Community Forums

Tom-NC · 03-17-2010, 03:27 PM

We are planning to go from the States into Canada this Summer and was wondering if the Canadian Border guards check refrigerators to see what food you are bringing in? What cold foods are allowed? What liquids are allowed?

Can most frozen foods and fresh foods be brought into Canada or not?

Is there a list somewhere as to what can or canot be brought into Canada and the other way around as to what can or cannot be brought back into the States.

gresults · 03-17-2010, 03:37 PM

Government of Canada - Be Aware and Declare! - Rules and restrictions

gripper · 03-17-2010, 03:51 PM

Hi Tom,

I went into Canada last year and the border guards never even got out of the guard station. They just ask me a few simple questions and sent me on my way. Coming back was even easier. However, I would imagine that it depends on the terrorist threat, at the time. They are also very concerned about any firearms. At no time, was I asked about foods, fruits, etc.

Roland

Chuck 1935 · 03-17-2010, 04:20 PM

We went to Banff this last summer and never had a problem with the border boys asking about any food. They were more interested if we had guns or pepper spray. We had pepper spray and because it didn't have a picture of a bear on it they took it away. If we had come back the same way we came in they would have given it back. That made no sense since pepper spray and bear spray are both the same,17% capsicum. Bear spray sprays about 18 ft and the other stuff is about 5 ft. I will say that the Border boys would make Mother Theresa feel like a hooker. They look for any signs of nervousness and keep watching your eyes. Don't decide to wear your towel on your head that day. Bad Idea!! Not that there is anything wrong with that, mind you.(politically correct)

BobGed · 03-17-2010, 05:14 PM

There's no telling what they're going to do or when. I belonged to a street rod club in Spokane, and have made numerous trips into Canada. Some times we would cross with 25 to 30 cars in the group and no one would get pulled out for an inspection. Other times we would go with 10 to 12 cars and 2 or 3 could get inspected.

In the RV I've never been inspected by Canadian Customs, but did have the refer inspected by US Customs on one of our return trips.

tedward1555 · 03-17-2010, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobGed

There's no telling what they're going to do or when. I belonged to a street rod club in Spokane, and have made numerous trips into Canada. Some times we would cross with 25 to 30 cars in the group and no one would get pulled out for an inspection. Other times we would go with 10 to 12 cars and 2 or 3 could get inspected.

In the RV I've never been inspected by Canadian Customs, but did have the refer inspected by US Customs on one of our return trips.

Did they allow you to keep your refer?

Seajay · 03-17-2010, 06:21 PM

The last time Willa and me crossed was in 08, (i think) and they didnt look at anything. Here is the secret to success.
Have your ''stuff together''.....
By that I mean, passport, registration for all vehicles, prescription drugs in their bottles, a list of food stuffs, booze, ''ciggies'', info on your shotgun if you are going to Alaska, a big smile and a warm additude and DO NOT BE A SMART A$$ about anything. You give them trouble and they can make you wish your were dead. This goes for crossing both ways, to Canada and back to the USA....
The last time we crossed at Callis in MAINE they told us to pull over for inspection when we came back to the USA. We pulled over and the agent stepped into the coach and stopped on the second step. He wanted to know where we had been and if we had anything to declare. WE said Nova Scotia and nothing to declare.
He wanted to know if we had any atomic bombs or guided missles hidden under the bed and we said nope but we both have gas real bad from the Mexican food we had at lunch and that was probably what he was smelling. We all laughed and he said ''Welcome home'' ......
You never know what or anything they may look at. You just never know. but my rule of thumb is this
NEVER EVER LIE TO THESE PEOPLE. THEY CAN LOOK AT YOUR TIRES ON YOUR COACH AND TELL IF YOU ARE LYEING...... THEY CAN SEE IT IN YOUR EYES. LAUGH IF THEY LAUGH AND BE DEAD SERIOUS IF THEY ARE DEAD SERIOUS. We have encounter all types of personalities in these folks........ but most of all TELL THE TRUTH WHEN YOU ANSWER .....
Seajay the sailor man

depchief · 03-17-2010, 07:41 PM

When we where in Canada 2 years ago the Canadian Border Officials acted very professional and courteous.
The U.S. Agents when we came back to the States where the complete SMACKERS. I was totally blown away with their actions and accusations. I really had to bite my tongue to get thru and on on our way.
As stated above tell the truth and look them in the eye and hopefully the experience will be good.

Remember if you have animals make sure you have their shot records and they are up to date.

HMXDave · 03-17-2010, 08:11 PM

I've run into some nasty ones going each direction...but for the most part the US and Canuck border staff are very good. I've never had a real problem and I go south and back 3 or 4 times a year. One caution that I heard of...never happened to me, but to some of our friends in their 40' DP....there are radiation detectors at the border crossings and they are very sensitive. Our friends had their whole rig searched TOP TO BOTTOM (and they aren't tidy about it) when the radiation detector picked up a tiny anomaly. Turns out it was the propane they purchased....there is an acceptable level of radiation in some propane that isn't harmful, but it is measurable. I have no idea how to avoid it.

Chuck 1935 · 03-17-2010, 09:26 PM

I got pulled aside by US Border people coming in from Mexico at Tijuana. They detected something radioactice and put me and the car in a remote area and put a geiger counter on me. I WAS RADIOACTIVE !!. It turned out that I had a nuclear stress test the week before and it was still in my system. They told me the next time I have that test and I am going to travel, get a letter from your Doctor telling them about the test.

Papa_Jim · 03-17-2010, 09:46 PM

I don't know about the Canada border guards, but last summer the U.S. customs made us pull over, park and wait. Finally, a border guard arrived, stepped up into our home, walked straight to the fridge, rifled through it and came up with two oranges, and made a BIG deal of it. Also the food for our little dog. He confiscated the two oranges, and the little jug of our dog's food, forcefully reprimanded us and stormed away in a huff.. We're grateful that he didn't look in the basement................

Jim Sanderson
Canada, eh?

powerboatr · 03-17-2010, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck 1935

I got pulled aside by US Border people coming in from Mexico at Tijuana. They detected something radioactice and put me and the car in a remote area and put a geiger counter on me. I WAS RADIOACTIVE !!. It turned out that I had a nuclear stress test the week before and it was still in my system. They told me the next time I have that test and I am going to travel, get a letter from your Doctor telling them about the test.

i am trying not to laugh at that one

BobGed · 03-17-2010, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tedward1555

Did they allow you to keep your refer?

Yes, after they verified the majority of it was made in China, I was good to go.

MaverickBBD · 03-18-2010, 06:41 AM

There is no hard and fast rule. They can if they want. You are much more likely to be checked for fire arms going in. Much more likely to have you refrigerator checked coming back into the U.S. Passports both directions.