Hi, we're going to Oman in March with our 6 month old baby. I've just been told that you can't take any food products into Oman, including baby milk and baby food. I'm not sure if this is true and wondered if anyone knew? I've checked the Omani Embassy website, it says you can't take uncanned food, but doesn't say anything about other foods. It also says that non-muslims can take in two bottles of alcohol. Seems strange you can take alcohol but not baby milk?
Does anyone know if it would be ok to take baby foods in? I'd be taking cartons of ready made baby formula and some jars or baby food. Would really appreciate any advice.
Thanks in advance
tammy123
1
george5
I would tend to agree with you that this only pertains to fresh food, not to canned or processed food. Fresh milk may be a problem but milk powder shouldn't be. If you want to be certain, contact the Omani embassy.
Alcohol may be brought in, but only by plane. No alcohol is permitted if entering overland from Dubai.
2
greasy4
Everything that I have found confirms that the problem is with uncanned/fresh foods. It looks like you should be fine if everything is packaged. Even in the US, the Department of Agriculture regulates what can and what cannot be brought into the country. It is a matter of health, not so much customs.
That said, at least in Muscat you should be able to find most of what you need. Carrefour is a massive supermarket, and the Al Fair supermarkets are frequented by most of the expats.
3
aki2006
I live in Oman and have been entering the country by road on three of its UAE borders (Hatta, Buraimi/Al Ain, Fujairah) as well as via the Muscat airport probably around 30 times. My luggage has never been checked at all. At the airport they will pass it through an x-ray but I assume unless 10 bottles (presumably of alcohol) show up on the screen they're not going to check it. At the land borders there's no x-ray and so far nobody bothered to look at my luggage. Some of my colleagues from Sohar used to go grocery shopping in Dubai when there was still no decent supermarket in Sohar.
I would say it's a very safe bet that nobody is going to care if you bring food in. Omanis are very understanding and gentle people so even if they do find your baby food and the rules say it's illegal I would bet a thousand dollars that they're not going to tell you that you can't bring it in. Especially if you're bringing your baby. Oman is not the US you know.
4
saver007
there is not any problem to bring any kind of food, i am from Oman, and i can tell you baby food & all kind of food it's allowed to bring. just pack them in proper way. and the Employees at the airport just will ask you are caring without even checking up
have safe trip to Oman, and wellcom to my country
Ahmed
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