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?

Community Alumni
Jun 08, 2016
The discussion is now going around in circles and with that I believe this thread has run it's course. The OP has sufficient info to decide what he should do.
VE3ESN
Explorer
Jun 08, 2016
garyhaupt wrote:
Its just amazing to me..that people ask for thoughts on the matter of food and crossings. They get all kinds of suggestions..(mine is always to go with nothing. That way...at least no hassles about that particular subject.) Then we have those that go with full larders and because they didn't get asked...suggest that everyone should do the same. Then those that have food, get searched, have food removed..and also suggest that a border agent is stealing it so they can eat it...good grief...You want no hassles? leave the food behind. You want maybe hassles..take it with you.

How much clearer can it be?

And yes, you are right...food costs are higher in Canada.

X3 Thank you Gary! You've confirmed that the most hassle-free border crossing from Canada to the US will occur with an empty fridge and pantry. I don't think it's an "overreaction" at all. When you're given a list of acceptable and prohibited products, and then, say, return to the US in a few weeks, the rules and regulations may have changed. Why take the chance?

Gary Haupt
Chiefelectusn
Explorer
Jun 08, 2016
garyhaupt wrote:
Its just amazing to me..that people ask for thoughts on the matter of food and crossings. They get all kinds of suggestions..(mine is always to go with nothing. That way...at least no hassles about that particular subject.) Then we have those that go with full larders and because they didn't get asked...suggest that everyone should do the same. Then those that have food, get searched, have food removed..and also suggest that a border agent is stealing it so they can eat it...good grief...You want no hassles? leave the food behind. You want maybe hassles..take it with you.

How much clearer can it be?

And yes, you are right...food costs are higher in Canada.

Gary Haupt

X2, well said Gary
2lazy4U
Explorer
Jun 08, 2016
garyhaupt wrote:
Then those that have food, get searched, have food removed..and also suggest that a border agent is stealing it so they can eat it...good grief...

Gary Haupt

I, too, have found the accusations that the border patrol are eating this stuff to be totally ridiculous and unkind. How many tomatoes can a border agent eat, anyway? Ludicrous.
wilber1
Explorer
Jun 08, 2016
We live close to the border and cross so many times that we just don't get excited about this stuff. We are always asked what we have and give an honest accounting of what we have in the way of perishables. We aren't going to jeopardize our Nexus status by trying to smoke something through that we know we shouldn't have. Most crossings are uneventful but every once and a while you get caught out by a change in regulations, or cross at a point that is very zealous about agricultural checks and you lose something that you weren't aware was prohibited. A garlic bulb was the last one that got us but that was a few years ago.

While some people may want the err on the safe side when it comes to meat and produce, in our opinion crossing with an empty fridge and pantry is an over reaction.

BTW

I don't know about all US crossing s but at Sumas, US customs has a list of current prohibited agricultural items and occasionally we stop and pick up a copy of the latest list.
garyhaupt
Explorer
Jun 08, 2016
Its just amazing to me..that people ask for thoughts on the matter of food and crossings. They get all kinds of suggestions..(mine is always to go with nothing. That way...at least no hassles about that particular subject.) Then we have those that go with full larders and because they didn't get asked...suggest that everyone should do the same. Then those that have food, get searched, have food removed..and also suggest that a border agent is stealing it so they can eat it...good grief...You want no hassles? leave the food behind. You want maybe hassles..take it with you.

How much clearer can it be?

And yes, you are right...food costs are higher in Canada.

Gary Haupt
VE3ESN
Explorer
Jun 08, 2016
Gee whiz, it's puzzling to me why several of you think that I'm all worked up over this. Actually, it's the complete opposite. We've crossed into the US hundreds of times, and this was our first "agricultural inspection". Fair enough; the US has the right and obligation to set any laws they deem necessary and modify them as conditions change. I too have the right to adjust my behavior accordingly, and feel that crossing with no food at all is the most prudent choice. Enough said.
obgraham
Explorer
Jun 08, 2016
All we're saying, VE3ESN, is that it's not worth getting all worked up over.
wilber1
Explorer
Jun 08, 2016
VE3ESN wrote:
Wilber1 said "Tempest in a teapot. Declare what you have and if the agriculture guys don't like some of what you have, so be it."

How is this a "tempest in a teapot"? Why should we "donate" our food and have to wait in Homeland Security? Better to cross with no food, and replenish later. Seems like a no-brainer. JMHO.

It's only food. Do what you want.
VE3ESN
Explorer
Jun 07, 2016
Wilber1 said "Tempest in a teapot. Declare what you have and if the agriculture guys don't like some of what you have, so be it."

How is this a "tempest in a teapot"? Why should we "donate" our food and have to wait in Homeland Security? Better to cross with no food, and replenish later. Seems like a no-brainer. JMHO.

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Did you dump your refrigerator and pantry before crossing?

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