Checking a Box of Food?

Well, how do you think crackers (chips, cookies, etc.) get to the store? They are shipped in boxes! So breakage won't be a problem.
But is it really worth it? Is it going to cost you extra? If you are flying an airline that allows one bag per person and you REALLY want to bring food I would just pack it in a hard side suitcase.

I packed snacks spread out amongst our bags when we went to Disney World, only because grocery shopping wasn't a viable option. Unless your in-laws live 100 miles from the nearest grocery store, I don't understand why youre packing food and not just shopping when you get there.

ETA: If you had simply provided the information that you were traveling internationally, many of us would have understood your reasoning for wanting to travel with food. Next time you decide to leave out important information, don't get pissy with the answers you get.

Since a checked bag generally costs $25, I would probably just make a trip to the grocery store when you get where you're going.

Personally, I would balance the cost of checking a box of food and the hassle of moving it against the cost/annoyance of having to buy food there, and I would not bring a box of food. You're probably going to pay $25 to check the box on the plane. Unless you are dealing with major food allergies or other health issues, will you really not be able to find some acceptable snack alternatives in your in-laws' area? I would bring a few items that I can carry onto the plane and leave it at that.

ETA: Now that I understand you are going overseas, it is clearer why you would be asking the question. I still wouldn't bring foods with me, but that's because we take our kids for 2 months to my husband's home country in East Africa and it would be really impractical. My students are told to bring extra snack foods for their 3 week trip, however, so I understand your logic. Anyway, ditto to Leigh R's response--I'd recommend distributing the food stuffs among various bags, and just take an extra bag which you won't miss if you leave it there. That bag also can be useful for bringing back souvenirs, however!

Enjoy your trip and visit with the relatives.

You are allowed 5 pieces of luggage for 5 persons. Just take 3 suitcases rather than a box. the wheels will make it easier to lug around.

We've packed cereal, fruit and veggie pouches and diapers this way without any breakage. Just make sure that you don't exceed the weight allowance for any one piece of luggage and you will be fine.

Best,
F. B.

Are you responsible for paying for your own groceries when you are with the in-laws? If you are cooking there (you are packing tortillas), you'll be buying what goes inside those tortillas, so why wouldn't you shop when you are there? If your family has very specific favorites, why not ask your in-laws (or ask your husband to ask them since they are his parents) to put a few things in their own cupboards to give the kids a special welcome? That's assuming that your kids only eat certain things and that you are worried the in-laws will not have anything the kids like. Or perhaps the in-laws are on special diets or such a tight budget that they will not have and will not buy these things?

Otherwise the cost of checking is far above what it would cost you even to buy these things in a convenience store with higher prices than a supermarket.

Just take a ziplock bag with snacks for on the plane and put those in your carry-on. In fact, you can consider giving each child his/her own bag of snacks in his/her own backpack. Put in some activities for them too. Remember to follow airline regulations on things like drinks.

Is the destination Ireland as someone mentioned? Go to www.citizensinformation.ie and look up restrictions. You should be OK to bring in snack foods that are dry, but don't try for those small milk boxes (like a juice box but with milk) -- Ireland does not permit anyone to bring in any dairy or meat products even for personal consumption. (No jerky....!)

Otherwise, I'd say you're fine, but to be safe, bring things in their original U.S. packaging in case customs in Ireland gets curious. I would take three suitcases instead of two and spread clothes and snacks out among the suitcases so you don't have one suitcase loaded up with food; that could get it opened and inspected because they may want to know if you plan to resell it (I know you won't but they have to ask if they see a lot of foodstuffs coming in--they would not stop you but might be obliged to check the bag). Then you have one empty suitcase at the end of your stay and can pack that with whatever souvenirs you buy or are given.

We go to England each year and though I'm not sure if Ireland is more or less expensive for Americans (current rate now is one British pound to $1.70 so it's lousy for us), I do find a lot of very inexpensive snacks there, many costing less than in the U.S. (crackers, graham crackers, snack bars, dried fruit packets etc.).

I'm sorry some folks didn't answer the question directly but the original post didn't say you were going overseas.

How about you go to the store when you get there?

Eta: This is Ireland, right? Seems the logical thing to do is call the airline and check the TSA website for restrictions.

Original:
Seems like a lot of trouble especially if your destination has grocery stores!

We've done this and occasionally had issues with air pressure (glass jars of baby food and any other bottles explode, fyi). Last time I ordered food from amazon (they have groceries) and had it delivered around the time we arrived, which worked great.

My in-laws live an hour and half from the nearest Walmart, 3 hours from 'civilization'.

I would bring it in your carry on and buy the food you want for the week while in the in-laws town.

I just traveled and we needed to pay $25 a bag (I packed 2 bags for 4 people). Depending on your airline, you may end up paying a lot.

Check into mailing your snacks/food to your in-laws. It would be a lot cheaper and easier then bringing it as a checked bag.

I understand if you or someone in your family has food allergies, it can be frustrating to find what you need in a different place. I bought my sisters food when she was visiting since she and my nephew have terrible allergies.

Have you thought about packing the box and shipping it beforehand?

I would buy snack foods when you get there, or ask your in-laws to stock up on snack foods for you.

I agree with Anne. Unless they live in nowhere, it seems like a lot of extra expense and hassle to pack snacks and use one of your luggage allotments for snack food. I'd just ask the in-laws where you could pick up snacks for the kids on the way to their house. Even diapers and pull ups I never packed a ton of. I put enough to get by for a day or so + travel in various bags (stuffed down the side) and bought more as needed at our destination. DD has traveled since she was an infant and we always found some acceptable snack food wherever we went, even if it wasn't her usual brand of crackers or whatever.

(I have occasionally brought prepackaged things home, but rarely pack much TO go to somewhere, especially if APHIS is involved.)

I will admit that after a trip I pack as many "grocery" type items that we have left over in our suitcases. I hate just leaving it in a condo or hotel room to be thrown away. I don't usually pack anything that we can easily buy at our destination.

M

We just flew us air and they charged $25 per checked bag if the bag did not exceed 25 lbs. I would go shopping once you get to your destination.

I'd check to make sure that you can bring the food into the country before planning anything. If it's ok then I'd probably pack the food in suitcases instead of a diaper box since suitcases are made to move easily. I'd bubble wrap crackers, cookies, and anything else breakable.

My brother lives in Australia and any time I mail stuff to him I always include some food he can't get here. His girlfriend's kids love bragging to their friends about the candy, gum, sweets, etc I send because 'it's from America'. I think your food will be a hit when shared.