Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020 |

# Travelling with Necessary medical supplies.... Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Cook Islands
KathleenMckay 10:36 UTC 23 Aug 2011 | I have a 5 yr old child with a terminal condition. I am planning our dream trip from New Zealand to Rarotonga. As she requires expensive prescription only foods in bottles and cans which require administering via syringes (no needles) and feeding tubes, how do I find out how I can take these safely with me without any trouble with customs or immigration. She is unable to eat any other way. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. |
ozziegiraffe 11:34 UTC 23 Aug 2011 | I would speak directly with the airline, and tell them the circumstances. The will probably be very helpful. | 1
h2ooh 14:52 UTC 23 Aug 2011 | We often take food with us from the US to the Cook Islands. We've never had a problem with any pre-packaged foods. The immigration folks at Raro are easy to communicate with and I don't think you'll have any problem. If you think the specially-packaged food will be scrutinized by immigration you might want your doctor to contact a physician in Raro to vouch for you. | 2
KathleenMckay 19:25 UTC 23 Aug 2011 | Thankyou everyone, will do all of the above :) | 3
h2ooh 03:44 UTC 24 Aug 2011 | One more thought... chilly bins are expensive to buy in the Cook Islands. They also make an excellent container in which to bring your food. If you can afford to give one away it's a nice gesture to do so. During your stay you can probably locate a deserving organization, school or individual to gift it to when you leave. The Polynesians are a very generous people, gift giving is an important part of their culture. They'll remember you with a warm welcome if you return. | 4
lagoon 03:43 UTC 28 Aug 2011 | I also would seek support from your medical specialist to identify the contents of the food containers for both customs clearance from NZ, and arrival into Rarotonga. Although it is not routine for the airlines flying into Raro to accept liquids taken on board into the cabin (above 100mls per individual container), solid food items can still be taken onboard within the 7kgs passenger cabin allowance. Since the foods for your daughter are medically prescribed & sterile packed I'm sure that both Air NZ & Pacific Blue would have encountered this type of specialist enquiry in the past. It would pay to follow your enquiry through to ensure that you have foods readily available according to your daughter's feeding requirements. If in any doubt, phone your airline to check their policy. Packed foods can also be checked in with your 23 kgs baggage allowance. Formerly, from NZ we were able to take multiple bags which made up the total allowance - hence the so-called 'chilly bin flights' routinely came into being between NZ & the Cook Islands. Nowadays, to reduce the potential for paying the extra cost of another checked bag (starting at $75 for the 2nd bag), most Kiwis pack those light-weight cooler bags (purchased from Countdown & New World/Pak n Save etc) inside their one piece of checked baggage. Since lots of NZers take foods into the Cook Islands, it is helpful at the arrivals end to clear agriculture and customs inspection quicker if you produce an itemised list of foods & medications. In your situation a list of the gastric tube feeding regime would be especially helpful to our Ag inspectors in Raro. They may wish to discretely view the contents as well. All the best for your family's R & R. | 5
ozziegiraffe 12:15 UTC 28 Aug 2011 | Lagoon, I am interested in your comment about only being allowed one bag. Which ailrines have introduced this restriction? | 6