Author Topic: Canada crossing any food restrictions? (Read 6950 times)

rvtrader · « **on:** August 07, 2015, 06:45:52 PM »

Okay we are going cross though Canada from MI over to Niagara Falls NY

Now my question is the food we have in our refrigerator / freezer

is there any restrictions on eggs,chicken,raw meat that is not allowed to in to Canada?

we are fulltimers so we do have a freezer full of those items.

Heading over later next week

Rene T · « **Reply #1 on:** August 07, 2015, 06:55:22 PM »

We just went over about 4 weeks ago. All they asked was if we had any handguns. Took about 2 minutes total to get through. I came back 2 weeks later, and they asked if we had any plants, guns, how much alcohol we had and that was about it. We stayed in line and 2 agents went into out truck camper. We could hear them opening cabinet doors etc.. It took about 5 minutes total. We crossed in Calais Me.

rvtrader · « **Reply #2 on:** August 07, 2015, 06:58:22 PM »

we are Just Crossing over not even spending a night.

docj · « **Reply #3 on:** August 07, 2015, 06:59:06 PM »

Since you've posted this question on multiple forums, I'll provide you the answer again for the benefit of others. Everything you need to know can be found here and was available with a single Google search: http://http://www.inspection.gc.ca/food/information-for-consumers/travellers/what-can-i-bring-into-canada-/eng/1389648337546/1389648516990

You will note that there are serious restrictions on the importation of any raw chicken products. Even though you may not be asked about this I suggest you be prepared; lying to a border agent is a serious offense.

docj · « **Reply #4 on:** August 07, 2015, 06:59:30 PM »

Quote from: rvtrader on August 07, 2015, 06:58:22 PM

we are Just Crossing over not even spending a night.

Whether or not you spend a night is totally irrelevant.

legrandnormand · « **Reply #5 on:** August 07, 2015, 10:01:09 PM »

By what is written in DOCJ's document... who carries 50 pounds of poultry or vegetables or whatever product...
Don't bother about it, just don't bring your military arsenal weapons ! In Canada guns are for sport hunting purposes only and not to defend ourselves !

Northern Rambler · « **Reply #6 on:** August 07, 2015, 10:33:29 PM »

As of three days ago when I returned to Canada you were not allowed any poultry products including eggs .

Bill

Punomatic · « **Reply #7 on:** August 07, 2015, 10:44:14 PM »

Years ago, I crossed into B.C. at Bamfield, on Vancouver Island. This was, of course, by boat. We stopped at the government dock and followed the signs to the Customs officer. We knocked on the door and were greeted by a young woman with two small children hanging onto her. I said, "I'm looking for the customs officer." She said she was the person I wanted. She invited us in and got out the necessary forms. She asked us about alcohol and firearms. Then she asked about various agricultural products. "Potatoes?" I replied, "Oh, yes. I forgot about potatoes. We have a ten pound bag." She said, "I would suggest you make a really big potato salad." I told her, "That is just exactly what I was planning." She handed us our papers and we were on our way.

RoyM · « **Reply #8 on:** August 08, 2015, 05:16:24 AM »

When we lived near Vancouver we periodically shopped for groceries in Bellingham. The only thing we were not allowed to bring back were poultry products due to an outbreak of avian flu. Also, you will pay dearly for liquor and tobacco over the limit. Crossing back into the U.S. is much more restrictive, no fresh fruit or vegetables allowed. Also no pet food containing lamb or goat.

That is what we were told at the border.

docj · « **Reply #9 on:** August 08, 2015, 07:39:27 AM »

Quote from: RoyM on August 08, 2015, 05:16:24 AM

Crossing back into the U.S. is much more restrictive, no fresh fruit or vegetables allowed.

With all due respect the actual rules aren't nearly that restrictive. You can read the official publication here: https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/1273/~/food--bring-personal-use-food-into-the-u.s.-from-canada

The issue is that you do have to declare all fresh fruits and vegetables and they have to be labeled as to country of origin (those little stickers on the fruit). Most ICE personnel probably don't want to spend time going through your refrigerator so they just make the blanket statement that you can't bring any of it across.

