Crossing into Canada

[VaughnMB]

We are planning a two month trip to Alaska beginning at the end of May. The trip includes driving to Dawson Creek and beginning at Mile 0 of the Alaska Hwy. In preparation I have been looking at the Canadian Border Service website and found a section that concerns me. It appears as though we are not allowed to cross the border with any fruits, vegetables, poultry and a few other things. And, we are to have three copies of a Declaration form for all food items that we do have. For those of you that have crossed into Canada with your RV's, is it really that tough or am I reading it incorrectly?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Happy Easter to all!

Mitch

[waynemoore]

We have gone into Canada to Thunder Bay and the only thing they wanted to know was any guns and health crest for the dogs. Cents must be no older than 30 days. Nothing said about food??

[Tom S.]

Unless something has changed recently, they have never asked anything about that to us, and we've camped there many times. They were far more concerned about firearms and that our dogs had their proper papers.

[VaughnMB]

Thanks for the quick replies! I didn't think it could be that hard with food. I have heard it is difficult with weapons. I feel better.

Thanks,

Mitch

[TLightning]

Read that CA paperwork carefully. You will get no slack if you have something you are not authorized to take across the border. They are especially tough on weapons.

[The Oldguard]

•Fresh fruit seed product.
•Firewood. Campers should buy firewood on site, burn firewood on site, and leave all unused firewood on site.
•Most types weapons such as tasers, brass knuckles, and pepper spray.
•Certain knives, even those used for hunting or fishing.
•Radar detectors
•Obscene material, hate propaganda and child pornography
•All camping gear, recreational equipment and supplies must be clean and free of pests and soil.
Yes they do ask just not everyone.

[Mike117]

It is very clear you can't take fruits, vegetables and other items. Guess it depends where you cross. From Washington State they have asked and if you answer honestly they will make you dump it out. Be honest because if they search, bad news. On another forum on MOC I put a link to Candisn customs. I live 16 miles from border.

[Dmcgrew]

We watched an RV get searched as they got off of the ferry at Victoria BC, apparently they found too much wine, the trailer was from California and must have stopped at Napa Valley on the way north. The ferry was not allowed to leave untill all exiting passengers cleared customs, so our return trip was 2 hours late returning to Washington. We watched the driver who pulled the trailer get handcuffed and taken into a building on site while wife and young kids sat on the curb and cried. Not sure what the final result for fines was but they turned the trailer back around and loaded it back on to the ferry and made them return to the states.

Years ago we crossed the border with apples and were made to throw them out or eat them, apples could not come into the country Guns are a BIG problem and you can not get in with a hand gun without proper permits. Only other advice is do not joke with the border guards, when they ask if you plan on leaving anything in Canada they dont see it as a joke when you respond "these two darn kids if they dont stop fighting."

Other than that it's easy!!

[millwright01]

I am Canadian and live near the border and regularly cross with my RV. I also guide hunters so know some of their issues as well. There are very specific rules about what you can take across the border. Guns are a horrible hassle but doable with previous paperwork completed. Handguns....not so sure. Fruits and vegetables are hard to cross with no matter what direction you are going and raw meat (varies which ones from week to week for some reason) can be good one trip and banned the next. I have found that a quick call to Border Services a few days before I leave and they let me know what meat, fruits, or veggies are allowed. Apparently it depends on diseases, point of origin, or insects and the time of year.

[The Oldguard]

Remember that tomatoes’ are a fruit!!!

[VaughnMB]

Wow! Maybe it is as tough as it sounds. Thanks for all the great information. I will continue to do my research and place a call to Border Services closer to my departure date. Thanks again for all the responses, it is greatly appreciated!

Mitch

[dpam]

I'm a Canadian that crosses in to the USA a number of times per year and find the questions that I'm asked by American Border Agents are pretty much identical to the questions I'm asked when I'm returning in to Canada. I found telling the truth is the best policy, because if Canada Border Svcs catch a person not telling the truth by doing a search one of two things will happen - either a firm scolding or refusal of entry in to Canada. Canada is extremely strict about Americans trying to enter Canada with hand guns and with illegal drugs. Long rifles are allowed in to Canada, but only if they are declared in advance. Note that medical marijuana is considered an illegal drug in Canada, and if a person is caught trying to cross into Canada with medical marijuana and depending on the quantity the person may be charged with smuggling illegal drugs.

[DmaxDually]

Why would you even think about coming back into the U.S. from Canada? Just cross back INTO the U.S. at the Southern Border. They don't ask any questions. There is nobody there so you won't get stopped.You can bring in fruits, vegetables, meat, guns and drugs.Plus you'll get free healthcare, hospitalization,food, housing and free school. You can even file a tax return and get a refund....

[clarkandsheila]

It's not tough. As already pointed out phone and ask as the banned items can change depending upon what is a problem at that time. We go through that on the way home. We get on the website and it changes from year to year. We had to dump some good apples.

When we go south into the US we take no food at all for the same, although reverse reasons. Admittedly you will have a bit bigger problem as you need some food to travel to get to Canada. Just keep it down and be straight with the Customs. If you lie and get caught they can make life miserable.

But it's the same going south for us. Yes, I'm Canadian.

[sapest]

At the moment eggs and raw chicken from the US cannot be brought into Canada. No potted plants. If you have prescriptions, you MUST carry them in the original container, and the name on the container MUST exactly match the name on whatever travel documents (EDL, NEXUS, or Passport) you are using. Long guns are just paperwork and fees, handguns, as others have said are very difficult to bring in. $10,000 and over Canadian funds must be declared (bring in all you want) and with the current exchange thats about $7,500/8,000 US$
If anyone has a criminal past, be sure to discuss before you get the border and find out that 25 yr old possession bust will deny you entry. There are ways to deal with such things, but they must be done before you hit the border line up.

If its still there, be sure to stop in at Mae's Kitchen @ Wonowon.
Forgot to add, if crossing the border near Vancouver, the Peace Arch (I-5) crossing is more RV friendly than the 'truck crossing' (Pacific Hiway crossing)
-Steve

[1retired06]

We have always crossed without issue. Did have a handgun on one trip, turned in at the border, and picked it back up on the return trip.

[VaughnMB]

Thanks for all of the great advice!

[Lenny K]

That is correct about eggs and chicken not be allowed into Canada because of Avian flu in the US. We had to turn ours over at the border at Victoria on Friday.

[mazboy]

when at the border do what we do when we come out of mexico. when asked what you have, just say "I don't think I have anything I shouldn't have, but lets go check."

keep it simple and you'll do fine.

see you up in canada/alaska this summer also.

[fulltilt]

Be careful with raw food,especially poultry, [avion flu], firearms, doesn't matter which country you are entering.Surrender the food if you don't know, it is not a big deal. Be honest and respectful, no matter what, take it from somebody who lied once and spent the day in the cage and almost lost his vehicle !