Recent Canada Entry - Post Tariffs

[vipalaska]

Given the recent comments about making Canada our 51st state and the tariff spat between the US and Canada, my wife and I were concerned about transiting Canada on our way to AK. We entered the Osoyoos, BC border crossing on 4/29/25 and had no contraband. We told the official that we were headed home to AK and that we would be in Canada about 4-5 days. As you may know, this area along with NE Washington is known for apple, cherry, and grape orchards. When asked about what plants or produce we had onboard, we said we had no live plants, just produce in our fridge, like lettuce, tomatoes, apples, and carrots. He said we could not bring US apples into their country because they are a apple producing Province; so we had to surrender them by putting them in a bin. Opened the lid on the bin and found more apples and firewood.

What we didn't expect upon entering AK, was the new agricultural inspector who wanted to know what we had on board? Since it was miserable weather (cold, windy, & rainy) we invited him on board. He confiscated our frozen chicken, eggs, tomatoes because of bird flu and he claimed our tomatoes were grown in Canada, even though all of these items were purchased in the US. We bought nothing in Canada except for gas, candy, and topical ointment for my aching back. Not sure how many more trips I'm willing to make.

Long story short, be prepared to give up a few items of food for the hungry border guards 😁.

As far as the road is concerned, we had good road conditions all throughout BC. As usual, they are still terrible between Haines Junction and Tok. Flat tire (inside dually) in Tok. Slightly better between Tok and Glenallen. Don't ask if the Alcan road is paved. It has been paved for decades, but you will still experience areas under construction with washboard gravel and the dreaded frost-heaves and dips in the asphalt paving. If the fog lines look like ribbons, slow down.

Hope this helps.

[Old-Biscuit]

Long story short.......no real changes

[Skip426]

The Canadian border agent must have forgotten to ask about eggs .
I'm pretty sure eggs can't be transported in either direction across the borders, due to the bird flu .

We've had to surrender eggs when crossing into the USA and the agent gave us a number to call a day ahead for complete up to date restrictions .

[ThisIsUs]

We lost 2 eggs last November out of their carton in a bowl to the USA border agent which we declared at crossing and she came on and inspected. Told us some eggs are allowed down if for example came from BC at that time, but because out of packaging they couldn't tell so confiscated.

We've lost various produce at various times crossing the border the past 25+ years depending on what's not allowed that changes almost every time. Rice, in the past chicken, beef pre-packaged meals containing and various fruits depending where from. Some years we were allowed to take tomatoes but only if they weren't whole and had been sliced!

Nowadays we try not to take very much if anything across and still manage to have something that's not allowed. LOL.

[Skip426]

Originally Posted by ThisIsUs

Nowadays we try not to take very much if anything across and still manage to have something that's not allowed. LOL.

I now have a stock answer for the food items question .

"Fridge is empty and I have the location of the nearest Walmart Superstore programed into my GPS."

Just to say how crazy things can get ; years back a SEALED bag of rice ; labeled " Product of USA " , taken when I tried to carry it back into the US.

[twogypsies]

No problems if you read the current government sites on what's allowed... this year. It does change almost yearly for various reasons.

There are excellent stores in both countries to get your food.

[NRR]

Years ago, I had a “discussion” getting back into USA over frozen Johnsonville brats. He said they were beef. A no, no at the time. I showed him they were pork and packaged in USA. I was a new transplant to Wisconsin back then. But had to stick up for a Wisconsin product. Ate them on the way home.

[Rexlion]

A few years ago my buddy hauled a hotshot load across the border into Canada. Coming back with empty flatbed, US customs made him stand in a small square (no sitting down, no bathroom breaks) while they pulled his pickup apart for two hours. Then he had the fun task of putting things back in afterward, of course.


Honestly, I would have thought it illegal to do such a search of a US citizen on the US side without a search warrant. But I only got a C+ average in my 3 years of law school, so what do I know?


When I was a child and teen, my family and I crossed into Ontario many times to fish and vacation. I always thought I would go see the CA rockies at least one more time. But at this point I simply don't want to take the chance that my 'lucky number' might come up for a vehicle strip search. I'm done with border crossings. JMO.

[RV_Lee]

Originally Posted by Rexlion

A few years ago my buddy hauled a hotshot load across the border into Canada. Coming back with empty flatbed, US customs made him stand in a small square (no sitting down, no bathroom breaks) while they pulled his pickup apart for two hours. Then he had the fun task of putting things back in afterward, of course.


Honestly, I would have thought it illegal to do such a search of a US citizen on the US side without a search warrant. But I only got a C+ average in my 3 years of law school, so what do I know?


When I was a child and teen, my family and I crossed into Ontario many times to fish and vacation. I always thought I would go see the CA rockies at least one more time. But at this point I simply don't want to take the chance that my 'lucky number' might come up for a vehicle strip search. I'm done with border crossings. JMO.

This is what angers me. The border guys can search you inside and out, but a cop cannot, and this is in your own country.

[Bobby F]

Originally Posted by RV_Lee

This is what angers me. The border guys can search you inside and out, but a cop cannot, and this is in your own country.

The 100-mile "border search exception" has been in place for decades. When friends and I used to go to Padre Island, or to Mexico, back in the late 70's, we'd almost always get pulled over in that 100-mile zone and searched. (We looked like we needed searching, to be honest.)

If you live within 100 miles of the Canada or Mexico border, you just get used to this.

[spock12]

Not only can the border guards search you but they can search your phone or tablet without a warrant and it’s legal. You have to give them your password. You don’t have any legal protection crossing the border. The only thing I have going into Canada is 2 bottles of wine but no food. I will have Mexican Coke and I plan on buying more once I get to Walmart in Canada. I can buy Mexican Coke cheaper in Canada than America.