question...Sending food to the UK

Hi Everyone,

I was wondering if you all had any advice on how to send a few American food items to my beloved in Wales. I am not sure what is ok or not to send through the post or fed ex. I want to send simple things like girl scout cookies, "real" Dorito chips, and a few other snack foods. Have any of you ever had things not show up or get sent back as undeliverable? I sent a package once (did not include food though) and the lady at the Mailboxes etc counter said that I had to list every single item I was sending or it would be suspicious and they might not send it.
Thanks for your help

Denise

I have sent many things...and I tend to be pretty general on the customs slip..I always pre-box it myself though. I put things like snack items...small toys...I am not at all specific and never had a problem

One or two packages vanished..but that is out of many many many packages.

Thanks for the reply HG. It costs so much to send things. I want to make sure it all gets there ok.

D

I know....the cost is just insane!

You must list anything you send in a package for dustoms forms.  That being said, when i was in England my mom sent me a box with non-perrishable food items about every two months.  she spent about 50-60 dollars in postage for a good sized box with lots of food items - instant thai noodle dishes, dried cherries, instant rice mixes, etc.  The cost is high as the weight adds up quickly, but as long as you fill out the customs forms properly and there arn't any perishable items, they should get there fine.  I found big boxes such as these could take up to two weeks by air mail,  but usually closer to a week and a half.  i got every box that was sent to me and it was always a nice reminder of home.

My mom even had a box of florida oranges and grapefruits shipped to me in Essex and though it cost her a small fortune, it got to me just fine.  My British friends thought my mother was insane, but I love it!  I wanted to ship a box to my fiance's family for christmas, but unfortunatly they arn't allowed due to the potential to spread some new kind of citrus tree viris or something.  bummer. :-/

Supposedly there is a magical 4 pound limit when mailing from the US.  Packages under this weight limit a subject to much cheaper prices.  I know in the past, my mom has sent things in two packages weighing under 4lb rather than go heaverier, and the two were cheaper than one!

I was in the States about a month ago and sent myself a box of goodies weighing 14 pounds (!) which cost $40 to post by surface mail.  Only a few more weeks left till it *should* arrive!
I was very 'general' when filling in the customs form as well... just wrote something like 'non-perishable snack food items'.

Bring on the Fritos, Nutter Butters, Ybarra Mexican Chocolate, Hidden Valley packets, orange-flavoured Listerine, ... hell, i cant even remember what else is in the box!  It'll be like Christmas when/if it arrives!  

I once sent Twinkies to someone in the UK and they arrived in good condition, to my amazement. I have sent all sorts to the UK over the years. I just write 'gift' on the customs forms and I have never had a problem. I agree with everyone about the costs of posting.
Also, while we're at it, when ever you send something to the US, do you tell them at the Post Office that there isnt a letter in the pack, even when there is, so you can send it small packet rate which is cheaper than air mail?

lol Broxi WOW hope it all gets there ok.  You're sure to have a great time opening and remembering buying it and just how you thought you'd feel when it finally arrived.  LOL

I send packages all the time to Chris.  Just sent off 3 boxes of my clothing - Please cross all fingers and toes that these boxes arrive unscathed.  Its my clothes after all.  

I have had amazing good luck.  I'd say nearly every box has gotten there in about 5 days.  Possibly 7 days.  I am one that lists as much as possible on the form.  I don't want there to be any delay in sending the items.  I've even sent snack foods to his job.  All got there in 5 days.  I look at the customs form as another "check" if you will.  When the recipient sees that the box should have two bags of fritos and there is only one then that puts them on the spot.  Or it should anyway.  

Good luck and send away.  Its the mail coming from there to here you gotta worry about.  Sheesh.

If my mother sends a package (express mail - which comes out about the same as airmail + insurance and has the insurance included) on Monday, we get it Thursday almost without fail.  Now, if she sends it Tuesday - it can show up Friday, Saturday, Monday, or the following Tuesday!