Buckwheat cannot be imported into Mexico. And not only buckwheat, but also any other cereals, grains and seeds. This is the requirement of phytosanitary legislation, the purpose of which — to prevent the import into the country of quarantine pests, which may contaminate products of plant origin.
We are talking about the import or shipment of goods for personal consumption. Commercial import of buckwheat and cereals is possible, but the importer must still obtain a phytosanitary certificate. Mexico does not import buckwheat, because there is no demand on the domestic market, and the Mexicans themselves do not even know what buckwheat is. Buckwheat is also not sold in Mexican stores. From the demand that is present on the part of the Slavic diaspora, it is partially covered by the import of small quantities by private individuals in luggage or by «gray» imports from the neighboring USA, where buckwheat is supplied from the CIS countries. For this reason, there is always a demand for buckwheat in Russian-speaking groups in social media, question — in price.
But how can they be imported in luggage if they cannot be imported? Bfrom is imported at your own peril and risk. Customs clearance at airports in Mexico is selective; approximately a quarter of all arriving passengers go through it. During the inspection, the contents of the passenger's luggage are checked for the import of prohibited goods. If buckwheat or other grain processing products are found, they are simply taken away. No punishment other than the confiscation of the found goods is provided. For this reason, the maximum you risk is being left without buckwheat.
Whether they will take it or not, besides, it depends on the mood of a particular customs officer. In some cases, with a quick inspection, buckwheat may simply not be found; sometimes the customs officer does not know that it is cereal, and sometimes he simply does not pay attention to it, examining more suspicious, from his point of view, goods.
During customs inspection, both luggage and hand luggage are checked. For this reason, it is completely unimportant where you transport buckwheat. But, as we said, they have the opportunity not to inspect your luggage at all.
Here are some tips if you decide to bring buckwheat to Mexico in your luggage.
You are taking a risk. But the maximum that threatens you is — they simply take buckwheat from.
Make sure that buckwheat does not catch your eye when you search your luggage. The first thing a customs officer pays attention to is — a large collection of identical goods. Place in different corners of the suitcase. It is desirable that the packaging is opaque.
It is believed that cereals cannot be imported, but porridge in bags and briquettes is possible. Although this is not true, a product that does not look like cereal or grain attracts less attention.
If you no longer have the opportunity to live without buckwheat, buy it in Mexican online stores of Russian products or from fellow countrymen on social media.