Taking food to SXM

I have read that some people take their own food to St. Martin. I am wondering what, exactly, people are able to take through customs. Thinking of bringing some hard salamis and cheeses that I am familiar with and are my favorites here in the states that I haven't seen there on past trips.Does it have to be in checked luggage or can it be on a carry on?

Also, where is the best place to buy good cheeses? I read there was some place on the dutch side and it wasn't a Grande Marche or the grocery store in Marigot. It seemed to me that the grocery at the round about on the dutch side (near Mark's) had the greatest variety.

Thank you! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />

There are no Customs in SXM. There is a good cheese shop that gives samples in the Chesterfield complex close to the cruise ship pier. Prices are very good

Wendell

Other than the process of getting excited prior to a holiday, I can't imagine why a person would bring food, wine, liquor, cheese or sand to St. Maarten.
You will find the best of France and the Netherlands, in all of the major grocery stores.

Yes, you can bring in cheese and hard salami but like others have asked: Why would you want to do that? You can get all of those items and more right on the island - selection will be as good or perhaps even better that you'll get in Florida. Prices will be essentially the same or could be even better.

However, if you do decide to bring your own food products the hard salami can be either in your carry-on or checked bags. Cheeses, if they are "hard" can be in your carry-on. Cheeses such as spreads and "soft cheeses" that in their natural state that have a consistency of a "gel" WILL NOT pass TSA inspection when living the US so they will need to be in your checked luggage.

The grocery store near Mark's is Le Grande Marche. A good selection of Dutch and French cheeses.

If you are not particular about your cheese and are willing to purchase a sample pack, the grocery store just through Sandy Ground closer to Marigot (maybe US Market that became Simply)
sells a sample pack of 4-5 cheeses for a extremely low cost as compared to buying them individually. Usually has a goat, brie, a hard cheese, and a strong smelling cheese whose flavor is not as strong as it's smell. Supermarket has great meats counter and "safe" convenient parking. Worth the trip since we get our gas at the Cadisco nearby.
Best prices and 1-1.

As others have said, you can bring anything you want. As far as checked or carry on, Fletch was right on with his answer on that. For ME, I usually bring a very small carry on with just a few items of meat, etc., and keep it with me. Years ago, we packed some meat in a checked bag. Of course, that was the ONLY time we have gone to SXM that our suitcase went missing for two days!!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Mad.gif" alt="" />

With regard to finding cheese on SXM, there are lots of places to get it. The sampler pack that they have at Simply in Sandy Ground is a nice introduction to different types of cheeses. I remember the old days at Match, with the cheese counter, where we would just point and say I want 'this much' of 'that'. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" /> Good memories!

Enjoy your trip!

I don't think there's anyone who brings more food than i do!
I know I can buy the food down there, but it gets pretty
expensive since we always travel with more than a few friends and family. I've never had a problem with anything I've packed in either checked luggage or carry-on. Do whatever you're comfortable with!!!

with the charge for checked luggage I'd buy on island.

I know what you mean about "good salami" hubby is Italian, but he's happy with the one I get at the market in Marigot just past the athletic field. It's in the Howell Center shopping. They have lots of French cheeses and Pate too. Prices last March were less than Grand Marche on the Dutch side. Great bakery in that complex also.

Sounds like you're talking Super U. Their prices are better than Grand Marche, yes. They don't have a lot of US brand name products, but their prices for meats, wines, etc., are very good.

Thanks Carol I could't think of the name Super U. Because of French products I wouldn't buy any packaged things that require reading directions unless you can read French. But the rest of the items looked fresh, delicious, and promising. I remember seeing a rack of lamb for $12.99. Even if that was Euros I didn't think I wanted to cook it on vacation.

We bring down cold cuts and freeze in quarter pound packages we also bring regular cheeses just because they are cheaper,we have a small cooler bag, which my hubby uses as a carry on, and then you use it for the beach to keep drinks cold.We do stay for two weeks and saves us money for lunches...

Since that was on the french side, it was probably $12.99 a KILO.... We got brave and bought a frozen pizza there one time at Super U, even though we can't read french. Figured we couldn't screw it up too badly! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />

We brought frozen NY strips with us in a ziplock bag inside checked luggage. We read about someone else doing it on TTOL. It worked out great. We prolly wouldn't do it again since we love the french grocery stores. We enjoyed some weird mystery cold cuts last time. Well, my wife wouldn't try it but anyway the stores are fun.

