Cheese

[Billions 687]

I have been asked to bring some good cheddar cheese when I next visit Thailand,and am happy to comply.

 

To those that have done this before (I haven't),is there any methodology? Special packing,foil? it takes me an hour to get to my departure airport,then 2-3 hours at airport before departure,so goods would be non refrigerated for this time before being loaded onto aircraft. Any tips to ensure they arrive in good condition?

 

Also,what about non-vacuum packed cheese? There is a wonderful cheese shop near my house selling spectacular non commercial varieties....as these aren't vacuum packed,would they travel ok in foil and an airtight container?

 

Thanx for your advice!

Edited June 29, 2012 by Billions

[MM 6,562]

I'm not a cheese nor a packaging expert, so take this for what it is worth. I have seen many bulk cheeses at Friendship and Foodland here in Pattaya. I'm wondering if it is worth it to bring a cheese when it can possibly be bought here.

 

Oh, and I think a block of cheddar will look like Semtex to the Xray guys

[Billions 687]

I'm wondering if it is worth it to bring a cheese when it can possibly be bought here.

 

Obviously not,but the person asking me to bring some considers the supermarket picks to be unremarkable,hence the request. As a non cheese consumer (cholesterol issues) I don't know what cheese is sold in Foodland and how it compares to stuff here in the UK.

 

[MM 6,562]

Obviously not,but the person asking me to bring some considers the supermarket picks to be unremarkable,hence the request. As a non cheese consumer (cholesterol issues) I don't know what cheese is sold in Foodland and how it compares to stuff here in the UK.

 

I just hope he's not trying to save a few baht by having you be a cheese mule.

[Billions 687]

I just contacted my associate as to what he wants and why and got this back

 

"Extra sharp cheddar! Villa selection gets boring after 20 years!! Plus its 3x the price of cheese in the real world..."

 

So....anyone smuggled cheese before? How to get it to Thailand without it liquifying in transit? And what about the non-vacuum packed versions....any realistic chance of keeping them non toxic after sixteen hours in a suitcase?

 

I remember Taffy of the Hairy Pie Club in Bangkok having a freezer in his bar filled to the brim with pies and bacon,all brought over by customers. I think they were frozen prior to being transported though,not a good plan for my product.....

[Grandpollo 366]

Extra sharp cheddar is pretty hard and dry cheese. I can't see it going bad in that period of time. I don't know where you buy it but all cheese here is sold in a hermetically sealed package, not newspaper or something like fish and chips.

 

If yours is then put it in that disposable tupperware from Glad etc., and some tape to hold on the lid.

 

The only other concern is importing food at all. You can't bring cheese into the US and Canada for example and they have food sniffing dogs that find food, fruit, sausages and so on.

 

In El Salvador they have one dog who only smells out money including coins which is sort of ridiculous, really.

[Gabor 296]

I just contacted my associate as to what he wants and why and got this back

 

"Extra sharp cheddar! Villa selection gets boring after 20 years!! Plus its 3x the price of cheese in the real world..."

 

So....anyone smuggled cheese before? How to get it to Thailand without it liquifying in transit? And what about the non-vacuum packed versions....any realistic chance of keeping them non toxic after sixteen hours in a suitcase?

 

I remember Taffy of the Hairy Pie Club in Bangkok having a freezer in his bar filled to the brim with pies and bacon,all brought over by customers. I think they were frozen prior to being transported though,not a good plan for my product.....

 

I always take a big portion fine Emmenthaler with me... ( in Pattaya costs 10 times more ) I'm using cooling packs you can buy at any supermarket, usually next to the ice cream section... helps a little bit when packing with it some frozen hungarian salamis... Put it in the checked package, a few times the customers wanted to confiscate it as possible explosives... ( In Vienna I saw with my own eyes, how the officers share the loot between themselves... ) Don't worry.... following a few hours back in the refrigerator it will be fine...

 

Edited June 30, 2012 by Gabor

[jacko 8,813]

I just contacted my associate as to what he wants and why and got this back

 

"Extra sharp cheddar! Villa selection gets boring after 20 years!! Plus its 3x the price of cheese in the real world..."

 

So....anyone smuggled cheese before? How to get it to Thailand without it liquifying in transit? And what about the non-vacuum packed versions....any realistic chance of keeping them non toxic after sixteen hours in a suitcase?

 

I remember Taffy of the Hairy Pie Club in Bangkok having a freezer in his bar filled to the brim with pies and bacon,all brought over by customers. I think they were frozen prior to being transported though,not a good plan for my product.....

I am inclined to say go for the vacuum packed stuff, better chance of being okay.

Don't forget that most of the 16 hours is spent in the luggage hold at 35,000 ft where it is quite cool.

[ingo67 8]

Brought cheese over to Thailand several times; used a small zipped cooler bag that you normally use to take beers to sports events. 2 or 3 packs of cheese and an ice pack, stored in the middle of the suitcase. Never had any problems.

[keyman 1,413]

We've taken cheese, chocolate and other foodstuffs in normal luggage and never had any problems at any time. As long as it's well wrapped to prevent it bursting open in your case you shouldn't have any problems.

 

 

Keyman

[sinbinjack 251]

I am sure that I read on this forum that someone was making his own cheese and was selling it on.I cant remember the specifics but someone might when they read this, it may jog their memory and then getting good cheese in Pattaya would be a little easier .

[jacko 8,813]

I am sure that I read on this forum that someone was making his own cheese and was selling it on.I cant remember the specifics but someone might when they read this, it may jog their memory and then getting good cheese in Pattaya would be a little easier .

Correct..... I believe Bratpack had a connection.

[loupole 4]

I took cheese for myself last time, just a block of Cathederal City stuff, it did break up a bit and looked a bit sweaty when I took it out of my bag, but like someone said before couple hours in the fridge and it was fine, I nearly always take some with me, I like a little bit of it with some biscuits when I come back from a session.

 

Maybe next time I might wrap the pack in foil see if that helps.

[jacko 8,813]

I like a little bit of it with some biscuits when I come back from a session.

 

I always have some of that cheddar popcorn.......

With a smoky flavour cause I always burn it in the microwave.

[bratpack 91]

Correct..... I believe Bratpack had a connection.

 

My partner works for a hotel chain now Jacko,but ther place is at the bottom of soi nerm plab wan,and turn leftand its 100 mtrs or so on the left.Its called Nana cheese deli shop

[ttk 236]

The only other concern is importing food at all. You can't bring cheese into the US and Canada for example and they have food sniffing dogs that find food, fruit, sausages and so on.

 

I routinely bring back cheese to the US from Amsterdam. I declare it every time and have never had it taken from me. They only ask if it is "hard cheese". Edam and any of the wax covered cheese's are fine and I they pack well in the suitcase. Never tried carry-on since I get several types and it is easier to just toss in the checked baggage.

[Billions 687]

Cheese smuggling was very successful.

 

I brought about 5 kilos.....thirteen vacuum packed slabs of approx 400g each.

 

I kept them refrigerated until setting off to airport,then transferred them to a cooler bag I bought at Argos,and added two Freezer Tiles also from Argos. On arrival in Bangkok the cheeses were still very cold and hadn't sweated. The freezer plates were still ultra cold too....the aircraft hold must be a giant chiller.

 

So,mission accomplished. No issues whatsoever with Thai customs.

 

 

[harro1 256]

If you buy non vacuum packed take it to your local butcher. He will most likely have a small cryovac machine or similar and will vacuum pack it for you for a few dollars