We arrived in St. Thomas yesterday. For the third time this year, we brought a box of food that although we can buy here, it is much cheaper at home. Included in our box was 5 lbs of fresh spinach, a huge box of mesculan greens, eggs and a few cartons of cherry tomatoes. We have had no problem bringing the food as checked or carry on on American Airlines. We did have TSA remove a brand new, Costco size bottle of PAM. They wrote that it was on the "hazardous material list". Hairspray is ok but PAM isn't? Sounds like ignorance on the part of the TSA in NY!

Hello Carlbarry,

We just returned and took many things other than meat down with us on Continental Airlines. Although they inspected the bag of provisions which was a checked bag, we had no difficulty. I will say that although there are no issues with bringing grocery items including produce on the island, you can't take produce back home with you. Customs in St. Thomas makes sure of that!

Have a wonderful trip!

Deb

In general we have brought produce in every time we have come down (three times a year). We bring in tomatoes, carrots etc .0n the plane and check things like shampoo, bread, snack foods in our luggage. The only thing we were stopped on was butter in our carry on. TSA said it was like a liquid. I hope they had some good spreads when they went hone. And don't tell me that they throw it all away.

Have a good time

billd

My husband and I not only pack a cooler for the trip down but also, the last couple of return trips my hubby put produce, dry food, and meat in the cooler that we had left over and checked it. Customs did ask if he was bringing any food back and he told them YES but nothing that he didn't bring down with him. They said fine and sent him on through. Now......we did leave lots of drinks and other food in the fridge for the maid as I know she enjoys the "surprises" and taking things home to her family. But, there were whole things of cheese, pancake mix, black angus steaks, rack of ribs, bag of frozen chicken....that we had not opened or touched and the husband just felt that he'd bring it back with us. Next trip we will do better meal planning....it's always better to have NOTHING left except souvenirs, happy memories and dirty clothes on the return trip.

Thanks for all the information! It's also nice to know that I'm not the only one who brings fruit and vegetables along to save time and money.8-)