Crossing the border to Canada

I have never had Canada ask about the food other than fresh fruits.

I have had the Americans check for the food on the way back and imply they would confiscate it.

I buy in America and return with it.

Told the guys at Portal once, that I had one apple left and had not ate it yet today and some packaged chicken meat. But if they needed some lunch meat, I guess I could stop and get more.

They did not like the comment, but they implied confiscating.

 

Don't quote me on this, but I think the only foodstuffs that may present a problem would be fresh foods, such as meat, fruits, veggies. I never was asked by either side about that. Now, I was asked about tobacco and alcohol. Ofcourse I never had alcohol in the tractor, but tobacco I did. I never tried to pull one over on them, I'd tell them what I had, and that it was for my own use. Ca. customs only once in a while would ask that, and when asked, it was always after I was asked how long would I be in Ca. That could vary one to two days, to possibly more, it depended on if I really knew or not. Not saying that works in all cases, but it did mine.
Likely by at least acting like you've got your act together, have the paperwork straight, and be a little respectful with no attitude, you won't be hassled by any more than a minimal delay, or a cursory inspection.
Even on the rare occasion my paperwork was screwed up, by the broker no less, the worse thing was go to secondary, and straighten it out.
I just can't understand some of the things I hear/read. How come after doing crossborder for 2 years straight, and then intermittently, did none of these things ever happen to me?
Not saying it doesn't happen, but what transpired to warrant it on either side of the border?

 

Hey Roadie, looks like we were posting at the same time!!

 

It is a MUCH bigger issue when crossing the border into the U.S. vs. into Canada. Having said that, any questions or concerns regarding this when crossing into Canada tend to vary greatly depending on the region where you are crossing. As an example; I was crossing weekly hauling produce from the western U.S. and even though my load was destined for Alberta, I could only rarely cross back into Canada via BC (even if just a couple of hours from Alberta), nevermind what items for personal consumption I might have (I expect apples, peaches, cherries, etc. would be strictly verboten when crossing into BC). I don't recall ever getting asked about any food items when crossing into Alberta.

My advice is to call the CBSA office where you intend to cross (link to all offices: http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/contact/listing/indexpages/index-e.html) and ask them what their requirements are. Even then, don't be terribly surprised if you get a slightly different answer at the border... they all do that.

As far as southbound into the U.S., they used to allow items like meat and fruit of U.S. origin if they were in the original unopened package and you had the receipt, but even that was stopped. I just made it a point to never have any perishables in the truck when southbound and then just stop at the first grocery store and stock up.

 

It really depends on what kind of day the border agent is having (or what kind of night they had ). I crossed at the same place almost every week for close to three years and I always did my paperwork exactly the same way. And I NEVER had a problem from my end of it. Then one night this one agent started crabbing about my paperwork. I just kept my mouth shut and let her yap. She let me through without me having to remind her that I had dealt with her personally probably no less than 100 times.

 

Ya have no argument there!!

Ya again. I guess it would depend on what state/province you were going in/out of, regarding the food.

 

really depends on where you cross--the busier ports are a little more laid back on that type of stuff---mind you that is going into us--going into can is ok--but i have had oranges bought in us--confiscated when going back into us at a tiny little port