Is it ok? Specifically cheese?
I think cheese is ok. As far as I know, only foods that contain a seed are not allowed.
Normally they don’t even open your luggage, and they would probably confiscate forbidden food items rather than fining you. Processed, sealed foods are probably ok. I imagine cheese would be ok. Fresh fruits and vegetables, live plants, and meats are probably their main concerns. I bring loads of food items in every time, and have never had a problem, except at departure in Dallas when they told me that my cajeta looked like plastic explosives to their machine. ‘’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’
If you’re leaving the US with the food in question, a word to the wise. If it is at all liquid or liquid-based, like my (amazingly good) homemade chili carnitas, you will violate the 100-cc liquid limit very quickly. However, if you freeze it solid in your deep freezer before taking it through security, they will ask you what that solid block in a plastic container is and then they will wave you through.
Once you’ve arrived in Taiwan, ~13 hours later, it will usually still be frozen solid, and at the very least, the center of it will be frozen. No worries about spoilage, and if it’s still mostly frozen, I’d pop it right into the freezer again.
I recommend these containers:
http://www.amazon.com/Ball-2-quart-freezer-preserving-container/dp/B002R9MPE6
Ball 85050 2-quart freezer preserving container, 8-cup
They are cheap, sturdy, stack together well, and they are designed for freezing.
If not … eat it before passing through customs … when confiscated, they’ll eat it …
Thanks for all the advice guys! Hope you all have a great new year 
Yea… its like -40 in the hold of a plane… no worries about the stuff melting.
I don’t know why would customs eat any food confiscated… it could be poisoned for all they know.
I think things like canned food or processed (dry) food is ok, because I had people bring them in all the time. Just don’t bring any fresh food like meat, fresh veggies, eggs, etc.
They do have dogs that sniffs for prohibited food items…
The 100 cc liquid limit is for carry on. You can put more in checkin.
I doubt the -40°C… or maybe that was why the dog in the hold on my last flight stopped barking after a few minutes flight 
As far as I can tell it should be positive temperatures in the hold (> 0°C), at least I never had freezable stuff frozen, even shortly after getting the luggage back… also no stuff that probably shouldn’t be frozen (Li-Ion batteries, LCDs, etc.) die on me after having them in the luggage…
I doubt the -40°C… or maybe that was why the dog in the hold on my last flight stopped barking after a few minutes flight
As far as I can tell it should be positive temperatures in the hold (> 0°C), at least I never had freezable stuff frozen, even shortly after getting the luggage back… also no stuff that probably shouldn’t be frozen (Li-Ion batteries, LCDs, etc.) die on me after having them in the luggage…[/quote]
Ah crap, I was planning on bringing back seeds to grow sprouts with, I guess that’s for sure not going to be allowed ?
Seed packets are small and easily hidden. 
Indeed, I had seeds in my back coming back from Europe, no problem at all and as long as it’s processed food, it doesn’t seem to be a problem at all and yes, I’ve brought in quite a few things into the country.
well no, I’m talking about five or six pounds worth; to eat, not propagate…I already checked and they can be mailed to me, I’m just trying to avoid spending $120 in shipping, but of course it’d be even more expensive if I have to buy them twice and then ship them because the first ones got seized : P
As long as they’re not pot or poppy seeds, you might want to risk it. Just don’t bring those two in, no matter what you do! What kind are you bringing?
all sorts… broccoli, alfalfa, garlic, mustard, radish, fenugreek… you name it lol. But we’re talking about $120 worth of seeds here so, does anyone know contact information for the customs department or something like that? I’ll just pay $170 and have 'em shipped if it’s illegal not worth the chance I’d say.
The thing with the poppy seeds is a pity, though. I wanted to bring some for baking, but didn’t dare after reading how the TWese laws obviously don’t allow that. Good thing that first time I came here the paste made from already crushed poppy seeds that I brought with my kitchen stuff wasn’t detected, as well as the poppy seeds cake I get from home every Christmas 
I doubt seeds will get through if you declare them, but I’m not sure. Mustard seeds you can get at local Indian supply stores like Trinity. Maybe fenugreek too.
There must be somewhere I can just call and ask?
yeah but these are rigorously selected specifically for sprouting and consumption. If you just buy seeds at the store like that, a lot of them actually get chemical baths to help them survive when they are initially planted. Not really food-grade quality.