House plants, fruits and veggies

Brynjolf, you seemed quite put off by my term "they". Is there a problem with that? Are you yourself a Customs agent? What term should I have used?

Foods NOT allowed entry into the USA: All citrus is banned. Lamb and goat for human consumption is banned in any form, also L/G in pet food. More than 50# of potatoes from Newfoundland are banned. Chicken from BC is banned. Whole tomatoes and bell peppers are banned. Sliced or cut up tomatoes and peppers are able to enter. Plants with soil on their roots are banned if not accompanied with a clearance certificate. Cut flowers are able to enter. Christmas trees are not allowed entry unless accompanied by a clearance certificate. Most meats from Asia, Africa, and Europe are banned. Moose meat, caribou meat, elk meat, bear meat, and migratory fowl meat is allowed to enter if crossing with the person who harvested it and that person is in possession of a valid Canadian license and that person has any applicable Canadian export permits in their possession. Hope this helps.

Lakeside

pigfarmer wrote:
Do they actually come in the motorhome and search? What about what is in my freezer? I of course have chicken, steak, etc. in my freezer. And veggies in my veggie bins.

Yes, "they" actually do - its their job; you are obligated to declare and "they" do (sometimes very thorough) random searches. "They" referring to customs agents on both sides of the border - Canadian and American.

The rules concerning what is allowed change frequently and if there's any doubt in the custom agent's mind, they err on the side of caution and seize anything questionable.

Personally, I make an effort to clear out the larder before crossing the border.

Plants are brought into Canada all the time. You have to look up the rules ...USDA certified...potted in sterile media etc. If you walk up to the border blind with plants in dirt you can expect a problem.

Going into the USA they only want to deal in commercial quantities. For example garlic imported to California is sold in the grocery. Bring the same garlic to Canada in the original package and you can't get it back into the USA. The grocery gets corn in from Mexico ... you can't buy corn in Mexico and carry it home.

pigfarmer wrote:
Thank you Eric. I got through on the 2nd number you gave me. I guess instead of going into Toronto to catch a game and to take the ferry across Tobermory to South Baymouth, we'll stay in the USA and go to the Upper Peninsular of Michigan by way of good old I-75. Yes, my plants mean THAT much to me. One is in an antique frog that was my grandma's and I'm pretty antique myself. The plant itself is over 50 years old!! It can't very well be replaced. Thanks again for the help.

Well I can certainly understand that, good luck in your travels. :C

... Eric

Thank you Eric. I got through on the 2nd number you gave me. I guess instead of going into Toronto to catch a game and to take the ferry across Tobermory to South Baymouth, we'll stay in the USA and go to the Upper Peninsular of Michigan by way of good old I-75. Yes, my plants mean THAT much to me. One is in an antique frog that was my grandma's and I'm pretty antique myself. The plant itself is over 50 years old!! It can't very well be replaced. Thanks again for the help.

If crossing a border into a new country you are required to meet their regulations.

They just randomly search vehicles; we're Nexus Card holders and are considered trusted travelers and we still get searched on occasion.

The bigger problem is not only getting into Canada but returning to th US who have restrictions often greater than Canada. Freezer foods have not typically been an issue for several years now and beef, poultry and pork are no longer restricted other than 50-lbs for personal use.

We cross back and forth sometimes 2-3 a week and we buy an lot of our groceries in the US. We never have a problem with packaged fruit or vegetables that are US produced. The only real problem is firewood and weapons these days.

Try these numbers: 1-204-983-3500 or 1-506-636-5064. Once connected, press option 4 then after that message, press 0 (zero) for an agent.

Hope this helps.

... Eric

I've been trying all morning to reach someone by phone - I get a recording saying they open at 8:00am but at 11:30am I'm still getting the recording! Does anyone know how to get through?

Do they actually come in the motorhome and search? What about what is in my freezer? I of course have chicken, steak, etc. in my freezer. And veggies in my veggie bins. We are thinking about keeping our money in the USA if they are going to be that strict on our food and house plants! Help.....please

This from the web site. Bottom line you are required to declare ALL plants not just when asked.