Headed to the Canada!

[deerslayer]

I know this topic has been beat to death, but I just want to have a little clarification. My wife and I are heading to Niagara Falls in the early hours of July 5th. It will just be her and I and our little Bichon, daughter is staying home due to new job. Passports are all ready and I am picking up a copy of the dogs records and a rabies certification today. Not too worried about the border crossing, however I have read conflicting reports on what we should do as far as bring food.
Do I need to document what food we are bringing with us? As in have a list wrote up so I can just hand it to the border crossing, or just make sure I have all food in original un opened packaging? Don't plan on bring many vegetables, maybe some potatoes, will prolly by a little local produce once there.

Other question, regarding alcohol,
I know we can bring across one case (24) of beer per person, or one bottle (750ml) of alcohol. I plan on having a case of beer for myself on ice as well as a case for my wife of her fancy summer shandy beer on ice for her, We will be staying for 7 days, I will most likely need more, how much is the tax to cross with an extra case of beer or a extra bottle or two of alcohol, like for example, rum? Any info you folks could give me would be greatly appretiated!

[deerslayer]

Thanks for everyone's advice, I appreciate it! We are going to be shopping for the trip this weekend, and as we load the fridge will just write down whats going in it. Might write down a few notes as to whats in the pantry too just in case, that way when asked as we cross the border I have a list to present or read from. Our passports and truck/trailer info is all in order, didn't get the dogs paperwork yet but its just a matter of stopping by the vet to get a fresh copy printed off. As far as the booze goes, we will have a one case a piece iced down in a cooler, will prolly throw an extra case in the camper for myself, will pay the duty if needed, if not, all is good. Will just stop and grab the wife a bottle of Malibu once we are there.
Thanks again

[Little_Kopit]

qtla9111 wrote:
Yep, we were in Canada for a month. We are returning again tomorrow for another three weeks. We decided to leave the rv in Ottawa with friends and fly to Nova Scotia. I know we will miss a lot in between but we will save a couple thousand miles and $1000 in fuel even after buying the air tickets.

We will cut way back on alcohol and eating out. As stated, food, liquor and fuel are very expensive especially when one is coming from Mexico.

It is a beautiful country and well worth the trip. We will be back in years to come but probably fly and stay.

Disagree big time. If you don't drive it, you don't see it. Cities may have strong similarities, but the countryside doesn't . & you gain tremendously, if you drive different types of roads. Learning to pick up local produce you pick up local culture, big time.

I've lived in sections of Quebec, Nova Scotia, PEI, Newfoundland and traveled much in New Brunswick. To fly is to omit, big time. There are sections of all of these provinces I'm itching to see also.

:C

[qtla9111]

Yep, we were in Canada for a month. We are returning again tomorrow for another three weeks. We decided to leave the rv in Ottawa with friends and fly to Nova Scotia. I know we will miss a lot in between but we will save a couple thousand miles and $1000 in fuel even after buying the air tickets.

We will cut way back on alcohol and eating out. As stated, food, liquor and fuel are very expensive especially when one is coming from Mexico.

It is a beautiful country and well worth the trip. We will be back in years to come but probably fly and stay.

[bradyk]

We do the across border thing all the time. Pretty simple if you remember a few things. The booze issue has been covered pretty well.
For dogs make sure the rabies shots are up to date and have the paperwork with you to show such if asked and there will be no issues. Dog food make sure they are original unopened packages and there will be no problem. If you use a special food bring enough to last or if a regular shelf brand you should be able to buy up here.
Leave fresh fruits out of your fridge. Not all but most are regulated and just buy them when you get there. Leave potatoes at home too as there are lots of regulations there and most likely will get confiscated.

[almcc]

After having crossed the borders a few times (both ways) we've come to the decision to run down our home refrigerator in advance of the trip, then we've taken what's left with us in the RV, if we lose it at the border then it's not a big thing as the rules seem to change frequently. We declare what we have and then have the banned stuff dumped. We have enough frozen food meals to keep us fed for a few days then we do a major shopping at our convenience.

