Nothing tastes like home. It is no surprise that one of the most common questions we hear at our Lahore office is whether a family can send achaar, mithai, masala or dry fruits to a son studying in Manchester or a daughter living in Riyadh. The honest answer is: some food can travel, some cannot, and the way you pack and declare it decides whether it arrives.
Why food is treated differently
Food is regulated much more strictly than clothes or documents. Countries protect their farms from pests and diseases, and they protect people from unsafe or unlabeled products. Couriers also have their own rules, because leaking oil or spoiled food can damage other parcels on the same aircraft. That is why a parcel of homemade food is often refused even when a packet of branded biscuits is accepted.
Items that usually travel well
These items are most likely to be accepted, as long as they are commercially packed, sealed and labeled with ingredients and an expiry date:
- Branded spice mixes and whole spices in sealed packets
- Packaged dry fruits and nuts from a shop, in their original packaging
- Branded tea, biscuits and snacks
- Sealed packets of rice, lentils and flour mixes
- Dates in their original boxes
Even for these items, the rules depend on the destination. Gulf countries are usually relaxed about sealed packaged food, while Australia and New Zealand inspect almost every food item and refuse many plant products.
Items that are usually refused
- Homemade food of any kind, including homemade pickles, halwa and cooked dishes
- Fresh mithai and other sweets made with milk, cream or khoya, because they spoil quickly
- Meat, chicken, fish and dairy products, including ghee in most countries
- Fresh fruit and vegetables, including mangoes, which need special export permits
- Seeds and raw grains that could be planted
What about pickles?
Achaar is a special case. Branded pickles in sealed jars with labels are sometimes accepted, but the oil leaks easily during air travel because of pressure and temperature changes. If you want to send pickles, choose a branded product in a plastic jar, seal the lid with tape, put the jar in two zip bags and pack it upright with plenty of padding. Homemade pickles in glass jars are almost always refused.
How to pack food items
- Keep everything in the original sealed packaging with the label visible.
- Put liquids or oily items in double plastic bags.
- Pack food in its own box or a separate section, away from clothes.
- Fill gaps with paper or bubble wrap so nothing moves.
- Avoid glass whenever possible.
How to declare food on the invoice
Never hide food in a parcel or describe it as "gift items". Customs scanners easily see food, and undeclared food can lead to the whole parcel being destroyed or the receiver being fined, especially in Australia, Canada and the United States. List each product by name, brand, weight and value, for example "Shan biryani masala, 6 packets of 50 g" or "packaged almonds, 1 kg". Clear descriptions are the best way to get food through customs.
Country-by-country summary
- UAE, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait: sealed packaged food is usually accepted. Saudi Arabia has stricter rules through its food authority.
- United Kingdom and Europe: packaged plant-based foods are often fine; meat and dairy are not allowed.
- USA and Canada: packaged foods are inspected and may be refused; always declare them.
- Australia and New Zealand: very strict. Many spices, nuts and seeds are inspected or refused.
Our advice
If food is the main reason for the parcel, call or message us before buying anything. Tell us the destination and the items, and we will tell you what is likely to be accepted and which service to use. That way you do not pay to send something that will be thrown away at the border. You can also look at our list of restricted items and check the price to your destination in the calculator.
Quick checklist
- Only branded, sealed and labeled products
- No homemade food, fresh sweets, meat or dairy
- Oily items double bagged and packed upright
- Every item listed with brand, weight and value
- Destination rules checked with our team first