Crossing Canadian border

[travelplanner70]

I will be traveling from New York State to Toronto airport, and I wondered about what food I can safely transport across the border. For example, can I bring butter, packaged (factory-sealed) cooked bacon, sealed unopened bags such as pretzels and instant oatmeal, or home-made brownies? Would I need to say that I have these items in the car if I know these items are allowed? Thanks for your help in sorting out what I can take...I do not want to be delayed at the border for fear of missing my flight.

 

[BM243923]

deleted

 

[BingoBangoBongo]

This would seem to indicate otherwise:

Bringing food into Canada for personal use - Canadian Food Inspection Agency

If you bring food into Canada for personal use, whether as a traveller or via online shopping, be aware of the import requirements that apply.

inspection.canada.ca

 

[jabberwocky]

You are not allowed to bring any meat, dairy, plants or fruit products across the border into Canada. Same rules applies to Canadians entry into the U.S.A.

Nope. Completely wrong.

There are restrictions on some meat products, but bacon should be fine if clearly labeled and commercially packaged. Dairy is allowed but there are quantity limits. I’ve brought plants and fruit into Canada.

 

[geist1223]

We have traveled to Canada 3 times since the Border opened and at least once a year for about 10 years before that. We have never had a problem taking packaged foods, fruits, dairy products, and vegetables into Canada. We always declare what we have. Totally different story coming back into USA.

 

[dioxide45]

Just be sure to declare everything. When they ask if you have meat, say yes. You may be searched, but better to declare than to pay a big fine. Watch some of the Border Security: Canada's Front Line videos on YouTube.

 

[T-Dot-Traveller]

In Nov. 2022 you could not bring Turkeys into Canada due to avian influenza outbreaks on USA farms.

 

[sue1947]

In Nov. 2022 you could not bring Turkeys into Canada due to avian influenza outbreaks on USA farms.

This. What is allowed or not varies over time based on events. Remember the mad cow disease scare? They weren't allowing any meat in any form across the border, with the US side more stringent. Once they had that figured out, the restrictions were relaxed. Fruit is a big one depending on location and season. An area with a lot of orchards is going to be extra protective. I know somebody who bought a box of peaches in the US Okanogon (WA) and had it confiscated going into the Canadian Okanagon in BC. Check the website at the time and location of travel.

 

[mcsteve]

Make sure it all sealed in the original packaging. That saves a lot of hassles. Home made products in baggies will just get taken and thrown away. Declare it all and chances are they will just pass you through. I would check the link provided by @BingoBangoBongo above for fruit as that is the one that changes most often. Again, original sealed packages is you best bet.

 

[Patri]

Make the brownies in Canada!

 

[moonstone]

I will be traveling from New York State to Toronto airport, and I wondered about what food I can safely transport across the border. For example, can I bring butter, packaged (factory-sealed) cooked bacon, sealed unopened bags such as pretzels and instant oatmeal, or home-made brownies? Would I need to say that I have these items in the car if I know these items are allowed? Thanks for your help in sorting out what I can take...I do not want to be delayed at the border for fear of missing my flight.

As linked above, it is best to check the official Canadian requirements right before your trip. Banned products can change overnight. I have taken bacon and ham (& Kielbasa, salami...) across as recently as last November with no problems but things can change. They (both sides) are most worried about raw meat & eggs & fresh fruit/vegies that can carry disease. I also take butter back & forth in our cooler (to timeshares) or in the fridge of our camper with no problems. Home baking, any cereals and any type of snack foods (sealed or not) are allowed.

It is always best to tell the border guard exactly what food you have (as I always do) and let them decide. I have taken fresh tomatoes sliced in sandwiches across even though they arent supposed to go. We were told years ago by a border official that any fresh fruit or vegetable that can be grown in the other country is probably not allowed. So Canadians can bring Oranges up from Florida because they don't grow in Canada. We can not take apples across to the US because they do grow there. If the vegetables are frozen it is generally not a problem, but I still declare them.


~Diane