Would I be allowed to bring a kilo of cheddar cheese into Thailand for my own consumption? Are there restrictions on such foodstuffs? Thanks.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Bringing a kilo of cheddar cheese into Thailand for personal consumption is generally permissible, provided it is sealed and packaged for retail sale. Most expats report having successfully brought cheese into the country without issue, highlighting that customs checks may be minimal, especially if the total value of imported goods does not exceed 20,000 baht. It's advisable to be cautious with dairy products, as they can be subject to restrictions, but many expats have noted that they routinely bring cheese from abroad, with few complications.
Susanne *******************
We brought last year 9 kg cheese for our 3 month stay in the check in luggage without any problem.
Nick *******
I've bought back 4kg of Cheese & 10 packs of Cheese slices about 5 times. Never been stopped.
Timothy ********
Could be a gouda idea...
John *********
Very ok to bring to Thailand
Ibiza ********
I brought 5 kg of cheese for our friends.. Frozen first in a cooler bag..
Rousna ********
I always take cheese and Nutella. Nothing beats cathedral city
Jan ******
You can get it there
Martin *********
I do
Paulie ********
Yes I used to all the time years ago but now can get it at a great price check
expat store what they don't have isn't worth having
Zoe ******
I wish I had brought some good cheese with me. They are expensive here, even the basic kinds. You should be ok, the worst they can do is take it from you. Though no one checked our bags or asked if we had anything to declare when we came in.
Steve ********
You can, but beware that you can get in trouble if it's 'Nacho' cheese! 😅
Aki *******
This is the funniest thing I've heard! Why cheese?
Richard *********
sure but why? its cheap at Makro.
Richard *********
now ur saying its alot less in ur home country? worth bringing>
We bring it in a cool box every year. Last year they asked what was in the box. I said cheese for my Thai friends, they love it.
Customs officer put his thumb up and said 'you good friend'.... As someone already pointed out they don't like live plants so you need a phytosanitary certificate from defra and also plant passports for all of them. However, yet again,you are allowed 4 without the certificates. I took roses in for my mates and again when asked they let it through without asking for my phytos.
The cheese is poor and expensive in Thailand. Can't get anything decent. But make sure it's double sealed and beware of the wax truckles as they melt and stain your clothes. I got an electric car cool box from temu and it's fits inside your bag. Soon as I get in the taxi, it's plugged in.
I once brought in 4 litres of wine max aload 1 litre. I fronted up to customs showed them . They sent me on my way suppose paperwork to much trouble to pay duty. Food be different i would think are you willing to take chance of customs not doing a random check.
Michael *********
I always bring cheese, my Thai Mrs & friends love a bit of mature Cheddar 😂 & as your probably aware it’s v expensive for mediocre comparables.
my cheddar just went mouldy ...is there anything i can do....maybe cut around the edge ...inside might be ok ...not sure what i should do ...can some one please give me some appropriate advice....
Done it many times. Only issue I ever had was x-ray at m/cr airport, they told me it looked like Semtex but never opened the bag to check it. I was astonished !!
Shane ************
We got cheddar here. Even have bottled water. Amazing
The Thai FDA and Customs sites are a bit challenging to navigate, but generally speaking, sealed and made for retail sales packaged foods are fine to import if the total value of all goods you are bringing in to Thailand is less than 20,000 baht and not intended for resale. I literally bring a full suitcase full of food and snacks from the states every trip I make... You run in to issues with raw meat, plants, fruits, vegetables, and live animals that are not declared or without the proper import licensing and paper work... So... You know... as long as it is not homemade bathtub cheese in a baggie, you should be ok... Also, you can get cheddar here.
Rob **********
Yes no problem you can certainly do that, cheese is pretty expensive here.
It is not allowed, among other things, to bring milk products into Thailand. If you're lucky, customs will check and if you're unlucky, you'll go there
it won't spoil, the cargo hold is very cold. I bring several kg every year (Thai gf hooked on it). It's still chilled several hours after landing. And often I have no checked bags and I've carried in my hand luggage it's still ok - the overhead bins are not heated.
I don’t know what the repercussions are if they catch you, but the chances of getting caught are pretty low.
Bob ********
Surely countries have their reasons for prohibiting certain food stuffs...like for the prevention of contamination, or whatever, to their own sources...does that not count for anything. Is it simply a case of... "Bugger everybody else, if I want it that's all that matters" ?
fresh fruit and vegetables can't be brought in without a permit, big signs up at the airport advising of this and fines of 20,000 baht (from memory). Also meat is phohibited and honey to potect Thailand's agricultural industries. But in reality I have never seen anyones luggage searched