Is it illegal to import packaged meat in Toronto to Buffalo?

Question

I'm tyring to start a hot dog stand in Buffalo. We only want the same ingredients as the hot dog vendors in Toronto. My question is, if we had to run in and buy in bulk in Toronto since we may or may not be able to have the meat imported, is it illegal to take the packaged meat over the boarder?

Answer 1

Well it is legal if you declare the items when crossing, and it's cooked meat, and approved by the American FDA. If the meat is raw, I wouldn't try. The food must have ok by the FDA. The meat can't be made from a country in which the U.S. won't trade with because of imposed sanctions or containing any ingredients from those places. Or any place that the U.S. won't trade fruits or meats with because of diseases or bugs.

Answer 2

If as you say you intend to sell the meat in a commercial enterprise you need to find an American FDA inspected and approved vendor that imports (or is willing to import) the Canadian sausages for you, or to have your own FDA licensed facility. Only Canadian Federally licensed producers may export to the USA for American commercial sale. Check with meat purveyors in the Buffalo area - what you want may already be available. I believe, for example, the Canadian produced Pillars and Schneiders brands are already available in parts of the USA, and Maple Leaf actually has a plant in the USA, though I don't know if their recipes for sausages made there vary from their Canadian operations. Packaged condiments should present no problem, but again, be aware should you think to use a brand sold on both sides of the border that recipes are sometimes different: the Heinz ketchup made for Canadian tastes is a bit sweeter than that made for the USA, for example.

Answer 3

I would suggest that you access the ICE(immigration and customs enforcement) website. It is very informative. Usually fruits and veggies are forbidden but I have legally brought tropical fruits in my carry on from Puerto Rico and Costa Rica. Also there should be some permit available especially if the food is comercially packaged.
Good luck.

Answer 4

If the border guards there are anything like the ones in Windsor, Ontario, you might want to avoid taking anything meat or vegetable across the border. They have signs up that say that you have to dump anything that fits that description. I guess you could always bury it at the bottom of your trunk and pray they don't have sniffing dogs!

Answer 5

Yes. Very.