We usually reduce the quantity of what we have but we've never gotten to zero. Most of the time we don't even get asked. Almost all the rules have caveats that small quantities for personal use are exempt, anyway, so for the most part it's not worth them making an issue of it.

Rene T · « **Reply #10 on:** August 08, 2015, 07:53:38 AM »

Quote from: Northern Rambler on August 07, 2015, 10:33:29 PM

As of three days ago when I returned to Canada you were not allowed any poultry products including eggs .

Bill

We had eggs and frozen chicken in the fridge and they never said anything. They did go inside the truck camper and inspected. It may depend in which part of the country you're attempting to cross over. Seem so I read that the avian flu was only found in certain states and not the entire country. We did keep all the information on the frozen packages just so they can see where it came from.

John From Detroit · « **Reply #11 on:** August 08, 2015, 07:58:31 AM »

I know when you return to the US there is a restriction on how much booze you can bring back

For most foods.. If you only bring food for "Personal consumption" (You and your companioons and guests will prepare and eat) you should have no problem You bring like 200 pounds of Bananas.. You may have a problem.

Some foods may be subject to inspeciton same as state to state transfer can get you inspected here in the US on occasion.. Likewise do not tranport firewood.

Hfx_Cdn · « **Reply #12 on:** August 08, 2015, 08:07:40 AM »

Crossing the border is always subject to current circumstances. So, since there was an outbreak of bird flu in the US, you can expect border guards to be more vigilant and restrictive to poultry entrance, particularly if you are crossing near or have travelled through where an outbreak has occurred.
We have over the years been questioned about potatoes, onions, beef, or citrus when entering the US. Similarly, eggs, poutry, potatoes (blight) when coming to Canada. Unless you call the border crossing to get current restrictions, you will never know if there is a problem.
All that to say, we have never had difficulty or lost food going either way in all the years that we have crossed, but we also kept current about any disease outbreaks, so didn't bring those items with us. It is no different from the agriculteral inspection stations that you must go through when entering some states, ie California.

Ed

docj · « **Reply #13 on:** August 08, 2015, 11:13:49 AM »

Quote from: Rene T on August 08, 2015, 07:53:38 AM

We had eggs and frozen chicken in the fridge and they never said anything. They did go inside the truck camper and inspected. It may depend in which part of the country you're attempting to cross over. Seem so I read that the avian flu was only found in certain states and not the entire country.

Technically, only some states are subject to the ban, but unless you can show where your chicken or eggs came from, you're subject to having them confiscated if you are asked. Attached is a list of the states from which poultry products are banned.

Jeff · « **Reply #14 on:** August 08, 2015, 02:39:12 PM »

Eggs, citrus, apples, and chicken products seemed to be the issues this summer out west.

grassy · « **Reply #15 on:** August 08, 2015, 04:30:47 PM »

The last time we entered the states, we had to toss our fresh fruit. I am told the US won't let in dig food either...

Rene T · « **Reply #16 on:** August 08, 2015, 04:50:35 PM »

Quote from: grassy on August 08, 2015, 04:30:47 PM

The last time we entered the states, we had to toss our fresh fruit. I am told the US won't let in dig food either...

I assume you meant to say DOG food. We just crossed and had allot of dog food and never had any issues.

grassy · « **Reply #17 on:** August 08, 2015, 04:59:31 PM »

Yes...

I suspect each American officer has there only pet watch lists... pardon the pun

I was talking to an American class A owner that had a large amount of booze in his class a,,,,was told it was "too much" by the Cdn side..and have a nice trip, you are fee to go...

RoyM · « **Reply #18 on:** August 08, 2015, 06:21:24 PM »

We had one tomato confiscated going south at Oroville. That seems a little overzealous but it appears to be at the discretion of the customs officer.

rvtrader · « **Reply #19 on:** August 09, 2015, 12:58:55 PM »

I want to thanks everyone for there input.

we are going to drive the extra 150 miles instead of dealing with the border.

