chicken or Pork I would be wary. If there is a better smell than Beef on the Que in Cane Garden Bay I am unaware of it
JJ

[Stu Jackson]

Greg & Jack,

Here's where he IS going:

Doing a week in the USVI/BVI

Jamaica and elsewhere then don't count. Nor does cheese.

[rods]

I note that someone has suggested the use of dry ice, be very careful with this, as I understand that many/most airlines do not allow you to put dry ice in the hold, or on-board for that matter. Something to do with the gas that it releases. Speak to the airline first, or don't use it.