The French ration came with an adorable box of wooden safety matches, but the little definitely-not-flameless fuel tablet stove was hard to light with the matches (I wound up using a Bic Multipurpose long lighter). Little handle to hold food can over stove was oK.
Food wasn't bad. But neither is the food in regular MRE's. French ration food was more different than better, like some tinned fish thing and something else I don't remember anymore. The snacks were a little better though, but seriously go to a store and buy some chocolate and snacks, way cheaper.
Shipper (that I'm not going to name but is one of the big MRE online sellers) blatantly broke customs laws. They labeled it "camping supplies" which wasn't a lie but there are special rules for importing food and it has to be labeled as that. I looked that part up. Also the matches or fuel stove might have been a hazmat and needed special labeling, or at least likely need extra documentation to import. USPS rules, for instance, only allow matches to be sent ground domestically.
And it took a really long time to happen, like "in stock" definitely didn't mean in stock in the US (where I live). I'm not even convinced it was in stock in the warehouse where it shipped from, since it took a while before the shipping portion of its journey started.
All that said, I don't regret the purchase. It was fun. And I used the leftover stove fuel with the stove to heat some water during a power outage. (The next day my neighbor loaned me a small -I guess propane- single burner stove with a fuel can attached, so I got enough boiling water for a hot breakfast of instant oatmeal and pourover coffee.)
French Ration RCIR Notes
Re: French Ration RCIR Notes
Regarding the fuel tab, they are difficult to light if you're trying to light it from the top or sides. The best way is to get the flame underneath it. I sometimes prop the tab up on a match or stick, have held it before (gotta be fast when you feel the heat, haha), and have lit it from below the stove where there is a vent hole in the base. A few more times and I guarantee you'll have it down fast.
Regarding "camping supplies" There are special rules to import food into the US, correct. No ration reseller will be able to do that. Several have tried but it's such an impossibility to get USDA inspection certifications of the meat at the source that it's just not going to happen. Heck, when an individual sends an international package to someone for trade or as a gift, they're subject to the same rules. Any mailing of rations, that contain meat, will be confiscated if inspected by customs. If the blatant use of "camping supplies" is an issue for you, I'm afraid there just isn't a way around this.
Regarding "camping supplies" There are special rules to import food into the US, correct. No ration reseller will be able to do that. Several have tried but it's such an impossibility to get USDA inspection certifications of the meat at the source that it's just not going to happen. Heck, when an individual sends an international package to someone for trade or as a gift, they're subject to the same rules. Any mailing of rations, that contain meat, will be confiscated if inspected by customs. If the blatant use of "camping supplies" is an issue for you, I'm afraid there just isn't a way around this.
All the best, Gents.
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Re: French Ration RCIR Notes
Quoting my RCIR box.
"ARMEE FRANCAISE REVENTE INTERDITE NO RESALE FRENCH ARMY"
Sooo you have no issue with it saying no resale on the front, but you have issue with importing matches and some cans?
If you're so against all this why buy it in the first place...
"ARMEE FRANCAISE REVENTE INTERDITE NO RESALE FRENCH ARMY"
Sooo you have no issue with it saying no resale on the front, but you have issue with importing matches and some cans?
If you're so against all this why buy it in the first place...
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Re: French Ration RCIR Notes
Yeah, if that had been labelled honestly you'd never have received it.
Re: French Ration RCIR Notes
ANY fuel tablets are hard to light with matches...
You are welcome to turn yourself in for "buying illegal imported food".
Re: French Ration RCIR Notes
Surely part of the novelty of trying international rations is seeing what other folks eat?
So you'd be disappointed if they weren't different!
So you'd be disappointed if they weren't different!
Re: French Ration RCIR Notes
Might as well throw money down the drain if you want the rations to be labelled as food for US bound shipments.Sernaker wrote: ↑Sun Sep 05, 2021 3:32 pmShipper (that I'm not going to name but is one of the big MRE online sellers) blatantly broke customs laws. They labeled it "camping supplies" which wasn't a lie but there are special rules for importing food and it has to be labeled as that. I looked that part up. Also the matches or fuel stove might have been a hazmat and needed special labeling, or at least likely need extra documentation to import. USPS rules, for instance, only allow matches to be sent ground domestically.