Bring my own beef?

[mdono]

OK, I admit it. I have never been to Mexico! I've seen it from California but never crossed over.

We are headed for PDC mid March. On many trips to Caribbean islands we usually take some high quality frozen steaks, chops and burgers in a sealed cooler of course. (I'm in the meat business). Does Mexican Customs permit tourists to bring in food as described above?

Looking forward to the trip.

Thanks!

[Babaloo]

Originally Posted by mdono

OK, I admit it. I have never been to Mexico! I've seen it from California but never crossed over.

We are headed for PDC mid March. On many trips to Caribbean islands we usually take some high quality frozen steaks, chops and burgers in a sealed cooler of course. (I'm in the meat business). Does Mexican Customs permit tourists to bring in food as described above?

Looking forward to the trip.

Thanks!

Welcome.
Great first post.

No!

We have meat here. Steaks, chops and burgers.

[zelda]

Not sure why it's such a funny question?

I've always found this kind of thing a confusing thing to figure out. I did a bit of researching, but found it difficult to find the answer on official Mexico government websites.

According to this website, you must declare the meat products, but it is not on the prohibited list.

This website provides some good, detailed information including the packaging type and stamps required. I don't know their official source, though.

That said, the meat here is good and very reasonably priced in the grocery stores.

When I asked a similar question of Canadian customs (ie: what kind of food products can I bring or not bring across), the answer was vague (ie: whatever Health Canada says). Health Canada decides what may be a health risk at the time and then restricts it. This can change, depending on what's going (eg: BSE, new research, a new disease). I had an apple confiscated by US customs, because it didn't have a sticker on it saying what country it was from, but they didn't care about my orange.

Anyway, long answer, but I also find this topic interesting.

[Babaloo]

Originally Posted by zelda

Not sure why it's such a funny question?

I've always found this kind of thing a confusing thing to figure out. I did a bit of researching, but found it difficult to find the answer on official Mexico government websites.

According to this website, you must declare the meat products, but it is not on the prohibited list.

This website provides some good, detailed information including the packaging type and stamps required. I don't know their official source, though.

That said, the meat here is good and very reasonably priced in the grocery stores.

When I asked a similar question of Canadian customs (ie: what kind of food products can I bring or not bring across), the answer was vague (ie: whatever Health Canada says). Health Canada decides what may be a health risk at the time and then restricts it. This can change, depending on what's going (eg: BSE, new research, a new disease). I had an apple confiscated by US customs, because it didn't have a sticker on it saying what country it was from, but they didn't care about my orange.

Anyway, long answer, but I also find this topic interesting.

Sorry, I find it funny that someone would go on vacation and take their own meat.
Like I said, we have meat here and some fine meat if you go to the right markets.

And I was wrong. You can bring meats in if in sealed packaging with the inspection seal of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and documentation of where the meat originated (or the seal of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and where the meat originated.)

And I wasn't totally snarky. I did welcome mdono

[zelda]

Kudos for not being totally snarky

It takes courage to admit a mistake... and courage to ask a seemingly silly question.

[gingele]

Originally Posted by Babaloo

Sorry, I find it funny that someone would go on vacation and take their own meat.
Like I said, we have meat here and some fine meat if you go to the right markets.

And I was wrong. You can bring meats in if in sealed packaging with the inspection seal of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and documentation of where the meat originated (or the seal of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and where the meat originated.)

And I wasn't totally snarky. I did welcome mdono

It does sound funny, but it's not a surprising question from someone like mdono who has traveled to the islands in the Caribbean but not to Mexico. Good quality beef is hard to come by on a lot of islands, and even if you can find something halfway decent you will pay an arm and a leg for it. I know that people who charter often bring their own steaks and burgers down with them.

[Elysium]

Flashed back to a number of family trips we took to outer islands in the Bahamas in the late 60's-early 70's. Always had a big green cooler packed with meat and freezer packs for the 10 day stay. Beside good fish/conch you were lucky to find mutton on the island (apparently dad's destroyer was re-provisioned with mutton in WWII in the Pacific and he still held a grudge against the Australians)

OTOH, meat available in Mx is pretty good.

[Bluespicker]

I have a friend who raises beef in MN and he was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the beef in the Cancun/Playa area. There's great meat to be had here.

[roni]

Originally Posted by Bluespicker

I have a friend who raises beef in MN and he was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the beef in the Cancun/Playa area. There's great meat to be had here.

I have had great meat in Playa

[cmsitaly]

Me too

[roni]

Originally Posted by cmsitaly

Me too

Maybe someday we can have some great meat together, with our mates and friends

Don Jose Chicago used to have great meat

[Route307]

One of the things I love about Mexico is being able to get a quality meal. The islands I have been to have not been so good in the food department.

I like that the Yucatan can pretty much get anything or at least a good substitute without importing. Correct me if I am wrong (and i know someone will ) but I would say very self sufficient when it comes to the food and many other things.

I know someone who packs one full suitcase of frozen food trays to go to the Bahamas because the resort prices are crazy and also the quality.

I don't think it is worth it to lug around some meat. Just do ur research (especially on this forum)on the most recommended places to eat.

[Rissask]

I may be in the minority here but I don't like the beef in Mexico.

It might be because I am used to grass and grain fed beef, over corn fed? Not sure. Also it tends to be overly lean and tough and gristly....like El Fogon's arrachera (not a fan!)

I am not a big red meat fan to begin with but I tend to stick to the chicken almost exclusively down there.

I did have a great bacon wrapped filet mignon at our AI on our recent trip- but it was apparently imported from the US.


Edit: But I would never bother taking meat with me on a short vacation....although I might be tempted to bring some food in for a long term stay.

[CaptainBeachBum]

Originally Posted by Rissask

Edit: But I would never bother taking meat with me on a short vacation....although I might be tempted to bring some food in for a long term stay.

I find the Tenderloin Filet steaks delicious and well priced, and the Pollo is damn fine here.

Like the OP, when going to St. Kitts for two weeks each year, we always bring ALL our meats with us 1 large suitcase) from the U.S. as it's either hard to find, or insanely priced (for example a 10lb turkey goes for $40 plus in St. Kitts).

However, in Playa you will have no problem finding some good meat at grocery stores, or at restaurants, all at great prices.

[mdono]

Thanks for all the replies. I will probably source beef and poultry locally in Mexico.

We took $275. (value in USA) worth of assorted high quality meats to St. Barths a couple years ago. The same stuff, if it could be found would have been close to $1500.

Thanks again.

Itchin' to get down there...........