Traveling to Canada; What are the Do's and Don'ts

[Greenthumb]

We will be traveling with our 5th wheel and our cat (he already has his rabies shot) to Canada and Alaska this summer.

Can anyone supply me with, or point me to, a website that can give me specific information on how much personal food I can bring into Canada such as meat, vegetables, and all the other items one would be carrying when you bring your "house" with you? It would be a shame if we brought our foodstuffs with us only to have them confiscated at the border.

Also, is there a time limit on how long we can stay in Canada? We plan to be in Canada for about 10 days enroute to Alaska and then up to a month on our way back to the lower 48.

Thanks for any help you can give us.

[Greenthumb]

We will be traveling with our 5th wheel and our cat (he already has his rabies shot) to Canada and Alaska this summer.

Can anyone supply me with, or point me to, a website that can give me specific information on how much personal food I can bring into Canada such as meat, vegetables, and all the other items one would be carrying when you bring your "house" with you? It would be a shame if we brought our foodstuffs with us only to have them confiscated at the border.

Also, is there a time limit on how long we can stay in Canada? We plan to be in Canada for about 10 days enroute to Alaska and then up to a month on our way back to the lower 48.

Thanks for any help you can give us.

[brad03ca]

Hello and Welcome to the Canada Region Forum Frank and Joann.
Here is a great link that you will find very Helpful and informative.HERE

There are no restrictions as to bringing food into Canada, and no one will rush you home..
If this site helps..Great..If not..let us know, and Do enjoy your trip through Canada.

Please remember...Its ILLEGAL to bring side arms into Canada.

[Little Kopit]

Brad, I really disagree with you, I have yet to find a commercial tourism site without big holes in their coverage.

IMO the best coverage for Canada is via provincial tourism websites. www.google.ca is where to go to do your searches. When you click on the circle for 'pages from Canada' you get answers faster. So, go to google.ca, click on that circle and use 'name of province' Thus, with 'Alberta tourism', you should get http://www.cd.gov.ab.ca/

For crossing the border nothing beats the government website of Canadian Border Services Agency. http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel/visitors-e.html To be sure you may find the logic of google faster than items in bureaucratic logic, but the facts are at the government website.

I strongly prefer to shop locally, unless I can take my garden produce with me. To me one learns lots from talking with people in stores. & nothing beats getting really fresh vegetables at the local market. Yes, I know, prices in Alaska are much higher, but what in the world do you gain by shopping at a superstore in the US., IMO, too many chemicals. I will grant you that finding local meat and being able to check out the growing standards is a challenge. I try. I also find I pick up on local cuisine, if I try out local restaurants.

Now, Mile Post, which comes out annually is the one source that many visitors agree is really essential for going to Alaska. I've seen debates and tips at the neighbors on where to buy that the most cheaply. For, one, amazon.com.

Now, to pets. What's happening worldwide health wise is always important to pets. Pet food can be confiscated at the border going either way. When avian flu was a world wide thing, the pet food question was asked more often. This year, pet food itself is a mega, mega story on this continent. You can bet your bottom dollar questions about pets will be asked much more often. Canadian regulations say that your pet must be in good health. Cover yourself by following my vets recommendation and getting a health certificate just before you go. & get your pet on a diet you can buy on either side of the border, including Alaska. If in doubt, sit on the phone waiting for your turn to get through to all the customs points.

There are many regulations, no site can ask about everything with everyone. They do it in rotation. Sometimes they do thorough search. If you are that one, accept it. They are professionals with a job to do. As some say, take off the sun glasses, turn off the engine. Comply with their requests.

& enjoy your trip.

[Groveite]

Greenthumb;

Being an inveterate border hopper (I used to commute thru Mi) the only prohibited items that I have come across are pool chemicals, firearms of course, and an odd rule that only allows one frozen turkey per person (go figure). Items that will be left in Canada (my neighbours are mostly US citizens that commute) are subject to duty/taxes but that would not likely affect a "tourist". There are strictly enforced limitations on alcohol & tobacco and the DutyFre shop will tell you accurately...I believe it is approx 1 litre alcohol (or a case of 24 beers) per adult duty/tax free with the option to pay duty on larger amounts however the duty is designed to discourage importation of liquor and thus it is usually cheaper to purchase large quantities of liquor on this side of the border but be prepared for "sticker shock" I know that before the wedding we are hosting this summer we will slip over and get 5 cases of beer each (the max) and after paying duties it will work out to about a $70 savings.
The rabies papeer for any pets is a must! We were seldom forced to show it but were asked almost daily. Some of the customs agents (both countries) had dog biscuits that were appreciated by our pet!
LK has an excellent point about local shopping. You can miss out on a lot of great experiences by avoiding local items....I would never carry onions to Walla Walla eg and fresh fruit in the Okanagan and Niagara and Annapolis Valley are hard to beat as well as S Ont corn etc....
I hope you enjoy your trip and any info or suggestions that you need...well this is one of the best resources going for North America travelling in general and camping in particular.
Don't be shy about asking!
Ian

[Doggievet]

Be sure to take your cat's rabies vaccination certificate. You most likely will be asked to show that entering Canada and on your return to the U.S.

Re food: I've found that I can buy the best and freshest fruits and vegetables in the summer in Canada. B.C. is noted for its great fruit. The meat, especially beef, also is great so don't load up your freezer with meat from the states.
Get yourself one of the little machines that vacuum-packs meat or veggies. It is small enough to fit in the RV and it saves much space in your freezer when meat is packaged this way. Meat keeps better too.
Have a great trip.

Annie K and Sparky the long-haired chihuahua
03 Journey DL36LD
04 Saturn L300
Brake Buddy and Blue Ox

[Greenthumb]

Thank you all who have posted information on this subject. My apologies for not answering earlier. We have been on the road and have had limited access to the internet.