Food import restrictions

[FrankC]

Does anyone know which food items are banned from being taken into Tobago? I contacted T&T customs but they refered me to a tel no in Trinidad. Apparently they do not have a list available online.

[David Watkins]

Frank,the food import restrictions are basically the same world wide. No fresh/raw meets no preserved meets no vegetables or plants at all.Things like sealed spices and tinned goods are ok.Most if not all that you are used to in UK is available in Tobago.If in doubt,don't.
David

[FrankC]

Thanks for the reply David. We thought as much. However a couple of places we have been to have some odd restrictions that you would'nt normaly expect. The accomodation we are going to has said we mike like to take our own favoutite snacks so now we know. My partner is allergic to certain food addatives and so she needs to be careful. As such self catering is a must for us.

Regards Frankc

[Clyde Alleyne]

Frank, your post didn't specify what king of food products you were interested in bringing in to Tobago. As a TT local, in the past we have brought in fresh fruit, vegetables, and preserved meats from Miami, and declared them to the customs officer who then called over the local plant quarantine inspector. The PQ inspector would look at the fruit and vegetables and pass them, look at the vacuum packages meat products (like smoked sausages, bacon) and as long as there was an American FDA stamp on the packaging he would also pass them. But uncooked meats with no labeling would probably not be acceptable. Snack foods should not present a problem at all. Commercially packages foods in tins or packages should not present a problem (I used to simply declare "Miscellaneous groceries" on my customs declaration for non fruit/veg/meat items and they never asked to see them).
hope this helps,
Clyde