Hi All

Anyone know where I can get some silica gel packets. bought some pepper that I was told to keep as dry as possible before using and want to take home for the family.

It is vacuum packed in bulk now but I bought it to divide up between a few people so thought the gel packets would be a good idea to keep it fresh.

Also, if someone has a better idea than the gel packets I would be grateful.

Finally, does anyone know if there is a risk of it getting confiscated by customs on the way back to UK (main reason I would divide up before I leave and spread it out)

I found this:
Fruit

Fruit Apple, apricot, blackcurrant, blueberry, cherry, citrus fruits (all), cranberry, custard apple, date plum, gooseberry, guava,jambolan, kumquat, mango, passion fruit, peach, pear, persimmon, plum, quince, redcurrant and rose apple -
a maximum combined weight of 2kg per person, all other fruit 2kg per person

Vine

Not allowed: Ash, citrus and vine plants

I believe pepper is a fruit so it should be fine (under 2kg) but just wanted to check

Thanks all

No need if it is vacum packed, wait until you fly back then re pack it, 15 hours or so in a suitcase will not affect it. I bring back pepper, tea and cardomans etc from india all the time with no problems.
If you get nicked for smuggling pepper? great story to tell in the pub

charlie

tightenupvolume1 wrote: ↑Sun Jan 14, 2018 11:14 pm No need if it is vacum packed, wait until you fly back then re pack it, 15 hours or so in a suitcase will not affect it. I bring back pepper, tea and cardomans etc from india all the time with no problems.
If you get nicked for smuggling pepper? great story to tell in the pub

charlie

peeper is dried before its packed so it will be fine in the vaccum pack and if its labelled you shouldnt have any poroblems with customs. You can get good Ziplock backs it thai hout. When you split them just put in the bag and squeeze all the air out. i would be really surprised if UK customs gave you a second look. Depends on the regs for any countries you transit through and whether you have a stopover. If you take some ziplocks and they do want to open it up to check for drugs you cna resealthem in the ziplock to keep them fresh

Instead of silica gel, you could use rice. Get some small ziplock bags, fill em with the stuff, zip and tape/staple, punch lots of small holes in bag with toothpick.