Match was great for cheeses and cold cut meats. I found some nice stuff at the big market in Hope Estate but not sure what its called now and if they carry the variety that had before.

Carol -- didn't a French supermarket open up in the same location where Match once was?

Yes, the Super U is where the Match was, but they don't have the sampler packs of cheese and unless I have missed it, I don't think they have the cheese counter, like Match used to have, where you can ask them to cut whatever size piece you want.

to each their own...but still think it's strange that someone on vacation brings in their own food....especially with the price of checked baggage. years ago...maybe..now...a waste of money. I don't think we ever have not found something we have been looking for down there. I HATE grocery shopping with a passion, and i bet i don't go into a grocery store at home more than 4 maybe five times a year!!! Down in SXM...i usually go with my wife...and love seeing the different varieties of stuff they have. SXM is NOT a third world country....and unless there is an item or two that one needs to get and can't live without, bring it in with you...but part of experiencing the island is shopping where the locals do!!! Prices on some stuff may be a bit higher...and many lower. Every year we pick out a couple of items that we aren't quite sure what they are....and enjoy em!! We usually shop at Grand Marche...which does have a huge selection of cold cuts and cheeses. Also, plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits....although experiencing stopping off at the roadside fruit stands always is fun! It's vacation.....it's a different land....enjoy the experience.

Don't you wish people would just answer a question with out the lectures?
Yes you can bring any food into SXM and we always do. We bring Alaska wild salmon, great steaks and wild game sausages. All frozen and vacuum sealed. We also bring other different food stuff. Yes we can buy some on island but prefer some brands we bring from home.

So often, Scubaman, we're of opposing viewpoints but on this one I agree with you whole-heartedly. No one needs a lecture......... We all have our own reasons for enjoying our vacations the way we choose.

Last trip, April 2016, I packed a small carry-on with home made frozen meatballs, sausage and sauce and we completely appreciated that evening in enjoying a great meal with virtually no effort. Other years I've brought a few steaks from my butcher and when we traveled as a family of six or so it wasn't at all unusual for me to ship a cooler with home made lasagne and chicken cordon bleu. There are some nights you just don't want to go out and it's nice to have great options. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

My theory, to each, his own.

The OP stated he wanted to bring some hard salami and cheese he liked and couldn't find on Island. Why is that an issue for so many?

Can we just move on.

To the OP,

As has been said many times, there are no Customs restrictions. It's YOUR vacation, not ours. Vacation in the way that YOU want to, and, if you like, bring foods that you like.

You cannot take a jar of peanut butter in your carry on. It will be confiscated by TSA.

and don't forget, even with a cooler bag, you can't take any "leftovers" back into USA even if they came from there to begin with.

Indeed!!! I love the grocery stores on SXM and have tried things I wasn't sure about with success. We don't speak/read French and have been on the island only two times so we are still newbies, I would say. I would linger and browse the shelves in awe but my boyfriend has the energy of an Olympic running team and wants to be in & out & on to the beach! Last April, I had such a craving for a really good aged chedder...the kind that has those yummy crunchy crystals in it and very sharp. I do love all cheeses, even the stinky ones but sometimes my tongue just wants something specific. Whitney, however, could live on a protein shake. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" /> So, my thought was to just bring the few things that I know I will want so I don't have to hunt for them, and then explore the rest.

Am I understanding correctly that Simple U does NOT carry the cheese assortment but Simply DOES? It was my understanding that Simply was clearing their shelves to be taken over by Grande Marche. It sure did look that way in April.

Our best finds in April were the grouper fingers at St Martin Yacht Club and a delicious pizza at Mezza Luna in Sandy Ground. OH! And the pizza at the walk up window across the street from Mezza Luna...YUM! I know we will find new favorites this trip!! I know we should focus on French and Creole but I would love to find a good Indian restaurant.

Thank you all for suggestions and sharing your knowledge! I wasn't good about posting a trip report last time because we moved residents directly upon returning but I will post after this trip! 3 more days to go!!!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />

Tamra & Whit

Oh my goodness, Pat! I like the way you think and it sounds like you are a great cook! We should plan our trips around yours! LOL
Actually, the meatball thing is a great idea! Whit's favorite in the world is meatballs and red sauce (he could eat them every day...his simple pleasure, not mine), but he's laying off beef so we use turkey. Doubt we'll find turkey meatballs on SXM but we may be surprised! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

As far as Simply, the Simply in SANDY GROUND is still open. The one close to Orient was sold to Super U and is due to reopen as a Super U at any time.