Be prepared for a bit of "sticker shock" when buying food and booze (and for eating out)in Canada compared to the US!

[Wrong_Lane]

Welcome to Canada and enjoy your stay!

The limit per person for booze is 24 beer, OR 1.5 liters of wine OR 1.14 liters of sprits (rum, whiskey, etc).

Each person must be at least 19 years old to have the exemption. The exemption is available even if the person is not of legal age in the US (under 21), they just need to be legal age in Canada.

You are allowed to go over your personal limit provided you declare what you have and are prepared to pay the tax, only on the quantities you are over.

A rule of thumb for the charges is: $1.00 for each beer, 100% of the value of any wine (an extra $8.00 charge on a bottle you paid $8.00 for) and costs so high for sprits that it is not worth it. The charge on a 1.5 liter of rum for instance is around an extra $40.00.

The big disadvantage of bringing more than your exemption is that you will be required to pull over, bring receipts into the office and pay. At a busy crossing this could mean a delay of at least 20 to 30 minutes, additional scrutiny and more interaction with border security officers.

Just about any major brand of beer or sprits you like at home will be available in Ontario.

The area is known for it's vineyards and the wines made there are world class. One of the major tourist attractions to the area is the vineyard tours and wine tasting opportunities.

Safe Travels!

[Harvard]

To stop and pay duty on extra booze is going to be just as spendy as buying the booze in Canada, not to mention the extra hassle.

[deerslayer]

Canuckistani wrote:
What about paperwork for the dog?

Importing or Travelling with Domestic Dogs

Picking that up hopefully tonight

[Canuckistani]

What about paperwork for the dog?

Importing or Travelling with Domestic Dogs

[C-172-AV8R]

Have fun on your visit to Canada. Hope this link helps clarify things for you....Crossing the Border

[Little_Kopit]

Yep, part of travel is to try new things.

I make it a practice to dine out at least 1 day a week and switch doing so for supper and for lunch. I try to go where things local are the menu vs. going to chain sites.

Re. what you will be asked to throw out: yep, see stickies. But some principals: that which will keep or attract insects, ie. root vegetables, citrus fruit.

& yes roadside stands & or farmers' markets beat all chain groceries by the mile for freshness, taste and selection.

NO firewood for the same reason.

Pet food in original containers. & times may happen when you will not be allowed to bring that too. Best to have your pets on a brand you can buy in most stores. If need be, call stores in town where you will cross.

:C

[Beverley_Ken]

Welcome. Can't speak for the $ value of duty for extra beer or alcohol, if it is only one unit per person and your upfront declaring it, they may just let it through, as said before lots of different choices up here.
Fruits, veggies, meats, may be questioned or you could be asked to put them in the garbage. Sounds like you have a good plan and that will make the crossing much easier.
The Niagara River Parkway, very pretty, towards Niagara-On-The-Lake/Lake Ontario has lots of fruit and vegetable stands, excellent quality.

Have a great trip,
Beverley and Ken

[lakeside013104]

Deerslayer,

Do I need to document what food we are bringing with us?
Answer: No, not necessary. Be prepared to answer verbally, “What food stuff are you bringing with you?”

Don't plan on bring many vegetables, maybe some potatoes, will prolly by a little local produce once there.
Answer: Leave your potatoes at home and buy once you get into Canada. Lots of regulations on bringing U.S. potatoes into Canada and most likely would NOT be allowed to enter with taters.

Other question, regarding alcohol,
I will most likely need more, how much is the tax to cross with an extra case of beer or a extra bottle or two of alcohol, like for example, rum?
Answer: The Canadian fees on alcohol over your standard exemption would be more than what you originally paid for the alcohol. Best advice is to bring the amount that you are allowed and purchase any EXTRA that you might need in Canada.
Canada is a great place to RV. Enjoy your travels.
Lakeside

[Tothill]

We do have liquor stores in Canada. You may enjoy trying a local brew or two. Yes it will be more expensive, but part of travel is trying new things.

For your questions about duty on extra booze and which foods are allowed, check with the sites on the sticky at the top of the page.