My DW and I are considering taking a short 1-2 week trip to the Montreal – Quebec area in Aug/Sept this year with our new TT. To prepare for the trip I did a some research via the web on the border crossing restrictions for crossing into Canada and for crossing back into the US. I was really shocked to find that both countries impose very strict regulations on importing food. Each country has their own regulations that prohibit importing eggs, meat, fruit, and milk in many forms (even my Fruit Loops are in danger – LOL).We've vacationed in Canada before, traveling via car but without a supply of food. I would appreciate hearing from experienced member how you handle the food in their refrigerator and pantry when crossing the border (both ways) with your trailer. Do you dump the contents of your refrigerator and pantry before crossing? Do you have any exceptional experiences with the border guards about food in any of your crossing?Thanks!

When we lived at the coast we periodically shopped for groceries in Bellingham WA. The only thing we were temporarily not allowed to bring back was poultry due to an avian flu outbreak. Normally they only wanted to know about tobacco and alcohol.Going south was another story. No fresh produce, we had a forgotten tomato confiscated (I hope she enjoyed her lunch), the dog food had to be sealed and contain no sheep or goat products (I am serious here)and on and on. :R

romore wrote:When we lived at the coast we periodically shopped for groceries in Bellingham WA. The only thing we were temporarily not allowed to bring back was poultry due to an avian flu outbreak. Normally they only wanted to know about tobacco and alcohol.Going south was another story. No fresh produce, we had a forgotten tomato confiscated (I hope she enjoyed her lunch), the dog food had to be sealed and contain no sheep or goat products (I am serious here)and on and on. :RI hope that emoji is a tongue in cheek symbol. If not I guess your response is another good reason for folks from the great white north to change their plans and not winter down in this draconian country.Personally, I love your country and have never had a problem with following your sometimes ridicules laws. It's just the price you pay for freedom to travel.

Last couple of years when we crossed we thinned the fridge out a bit. Made sure last summer we didn't have any uncooked chicken or fruits that might raise a red flag.They never asked or checked when we crossed from the US into Canada.When we crossed up into Alaska from Canada we were asked what fruit we had. Told them we had some apples and a tomato and handed them our bowl. They wanted that tomato so we donated it to the cause. They handed the bowl back- even with a rotting apple which I told them they could keep--- but they didn't want it.It sure was a nice tomato.

We cross border grocery shop (day trip) almost every month bringing food back from Michigan to Ontario. Other than poultry (current restriction) we have never had an issue bringing any food back into Canada. The American rules are so complex and seem to change so frequently that we simply make sure we have no perishables in the fridge/freezer when we head south and whenever we are asked about food, I always tell them we are carrying no perishables at all, and we have not been checked yet (knock on wood). When we go south, we always factor in a grocery run on our first day into the US to stock up on the perishables, besides the fact that food is cheaper down south so there is little incentive to bring lots of food south with us.

We cross-border shop groceries every week form May thru September. Other than poultry, citrus and root vegetables there is never an issue. Crossed two weeks ago to check our campsite; asked the Canadian agent he indicated there is no problem currently with beef, pork or dairy.

Did you dump your refrigerator and pantry before crossing?

36 Replies

Islandman
Explorer II
Apr 25, 2016
Every other year or so we travel up to the Penticton area of BC and bring several boxes of peaches and tomatoes from there back to Washington for canning and freezing. Never had a any problems bringing them into US; fruit and veggies from the Okanogan Valley are well worth the trip and are priced quite reasonably.
Anonymous
Apr 25, 2016
We cross-border shop groceries every week form May thru September. Other than poultry, citrus and root vegetables there is never an issue. Crossed two weeks ago to check our campsite; asked the Canadian agent he indicated there is no problem currently with beef, pork or dairy.
rwbradley
Explorer
Apr 24, 2016
We cross border grocery shop (day trip) almost every month bringing food back from Michigan to Ontario. Other than poultry (current restriction) we have never had an issue bringing any food back into Canada. The American rules are so complex and seem to change so frequently that we simply make sure we have no perishables in the fridge/freezer when we head south and whenever we are asked about food, I always tell them we are carrying no perishables at all, and we have not been checked yet (knock on wood). When we go south, we always factor in a grocery run on our first day into the US to stock up on the perishables, besides the fact that food is cheaper down south so there is little incentive to bring lots of food south with us.
americanrascal
Explorer
Apr 24, 2016
Last couple of years when we crossed we thinned the fridge out a bit. Made sure last summer we didn't have any uncooked chicken or fruits that might raise a red flag.They never asked or checked when we crossed from the US into Canada.

When we crossed up into Alaska from Canada we were asked what fruit we had. Told them we had some apples and a tomato and handed them our bowl. They wanted that tomato so we donated it to the cause. They handed the bowl back- even with a rotting apple which I told them they could keep--- but they didn't want it.

It sure was a nice tomato.
D_E_Bishop
Explorer
Apr 24, 2016
romore wrote:
When we lived at the coast we periodically shopped for groceries in Bellingham WA. The only thing we were temporarily not allowed to bring back was poultry due to an avian flu outbreak. Normally they only wanted to know about tobacco and alcohol.
Going south was another story. No fresh produce, we had a forgotten tomato confiscated (I hope she enjoyed her lunch), the dog food had to be sealed and contain no sheep or goat products (I am serious here)and on and on. :R

I hope that emoji is a tongue in cheek symbol. If not I guess your response is another good reason for folks from the great white north to change their plans and not winter down in this draconian country.

Personally, I love your country and have never had a problem with following your sometimes ridicules laws. It's just the price you pay for freedom to travel.
romore
Explorer II
Apr 24, 2016
When we lived at the coast we periodically shopped for groceries in Bellingham WA. The only thing we were temporarily not allowed to bring back was poultry due to an avian flu outbreak. Normally they only wanted to know about tobacco and alcohol.
Going south was another story. No fresh produce, we had a forgotten tomato confiscated (I hope she enjoyed her lunch), the dog food had to be sealed and contain no sheep or goat products (I am serious here)and on and on. :R

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Did you dump your refrigerator and pantry before crossing?

36 Replies

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