I'd like to send a care package of special grocery store items to a friend in the UK but I'm wondering if I need to worry about the package making it through customs. There are no restricted items, meats, plants or dairy. Just pre-packaged, store-bought food.
Reading these
postal custom regulations it sounds like I'll need to attach a declaration form to the package regarding its contents. (Which rather ruins the surprise, but...) What are the chances the package will be opened, examined? That wouldn't bother me so much but I've lived in countries where packages were "examined" and mysteriously disappeared without explanation, never arriving for the intended recipient.
The items are common enough for the most part. The only items that might raise eyebrows would be the 16oz of wild rice, a spice and 32oz of Vermont Maple Syrup. All in all, there are 13 items.
Does anyone have experience in this area? How should I proceed? What service should I use to quickly and easily get my package delivered? (U.S. Postal, UPS, Fed Ex, etc.,) I know to insure the contents and request a receipt for confirmation of delivery but I'm also concerned about spending an insane amount of money on postage! (I miss the good old days when terrorists were unruly neighborhood kids and businesses operated with integrity and honesty!)
Any suggestions?
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