What food you bring/not bring into Canada

[BGMAC]

We’re planning our trip from Tn to Alaska for next year. Looking through threads I have not seen what you can or cannot bring food wise in your rv.

Looking on line my initial findings is there’s quite a few things you can’t bring.
I’m looking for on hand experiences.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[Rich W.]

Last time I went, a few years ago, you couldn't bring chicken or eggs from the US. This was because of a bird virus found in Canadian ducks.

 

[Rollin Ollen]

We’re planning our trip from Tn to Alaska for next year. Looking through threads I have not seen what you can or cannot bring food wise in your rv.

Looking on line my initial findings is there’s quite a few things you can’t bring.
I’m looking for on hand experiences.

Thanks,
Mike

When we cross the border BACK INTO Canada we only have to declare goods over a certain dollar value except booze and cigarettes. I'm not sure what you can't bring (other than fire arms) but I can recommend what TO BRING. Any alcohol you might use while in Canada. We Canadians have an affinity for sin taxes. Alcohol, tobacco, drugs, candies, soft drinks, fast foods, coffee, sugar, gambling, and pornography are all heavily taxed. My second recommendation is Dairy Products. In Canada Dairy products are controlled by government a marketing boards. Quality is not a consideration only quantity matters to them Our stuff sucks!! You will find our butter doesn't easily melt, our Sour Cream is watery. Fuel up with as much as you can 'cause our Feds have implemented an Environmental Carbon Tax. depending where you are in the country you can expect to pay up to $8.00 / gallon. Groceries in General are more costly. Some of our scenery is spectacular though.

Safe travels

Darrell

 

[J&JD]

We’re planning our trip from Tn to Alaska for next year. Looking through threads I have not seen what you can or cannot bring food wise in your rv.

Looking on line my initial findings is there’s quite a few things you can’t bring.
I’m looking for on hand experiences.

Thanks,
M

We’re planning our trip from Tn to Alaska for next year. Looking through threads I have not seen what you can or cannot bring food wise in your rv.

Looking on line my initial findings is there’s quite a few things you can’t bring.
I’m looking for on hand experiences.

Thanks,
Mike

This is a bit tricky. Of course, research Canada’s requirements online. You will find them very restrictive. I actually called the main office a few years ago due to meat regulations. I like to make part of our meals ahead, and there is no logical reason that soups, stews that have been cooked could pose a threat. The very nice gent I talked to agreed, but it all depends on who you get at the border. We have since carried these items, and have not been searched. Alcohol is another issue, and they can take it. When asked, we say we have wine for our personal use. So far, so good, but hate crossing the border. We have also viewed an unlucky motorhome being thoroughly searched. Judy D

 

[Neal]

When I went in, I feared the same questions, what to bring, purge this and that, etc. I did not get inspected or even questioned.

 

[Rosy]

When we cross the border BACK INTO Canada we only have to declare goods over a certain dollar value except booze and cigarettes. I'm not sure what you can't bring (other than fire arms) but I can recommend what TO BRING. Any alcohol you might use while in Canada. We Canadians have an affinity for sin taxes. Alcohol, tobacco, drugs, candies, soft drinks, fast foods, coffee, sugar, gambling, and pornography are all heavily taxed. My second recommendation is Dairy Products. In Canada Dairy products are controlled by government a marketing boards. Quality is not a consideration only quantity matters to them Our stuff sucks!! You will find our butter doesn't easily melt, our Sour Cream is watery. Fuel up with as much as you can 'cause our Feds have implemented an Environmental Carbon Tax. depending where you are in the country you can expect to pay up to $8.00 / gallon. Groceries in General are more costly. Some of our scenery is spectacular though.

Safe travels

Darrell

At least our milk doesn't have sugar added to it...

 

[fluffywhitedogs]

At least our milk doesn't have sugar added to it...

And all the antibiotics and growth hormones!

 

[Rollin Ollen]

At least our milk doesn't have sugar added to it...

