Taking goods and groceries into Canada

I feel that a lot of the questions being asked at the border are not for the answers themselves, but to gauge the reaction of being asked something you dont know!
As for the food, we often cross border shop and apart from Dairy & Booze, prices are comparable, especially considering the current exchange rate.
Who would ever stock up in Dawson? That would be like stocking up in Barrow!

Waiting to Dawson is asking for problems.
We stop across the border at the first Walmart Superstore, get groceries and Canadian Cash back.

Soren..I am one that frequently recomemends people consider crossing with an empty fridge. Still do. Reason beng..many people that ask, are afraid of getting the 'snake eyes' by the agent. You don't have to sweat it, if you don't have anything in back. And, really? if you waited till Dawson to re-stock...well, no I don't figure you did. I also think most others understand that not buying at a local mall or big box store is a bad move. Or that waiting till you are way north to buy is a smart thing to do.

And yep..you are right...don't be carrying the pets rabies certs. You just do that. But...don't be the one crying if you get turned back if, when asked, you don't have them. In fact, I hope I am watching Border Security when it happens. Man...that'd be so cool. I really like the gun finds, too. You just cannot fix dumb, can you.

Lots of question don't get asked, but when they do, a person had better have the right answer. And hey...if a pesron just figures that they are above all of that...then carry on. Sooner of later...


Gary Haupt

PackerBacker wrote:
Really surprised an agent would ask for a plate number, typically if the cameras are unable to pick up the plate number (common with rv's), the normal protocol is to ask to see the vehicle registration.

Crossed at Sweetgrass, and Top of the World. in the last two weeks. Both times I was asked for my plate number and state. I have an obviously fake "RV AK" Alaskan plate on the front, and they often confirm that it's not the actual plate, then ask if I know my plate number. Never been asked to hand over a state registration. All recent Crossings took less than 90 seconds, with no interest in anything but weapons, liquor, purchases made, or large amounts of cash.

In my post that you deleted previously, I was skeptical of the "Advice" to avoid buying groceries until you get across a border. I would love to hear from somebody who decided this is a good idea, and heads from the Interior to Dawson City with an empty fridge. When you get past the agent who couldn't care if you have a Wooly Mammoth steak in your fridge, and then find out that you spent $200 in Dawson, and didn't manage to fill a 6 Cu. Ft fridge, don't forget to post again. I'm sure the $4 green pepper, and $18/lb deli meat will be unforgettable.

On the topic of over reactions, there are occasionally posters here with grave warnings about crossing without health certificates for dogs. I never have had them, or been asked. I carry current rabies certs. but haven't had a request to hand one over in a while.Lately, the whole interview takes place with at least one of my dogs standing on the dash, and watching the whole event, hoping that the guy at the drive up window has biscuits.

We just came back into Canada this past Saturday and the border agent asked me for my plate numbers. When we went into the States I was asked the same question about my 5er's plate, which I don't know off by heart. I had to produce the registration.

I had them ask that when I crossed into Canada from Montana - I just told them I was a little dyslexic (I'm not) and can't remember numbers (I can't) and they were fine. I've only had those plates for 8 years so I should remember them but I can't for the life of me.

This was at Sweetgrass and I was in a car, not an RV, plates readily visible. Maybe it's an attempt to see if the vehicle is stolen.

cmarkj wrote:
Just crossed into Canada at Port Huron/Sarnia last week and back into the states at Cornwall/Messina 2 days later. Going into Canada, we were asked about liquor, fire arms and if I knew what my plate numbers were. Never asked about any kind of food. Getting back into the states, only wanted to know if there were any people or animals in the TT. The fact that I don't know my plate numbers seemed to tick off the Canadian border guard a bit, but hey, I need to remember a SS number, phone number, address and other more important stuff.....I don't have room for plate numbers. Other than that, both crossings were short and sweet. Hopefully, next week will go the same way.

Really surprised an agent would ask for a plate number, typically if the cameras are unable to pick up the plate number (common with rv's), the normal protocol is to ask to see the vehicle registration.

Just crossed into Canada at Port Huron/Sarnia last week and back into the states at Cornwall/Messina 2 days later. Going into Canada, we were asked about liquor, fire arms and if I knew what my plate numbers were. Never asked about any kind of food. Getting back into the states, only wanted to know if there were any people or animals in the TT. The fact that I don't know my plate numbers seemed to tick off the Canadian border guard a bit, but hey, I need to remember a SS number, phone number, address and other more important stuff.....I don't have room for plate numbers. Other than that, both crossings were short and sweet. Hopefully, next week will go the same way.

We are traveling in a truck camper and have crossed back and forth a couple of times over the last few weeks. We've have consistently been asked about alcohol, tobacco, firearms/weapons and raw chicken and eggs by both US and Canadian agents. Some have asked about fruits and veggies (US Customs confiscated a lemon), but not all. Given that, we try to limit the contents of the refrigerator when crossing. We don't volunteer information, but provide full disclosure if asked about something. The process has always been professional, cordial and relatively quick.

A few years ago when entering the US at Sweetgrass, Montana, we had to surrender a 5 lb roast of beef. I asked if I could give it to someone entering Canada and they said sure. The agent even took me to the window on the opposite side of the building. We waited...and waited...and waited and finally I said here take it. I did ask what they did with it and was told that they sterilize it and then destroy it. Later on as we were heading back east on #2 Hwy, I turned the radio on and was listening to an AM radio station(yes there are AM radio stations) out of Saskatchewan and they were giving a big pat on the back to a US customs officer who was giving all the beef they had confiscated to a homeless charity in Saskatchewan. Too bad it wasn`t done at all the border crossings back then because it was a great idea. This thread has sure taken a few different tacks.