I am going camping in Canada. What foodstuffs cannot be taken across the border from Michigan?

Question

I am concerned mostly about fruits and vegetables.

Answer 1

Some fruits, vegetables, nuts, plants, meat and dairy products may require permits issued in Canada in advance or certificates from the country of origin. Some fresh fruits and vegetables are regulated and there is a link in the website which you can use to enquire about specific items. If you have stuff which is not allowed it will be siezed or disposed of at your expense.
There are limits on the amount you can bring in as well. If you have in excess of the limitations you will be charged anywhere from 150-300% duty and taxes on it so be sure to stay under the limit.
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/E/pub/cp/rc4161/rc4161-e.html#P192_11966
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/corp... The links in this one don't seem to be activated as I write this but maybe it will be working by the time you read this. If not just disregard it.
Here are some examples.
Cheese 20kg per person to a maximum of $20 (not packed in whey)
Seeds small 500 grams per person
large 5 kg (beans,etc.)
Fresh fruits (tropical) 250 kg per person
Fresh/frozen/dried fruits and vegetables 20 kg per person
Coffee, spices, condiments ARE allowed.
Fish/ seafood are allowed except for puffer fish and chinese mitten fish.
Dairy products 20 kg or $20 in value.
Limit of 2 dozen eggs.
Limit of 3 kg of butter or butter substitute.
A limit of 20 kg of meat products.
All meat products must be identifiable as US produced.
Because you are camping I will also include the facts following.
If you bring in wood it must be insect and bark free.
Animal deterrants, mace and pepper spray are prohibited.
Guns are very strictly regulated. There is a link on the website pertaining to the regulations.
Pets must have a signed and dated certificate from a vet proving that they have recieved rabies shots in the last 3 years.
Prescription drugs must be in the original bottles and clearly labeled.
All food products, tobbacco, alcohol and prescription drugs should be in containers which can be sealed or taped closed at the border.

The websites provided have info on all the the above as well as links and phone numbers to contact if you need information on what you can't bring, etc.
Here is one of the numbers you can phone 1:-800-461-9999 (toll free in Canada) or
204-983-3500 or 506-636-5064
(long distance charges apply).

I hope this is helpful to you. Enjoy your trip to Canada.

Answer 2

Unfortunately, fresh fruits and vegetables are the things they are most concerned about. You can take canned or bottled or dehydrated foods, but not the fresh stuff. I've had a bag of oranges taken away, even though there are no orange orchards in Canada, but it seems that some of the pests and mites that live on oranges can attack other fruit trees, like apples and cherries, so they routinely confiscate most of the fresh fruits and veggies.
There's no shortage of stores in Canada, however, and you could pick up your fresh fruits and veggies after you cross the border. The irony of it is, most of them come from the US anyway.
Enjoy your camping trip!

Answer 3

The topic is on the Canadian Customs link I list. It includes the tables and links to updates. No need me repeating too much of what they say.

But I will say, looks like you can take a fair variety of stuff, as long as you declare it. 550 pounds of tropical fruit (oranges, pineapples) sound like more than what you will need. Anything processed, like canned or dried is fine. The main restriction is fresh fruits grown in Canada. Apples is the big one. It says there are regulations on root vegetables. You might want to look deeper into that.

Also remember going back home is a different issue. Going into the US generally has tougher laws on these things. You need to check into those rules, or try not bring anything back with you. And it wont matter if you bought it there, especially if you are camping. Like if you bring fruit camping, and some bugs get into it, then you bring it back to Michigan.

Answer 4

Should be fine as long as the are not whole plants.

Raw beef might be b issue though