From the horses mouth....so to speak

I'm glad to hear that you will be able to keep your plants with you. As I posted in a previous thread, we do a lion's share of our grocery shopping in the US and haven't had a problem in years.

What the border folks have always told us is as you described; reasonable quantities for personal use. Just be sure that you will be fine re-entering the US also.

Have a great trip. :C

As a Canadian my crossings back to Canada are focused on tax revenue. I have crossed the border hundreds of times and never been challenged on things like meats, fruits, and vegetables.

Crossing to the US is quite different and there are often restrictions, the only way to be sure is to check the web site before crossing. We've had food taken many times during the crossing and now we always cross with NO meats, vegetables, or fruits - it's just easier and faster.

As others have stated: crossing into Canada almost all foods are ok. Coming back to the US, we were scrutinized by US Border folks at Sault Ste. Marie and they took our fruits, vegetables and meats that we had in the frig. The meats had Canadian markings on the packages.

Unless you have that same border agent when you cross again, the 'rules' may change. The focus of enforcement seems to vary from agent-to-agent, border-crossing-to-border-crossing and day-to-day.

Your statement
"whatever you have in your personal motorhome is allowed and nothing is taken from you.:
is not wholly true. Most of what you have in your personal motorhome will be permitted but there are items that are regulated and will not be permitted even if you feel those items are personal.

I wish the Canadian border agent who took my small bag of fresh peaches had known this! :( Hope she enjoyed them. :W

Like most generalizations, there are usually exceptions. Just because something is in your personal motorhome does not mean you can take it between the two countries. There are prohibited items, such as handguns, items that have set limits, such as booze and tobacco, etc.

If you are bringing in house plants to admire, normally not a problem, if you are bringing in plants to smoke, it is a different story. LOL some people have had citrus, root crops such as potatoes, carrots, etc. confiscated at the border.
Border agents have wide powers to make decisions on the spot as to what is allowed and who is allowed. Just check the rules ahead of time and try to follow them. The worst that will happen is you may lose some food items or have to pay some duty if over on alcohol but there is a limit that you have to stay under or you need an importers license. Bear spray is another item that doesn't matter if it is for personal use and in your personal motorhome, make sure you follow the rules of the day on crossing the border with pepper spray.

Illegal, prohibited or restricted items can put a traveler in the cross bars hotel, with 3 hots and a cot, compliments of the government.

Just to add to the caveats....alcohol. The amount allowed is 1 liter per person, Duty Free. That'd be about 1.5 regular bottles. You CAN bring as much as you want, but you'll pay the duty on anything over. Also with smokes.You can bring as much as you like, but there are restrictions as to how much is Duty Free.

If this were the sticking point at the border..then the agent was correct, when he said as much as you want..he just didn't mention the added cost.

And the thought of a Criminal Offense was also mentioned? It's not just the driver, it's anyone in the vehicle..if they are identified as having a 'history' they will not be allowed in. And...DUI/joint 20 years ago? still an offense in Canada.



Gary Haupt

mockturtle wrote:
I wish the Canadian border agent who took my small bag of fresh peaches had known this! :( Hope she enjoyed them. :W

No way that any U.S. Customs & Border Protection Officer or a CBSA Officer would ever eat any seized peaches or any other seized agricultural products. They would be immediately fired for doing this. Goes to integrity so I am sure no Officer would risk loosing his salary and any future earnings over a "peach".

Also:

House plants may be allowed into Canada, but they will not be allowed re-entry back into the USA once they have been over the border. You might get lucky, but if I were you, I would plan to forfeit any house plants that you bring back to the USA from Canada. Your choice.

Lakeside

garyhaupt wrote:

And the thought of a Criminal Offense was also mentioned? It's not just the driver, it's anyone in the vehicle..if they are identified as having a 'history' they will not be allowed in. And...DUI/joint 20 years ago? still an offense in Canada.



Gary Haupt

Canada currently does allow folks with DUI convictions into Canada, with a wavier, which has a fee attached to it. I believe this fee is slightly over $400. So there is hope for folks who have a "little" criminal history and wish to visit the great country of Canada. Just open your checkbook!

Lakeside