Did anybody face problems taking up Indian Groceries from India?

Sunitha,
Thanks for the link..

I found the following list and no mention abt legumes and pulses...to my surprise...i found FISH...

General List of Approved Products
Aloe Vera (above ground parts)
Bat nut or devil pod (Trapa bicornis)
Breads, cakes, cookies, and other bakery goods
Candies
Cannonball fruit
Chinese water chestnut
Coffee (roasted beans only)
Fish
* Flower bulbs
Fruits, canned
Garlic cloves (peeled)
Lily bulbs (Lilium spp.) for planting
Maguey leaf
Matsutake
Mushrooms
Nuts (roasted only)
Palm hearts (peeled)
Sauces, canned or processed
Seaweed
* Seeds for planting or consumption
Shamrocks leaves without roots or soil
St. John's Bread
Singhara nut (Trapa bispinosa)
Tamarind bean pod
Truffles
Vegetables, canned or processed
Water chestnut (Trapa natans)

Hi all...

I feel sorry for those who lost their things on landing US. But fortunately, we were not raided, when we landed DC on April 2008, they didn't even asked us to open it !!

hi,
i will be flying to US very soon. i was thinking of bringing few items like dals and masalas to tied over for few days. but after reading the post i am confused and in two minds. do i take them or not???? as i will be all alone and will be going there for the first time.

hai,
april mid i came here, i faced the problem , they aked me whether i brought dall or seed varieties, and also told me if it is there they will charge me, and randimly they checked the luggage.I brought only chilli and sambar powder.

We came last week from india to Memphis via scarlet. We did not face any problem. Ofcourse, we did not bring the banned items. Toor Dhall, and other Dhalls are permitted. Nuts are notpermitted except Cashew. We bought podi items and sweets from Grand sweets and Krishna Sweets. We did not face any problem.Seeing the various threads, i think we were lucky.

I returned after vacation last week. At SFO, they are randomly checking the luggages for food items. I too was asked to proceed to baggage screening for food items. At the screening counter, they asked me if I carried any dals, masala powders, jeera, curry leaves, fresh fruits, seeds etc. I didnt have any of these. When they asked what all I carried, I said just few fried snacks. As the screening counter was crowded, they allowed me to leave without screening the luggage.

All of you who return from India after the vacation, please be aware that you also might be asked to proceed to baggage screening at US airports. The selection is random.

My friend came to US last week, POE Houston. She got 'Jeyam' dhaal, parboiled rice (home made) and some sun dried papads etc., You know what, the customs people threw all her stuff in trash. Her another luggage had chilli powder, snacks etc., passed thro' the check. So it is case by case!

Rithi