See my reply to fluffywhitedogs

Darrell

 

[Rollin Ollen]

And all the antibiotics and growth hormones!

Also includes reply to Rosy.

Please be advised, I am not going to continue with any further discussion regarding this matter. You are entitled to your opinions but I suggest you keep an open mind and perhaps do some research. Your opinions may change. See images of milk just purchased today. Even in Canada we check the packaging for ingredients. Further, the growth hormones are not inclusively used by all American Dairy Farmers and even Canada has considered them safe for human consumption. And now I will add. I have a relative that is a dairy farmer in Alberta. They are requested to "self test" their milk shipments. They have not seen an inspector in years. You are both aware that excess product is dumped in field the same with eggs etc. The farmer is NOT allowed to sell the excess or even give it away. I just did a very quick Google to see if I could ascertain the quality differences. One link is as fallows. I'm not going to look for more. What is the difference between Canadian and American milk? - Alberta Milk

Keep smiling. Life is too short to hold a grudge. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Everyone's opinion counts.

Darrell

 

[BGMAC]

Thanks for everyone’s input! It is well appreciated.
My wife Twila loves to cook and can food, thus the reason for the question. We like bringing a lot of pre cooked, vacuum sealed food along with our canned stuff. We have chickens too, so we have a lot of eggs. We have gotten to the point we rarely go out to eat so we bring a lot.

I’m beginning to think we bring what we bring. If they confiscate it will just give the pre printed sheets on how to cook the food so they can have a good meal. .

We fully expect prices will be higher in Canada and Alaska and planned for it. I was more interested in going through customs with food. Going online is one thing, but personal experiences help a great deal and I thank you.

 

[purring along]

We just returned from Alaska/Canada in August after three months. The only border crossing that gave us a problem, or even asked us about food was Skagway Alaska. They entered our coach as with others in our group, and took eggs, fruit, chicken and vegetables. We crossed many borders on our trip, and were told by the agent's, they don't check for food. Guns and firewood were more of a priority.

 

[BGMAC]

Bringing this back up. Is there a declaration form when crossing the border? I googled but could not find a form. I see there is a card, but it can’t be downloaded due to watermarking.

 

[NWIP]

I never had any problem with food but did leave most of the meats original packaging.

 

[Rollin Ollen]

Bringing this back up. Is there a declaration form when crossing the border? I googled but could not find a form. I see there is a card, but it can’t be downloaded due to watermarking.

I had no problems printing this item. I hope it helps.

Bringing food into Canada for personal use - inspection.canada.ca

inspection.canada.ca

Darrell

 

[BGMAC]

I had no problems printing this item. I hope it helps.

Bringing food into Canada for personal use - inspection.canada.ca

inspection.canada.ca

Darrell

Thank you for the link. It is very informative on what you can and cannot bring. I did find this page earlier, but I could not find a form to fill out to declare items you are bringing across the boarder.

 

[Rollin Ollen]

Thank you for the link. It is very informative on what you can and cannot bring. I did find this page earlier, but I could not find a form to fill out to declare items you are bringing across the boarder.

The only time I have ever used a "form" arriving back into Canada was by arriving in an airplane. By ground, I have only made my declaration verbally and I have crossed back into Canada a lot. The same when crossing into the US. My declaration has always been verbally.

I'm including a link to the air travel form but I seriously don't think you will need it when making a land entry. A verbal declaration should by good enough.

E311 - Declaration Card

E311 - Declaration Card

www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca

Darrell

 

[BGMAC]

The only time I have ever used a "form" arriving back into Canada was by arriving in an airplane. By ground, I have only made my declaration verbally and I have crossed back into Canada a lot. The same when crossing into the US. My declaration has always been verbally.

I'm including a link to the air travel form but I seriously don't think you will need it when making a land entry. A verbal declaration should by good enough.

E311 - Declaration Card

E311 - Declaration Card

www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca

Darrell

Yes, saw that too. Good to know that you went through just verbally. I’ll just leave it at that and enjoy our trip. Thanks.