spouse of scouse

It sounds to me like the OP's parents are very much enjoying where they're living. Enjoying food from their country of origin occasionally doesn't negate that at all.

muggit

No, they've gone to exactly where they wanted to be, but every now and then would just like some old-country comforts

Thank you - I would say three times a year (their birthdays and chrimbo) I send them a box of stuff I know they miss and periodically they ask me to send a few staples like teabags and mustard powder - sometimes people just like what they like, regardless of where they live.

jonboy

Would the drug squad dogs at customs be up to recognising such items as PG Tips, Angel Delight etc?
When I was young uncles and aunts in the farming line would send a Turkey or goose through the post from Ireland to the UK wrapped with brown paper and string. It would be handed over by the postman leaking blood, we would then hang it on the back of a door until needed.
I'm not suggesting resorting to crime but is there not another way? I bet Brexit will not trouble those taking illicit substances, I'm not talking gravy granules here. Just a thought.

muggit

The main issue with it even getting that far is the customs declaration v the terms of the carrier - the carrier won't take foodstuffs so declaring it would cause them to reject the parcel and there's now a customs declaration to be filled out now which states I certify all info to be true/correct etc.
Until 31/12 there was no declaration so everything was sent 'household goods'. Now, you have to complete commodity codes for all the contents.

Rotor

For what it costs buy them some food , pack it up and post it with the Post Office , make sure everything is in original packaging and do a customs declaration , the worst that can happen is you lose the food , no big deal.

muggit

This is true - I already bought the stuff, it'll cost another £20 ish to find out I guess.

According to P2G, Hermes don't object to food, only perishable food - and this is all dry/powdered this time

The only concern is the statement at the bottom of the P2G packing lists;

Might have to try it and see what happens - I can book a collection despite stating the parcel contains food (or at least using the commodity code for food) so from that point of view, the customs declaration would be truthful...

cermignano

My sister sends favourite teabags to her son in Madrid. They are not perishables so is that ok still? You need a Declaration for anything. My son has just sent his Irish Passport Appication from London to Dublin. He had to get a declaration which was no bother

DLC

You would need to pack parcels following this advice and try and avoid these items (in Spanish) as they can cause the parcel to be inspected.

muggit

Thanks, I had seen that page, but it's dated 2106 and might not all be relevant since Brexit

I think that's the philosophy I'm going with at present - I'm not going to use the food (and bought it already) so may as well give it a go.

Alectryon

I sill like to have some British food and used to buy from a company in the UK and get it shipped out. It was expensive and delivery was quite long and expensive. I recently discovered a company in Alicante that sells a wonderful array of British and north European food. I had a problem only inasmuch as paying on-line was tiresome and frustrating but they sent me their bank account number number and I did a trnsfer from my local bank. Last Thursday afternoon I sent them an email asking for them to check that payment had been made. They did and they despatched my order immediately and I received it the following morning. All of the frozen stuff was packed in dry ice and received in perfect condition. Just type Eurodrop into your search engine and you will see what is available (unfortunately no Angel Delight). No delivery charges on orders ove €50.

missile

That is great service :-)

Alectryon

Yes indeed considering that it is a four and a half hour drive from Alicante to my house.

muggit

Quck update on shipping stuff - The teabags took a month to arrive with DPD; shipped 22/01, arrived 25/02 - this service took about a week door-to-door before the great exit
They got to Spain in a couple of days and were then stuck in customs for the rest of the time, despite the import charges being paid around day 10.

Latest parcel was despatched with UPS on 12/04, scanned in France 15/04, scanned in Madrid 19/04 and hasn't moved since. No request for customs fees yet either.
At the time of booking, the estimated delivery date was 19/04

Parcel2Go only offer a couple of services to Spain now, 1-3 days for £50+ (plus extra 'remote destination' surcharges), a couple of 3+ day services for similar prices and a Parcel Force 5 day economy.
Until 31/12 there were loads to choose from, including DPD, Hermes etc, but they no longer offer a service to Spain.
Not sure why Spain is a problem; for Gemany, Greece and Portugal there are still loads of carriers to choose from, but only 4 for Spain now.

Notdunroamin

Just looked at Eurodrop, there really is one born every minute!

bob_bob

Have you (or they) looked on Amazon Spain, not cheap but its all there (when in stock). We were flying from Cardiff a couple of years ago and a family was stopped and customs found a suitcase full of Greggs Corned Beef pasties they had 'for a mate' living out there...brits and brit food for you.