YellowSubmarine · « **Reply #20 on:** October 23, 2015, 06:45:04 AM »

We just crossed into Canada/USA 4 times in the past 2 weeks and had no problems. They were concerned with tomatoes, green peppers and citrus fruits. We had a gallon of milk, blueberries, peaches, yogurt and cheeses purchased from Canada. They looked through our RV when crossing into USA, looked in our fridge, didn't go through the cabinets, but had no issues with our supplies. We also had 4 bottles of wine and two of them were opened. Nothing happened.

It was easy to cross into Canada. It was easy crossing into the US too, but they just wanted to walk through our RV and check.. I don't know what they were checking for but oh well! All good! They honestly seemd to get distracted by our baby girl. They spent more time talking to her then actually looking through our stuff-lol.

we had a freezer full of frozen foods and a fridge and cabinet full of foods. We were on a 3 week trip! We crossed at Michigan, Niagara Falls and Saint Andrews twice.

Advice:: Watch the signs of where RV's need to go coming into US. I felt they inform you at the LAST second. It's the far right lanes. It was a disaster for us. I had to backup and block multiple lanes. Long story short, just go far right... trust me! I did get yelled at.. lol

Frank Hurst · « **Reply #21 on:** October 23, 2015, 11:31:41 AM »

rvtrader, I think that you are over reacting. Cross the boarder and enjoy yourselves. I have crossed the boarder several times and have had agents enter my MH only once. They were on the MH about 15 minutes while we waited inside their office and then we got a "Have a good trip" and off we went. They always ask about guns, was ask about apples going into Canada from Washington state and had two steaks taken when entering the US after an outbreak of "mad cow disease". Most agents are just doing their job and are very friendly.

BinaryBob · « **Reply #22 on:** October 23, 2015, 01:41:56 PM »

Quote from: docj on August 08, 2015, 11:13:49 AM

Technically, only some states are subject to the ban, but unless you can show where your chicken or eggs came from, you're subject to having them confiscated if you are asked. Attached is a list of the states from which poultry products are banned.

Good link docj.
We were on motorcycles in Glacier NP in July. Took a day trip to the Canada side. While waiting at the border patrol, we saw a steady procession of RV drivers required to haul their eggs and poultry to the stateside garbage bins.

docj · « **Reply #23 on:** October 23, 2015, 06:19:58 PM »

Quote from: BinaryBob on October 23, 2015, 01:41:56 PM

Good link docj.
We were on motorcycles in Glacier NP in July. Took a day trip to the Canada side. While waiting at the border patrol, we saw a steady procession of RV drivers required to haul their eggs and poultry to the stateside garbage bins.

Coming back into the US last month, I did, inadvertently, find a way of avoiding all questions about what we had onboard. I was going through an exceptionally narrow lane getting up to the US border agent when I managed to scrape my right mirror on the concrete wall of the adjacent booth. Fortunately, there was no significant damage to the mirror but the ICE agents were so concerned about whether or not I had damaged their wall that they "forgot" to ask me about what I was carrying with respect to foodstuff or alcohol! What a waste; we were 100% compliant and no one even asked!

YellowSubmarine · « **Reply #24 on:** October 24, 2015, 03:06:28 PM »

Quote from: docj on October 23, 2015, 06:19:58 PM

Coming back into the US last month, I did, inadvertently, find a way of avoiding all questions about what we had onboard. I was going through an exceptionally narrow lane getting up to the US border agent when I managed to scrape my right mirror on the concrete wall of the adjacent booth. Fortunately, there was no significant damage to the mirror but the ICE agents were so concerned about whether or not I had damaged their wall that they "forgot" to ask me about what I was carrying with respect to foodstuff or alcohol! What a waste; we were 100% compliant and no one even asked!

LOL.. Yes do this so you can carry your tomatoes, citrus fruits and eggs through the border==lol. That was funny

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Author Topic: Canada crossing any food restrictions? (Read 6950 times)