Canada trip

[dtzackus]

Hi, we are leaving shortly to go to Niagara Falls, Canada side. We got our passport ID cards already. I called Canada's border patrol and was informed that we have to declare all meats. All meats must be in a commerical wrap container, no pre-made foods, and no fruits or veggies.

This is horrible for us since we typically pre made all of our foods for ease of use while camping. We typically buy meats from a mom and dad butcher shop who put our meats in a bag and then wrap it in a white piece of paper. And we are big fruit and veggie eaters, so that is tough...

Ugh..... Am I correct?

[dtzackus]

Well, just came back. The Canada side was a lot nicer and a lot more organized (traffic wise). The USA side was ok, but the traffic pattern was horrible, and add a 30ft camper behind you...ugh. I was just ask about if I bought anything at the Duty Free place, firewood and firearms. Go figure. I have a 4 page document of all of my food. O well, better safe than sorry....

[hone_eagle]

bsinmich wrote:
The thing that is funny to me is how many cars come to Michigan from Ontario to do their shopping because it is so much less expensive here in Mich. We have never been asked how much we have in the ref. in either direction. We usually have very little when going to Ontario because we are going to eat with relatives most of the time we are there.

true-I have friends that do all their grocery shopping stateside .

[atreis]

JackD wrote:

what do you answer to this question: ''Anything to declare??''

Tell them what you've bought (including food, if you have) while in the other country. (e.g. "We bought some t-shirts, gifts for family, and groceries.") Typically, they will then ask if the total value exceeds a certain amount - the amount at which you'll have to pay import duties. In my experience, that's the true nature of this question - trying to find out if you need to pay import duties.

If they ask "What groceries?" then tell them, but I've not had that happen. Sometimes (much more often) they will ask if you have certain specific items, such as a specific type of fruit.

Always answer questions asked honestly, but don't answer questions that haven't been asked.

[JackD]

If they don't ask, don't tell.

what do you answer to this question: ''Anything to declare??''

[Tripalot]

We cross the border frequently from Ontario into N.Y. or Michigan. I take a fridge full of food both directions without problems. Just obey the restrictions. Never are we asked about food coming back into Ontario - usually alcohol and tobacco are the main concerns.

[bsinmich]

The thing that is funny to me is how many cars come to Michigan from Ontario to do their shopping because it is so much less expensive here in Mich. We have never been asked how much we have in the ref. in either direction. We usually have very little when going to Ontario because we are going to eat with relatives most of the time we are there.

[dcason]

We entered Canada through Calaise/St Stephen. The agents looked really bored. They asked us about weapons and borded our motorhome.
Shuffled around and didn't bother us about the salad veggies in refrigerator or anything in freezer or nuts in the cupboard.

If they don't ask, don't tell. It was way easier than we thought it would be and we were the only ones there...no line or anything. This was May 21st.
Donna

[AKsilvereagle]

As noted from other posts, do check on the regulations and requirements of permitted and prohibited foods in order to give you the heads up, but do also keep in mind two scenarios that could encounter as well :

-Current regulations and requirements could be subject to change at any given day

-Any type of food thats listed as a permitted item could possibly change at the discretion of the customs officer if they feel any doubt or suspicion of the food from it's origin (unlikely event however it has happened on more than one occasion for the traveler)


The best advice on bringing food items upon crossing the USA-CANADA Border :

-Declare ALL food items only when asked while staying within the current limits allowed for certain permitted foods, as the worst case scenario will not hit someone's wallet and cost the traveler $0.00 along with confiscation of any determined prohibited items.

-Undeclared food could (or undeclared prohibited food will) lead to confiscation anyway, in addition to costing the traveler an amount up to :

$800.00 fine in Canada

$300.00 fine in United States

$220.00 fine in Australia (without going to court or contesting the offense) as this fine would be much greater in the thousand of dollars if found guilty in a court of law, Australia has such strict rules upon importing a variety of foods within their country

I believe I seen practically every episode of Border Security shows posted on YouTube of these three countries as it gives the viewer a great idea on how each customs agency works upon entering their respected country, as it mindboggles me on why many people still insist by not declaring any food or concealing food upon entering these three countries while subject to fines, as just a simple declaration of possessing any sort of food will cost the traveller nothing while the declared food will either be confiscated or permitted to keep.

I generally practice the no possession of any produce, meat, and dairy products upon crossing borders as I will stock up on these products after entering Canada or returning to the United States as I will always declare even the permitted foods I have in possession whenever asked (I for one like to get cleared by customs the least amount of time possible without giving them anymore additional excuses to delay the border crossing process upon their discretion), as you never know if one day they might all of a sudden classify that can of soup or that chocolate bar or that bag of chips as a prohibited item as no food of anykind is subject to a fine by simply declaring it when asked.

[cacherjoe]

It's the same for us Canadians going the other way. We cannot bring Florida Oranges with is when we go to the US. Seems strange, but it's a way to protect the ecology of the country. Little odd I believe between Canada and the US, but the rules are there for a reason. I would typically do some shopping on the first stop after crossing the border.

[atreis]

We've never been asked about meat or dog food at the border. It could happen, and we could lose whatever we have, but it's not terribly likely.

Answer all questions asked honestly and completely, but only those questions asked.

[kodiakcanuck]

obgraham wrote:
I've never been asked about food going into Canada. Just alcohol and weapons.
Take what you want. Tell them what you have at the border entry, but only if they ask. Be prepared to give it up if they demand it. In that case, stop at the next Safeway and restock.

Repeat the procedure returning to the US, but they WILL ask about food there.

Annoying as this stuff can be, it's not that big a deal!

Agree with this advise, and yes it's pretty much the same requirements into the USA.

Only once of the 15 - 20 times I crossed into the US with the trailer was I asked if I had fresh meat or veggies. And never was I asked what food I had when I returned to Canada...

Just bring it with you and take the chance, just don't lie if they do ask.

[obgraham]

I've never been asked about food going into Canada. Just alcohol and weapons.
Take what you want. Tell them what you have at the border entry, but only if they ask. Be prepared to give it up if they demand it. In that case, stop at the next Safeway and restock.

Repeat the procedure returning to the US, but they WILL ask about food there.

Annoying as this stuff can be, it's not that big a deal!

[docj]

dtzackus wrote:
no fruits or veggies.

If you read the Canadian document referenced above, you will discover that you are permitted up to:

15 packages or less up to 250 kilograms of fresh fruits and vegetables per person (excluding potatoes)

British Columbia has restrictions on "stone fruits" and potatoes, but everything else should be fine

We're headed to Canada in a couple of weeks and my wife has begun buying sealed packages of meats and chicken that we can freeze without repackaging so proof of origin will be a non-issue.

[owenssailor]

Canadians travelling to the US face similar restrictions regarding what food may cross the border. For sure NO citrus fruit at all.

Friends tried crossing to the US with prepackaged homemade frozen meals. That food ended up in the garbage before crossing.