Bringing ginseng and beef/pork jerky to Europe

May 19, 2013 8:54 AM

My parents are leaving from the US on a trip to Europe, entirely within EU Schengen Area countries. They've been requested to bring ginseng and beef/pork jerky by family. I don't think the jerky is admissible, but what about the ginseng? Port of entry will be Amsterdam Schiphol.

This and this seem to indicate that the jerky is inadmissible -- am I correct there?

As for the ginseng, my Googling is failing me. It's worth quite a bit so my parents would rather not just "bring it and see," as they'd prefer to keep it at home if there's a risk they'll have to throw it out.

The trip will include the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland and France. Thanks!

posted by andrewesque to Travel & Transportation (6 answers total)

Response by poster: Whoops, I slipped and forgot that Switzerland wasn't in the EU although it's in Schengen. These products would be for family in France, after my parents visit Switzerland, in case that makes a difference.
posted by andrewesque at 8:59 AM on May 19, 2013

Meat and dairy products are forbidden. So no jerky.

Ginseng will be fine in personal-use quantities.
posted by Jehan at 9:42 AM on May 19, 2013

But we do have ginseng and beef jerky in Europe. What is the problem? Its probably easiest to find in Belgium, though, because of NATO headquarters
posted by mumimor at 11:14 AM on May 19, 2013

What mumimor said.

Amsterdam has a big Chinatown with at least 2 Chinese "super" markets that sell Ginseng. (~9euros for a box of 30x300cc bottles....Just bought some for an out of town friend :)
posted by Spumante at 1:52 PM on May 19, 2013

dunno where they are going but most of western europe should have ginseng and beef jerky.
ginseng in any chinese supermarkets (see the above mentioned supermarkets in chinatown) and beef jerky, if not generic, than at least under the brand name "bifi".

good luck!
posted by ahtlast93 at 10:00 AM on May 20, 2013

Response by poster: Thanks for the answers everyone. I should've made it clear that yes, I know that ginseng and beef jerky are available in Western Europe, but that wasn't really my question.
posted by andrewesque at 8:46 PM on May 20, 2013