What do you do about bringing food into Canada?

[goonstroke]

I've never been bothered about food, but I never had anything unpackaged.

This does remind me of an interesting crossing though. I was going into Quebec from western Maine, small rural crossing, and was questioned along these lines:
CANADIAN BORDER GUARD: Do you have any weapons, guns, knives, mace, anything like that?
ME: No.
GUARD: Not doing any hunting, no rifle?
ME: No.
GUARD: No guns at all?
ME: Nope, none.
GUARD: Well, do you *own* a gun?
ME: No.
[I'm a city boy, but apparently that day I looked like I was carrying. He looked at me kinda narrow eyed but then moved on.]
GUARD: Do you have any alcohol, beer, wine, anything?
ME: Nope.
GUARD: Not even a bottle of wine?
ME: No, nothing.

At that point I had to bite my tongue so hard to avoid saying "I do *own* a bottle of wine ...". I'm sure that would have bought me a ration of trouble!

 

[Marten]

The border agents are just doing their jobs so be thankful for the ease that we have as canoeist. If every thing was enforced to the letter of the law we would need to hire a lawyer from each country to pack our food barrel.

 

[yknpdlr]

I carried my paddling partner's 23' carbon fiber ($$) C4 canoe on my Forester loaded with team gear from northern NY State to Whitehorse (he flew). In case of ownership and source question I made sure I had with me a copy of his original bill of sale, along with a signed permission letter from him. I did not want the question to be asked of where I found or bought that canoe. Didn't need to show either in either direction. When I drove across the border at the Thousand Islands Bridge, the agent asked me where am I going.. "Whitehorse", I said, "for a canoe race". All he said was "that is a long drive from here". Yup it sure was.

 

[sweeper]

That's a good crossing. The Canadian Guard asked me where I was headed, I told him Algonquin, he asked me what route I was taking, I told him, he said he had done anything in the Southern part and I think if he could have he'd have jumped in the car and paddled with me. Fortunately there was no one behind me at the Crossing.

 

[DanOver]

Crossed over twice from the US at Grand Portage this year. Both times going in, I had a good, but lengthy experience.

First time I stopped in the US at an ALDI for everything but fresh meat, veggies and eggs. But I had frozen salmon and deer cutlets in my cooler and a big bag of homemade jerky on the front seat. I had put the beer and wine in a milk crate where it could be easily inspected. First they asked where I was going (Jellicoe) which prompted "Why?", "Where are you staying?". "Do you know anyone there?" Fishing and canoeing. Pasha Lake. No one.

They asked about guns, alcohol and drugs. I told them I had OTC pain reliever, 2 bottles of Malbec and a 12 pack of Alaskan Amber. I was told to park around back. When the agents came out to inspect, I told them it was all open and I had to use the rest room. I came back 10 minutes later and was told I was good to go. So....easy.

The second time I brought 2 shotguns, ammo and a dog in addition to the above. I stopped on the US side and got a receipt for my guns so I could bring them back. Then on to the Canadians. They checked the SN on the guns, my ammo and wine, the dog's rabies certificate and sent me along after the usual questions. No problems or questions about food either time.

On the way back into the US I had over a dozen grouse in a cooler and some splake. I mentioned it to the US Customs officer who asked how the hunting was, looked at my gun paperwork and passport and sent me along.

I think the fact that I keep my gear neat and accessible, have the main items they want to see separate and in the open and that I declare those things on arrival help the officers. Transparency is a good thing if you're not up to anything.

 

[Iskweo]

I know a guy who brought three canoes with him, two of which were kind of rough, and told the border guys he was " going on a canoe trip".

 

[Grandpa Paddler]

Been crossing into Canada (mostly @ Ft Erie/Buffalo - Peace Bridge) since 1964 mostly headed to Algonquin. In the late 70's/early 80's my wife and I assisted taking teenagers up and one year we took a rented school bus - surprisingly easy in and back.even tho coming back the kids were excited about coming home. The BP agent boarded our bus to a robust teenage version... "my country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty of thee we sing". He waited patiently, with a big smile, until they had sung all the stanzas they could remember. A few basic border crossing questions and we were on our way (kids singing again).

The only time we were inspected was a day trip to Niagara Falls with our eldest and his wife. At the inspection station we were instructed to wait by the building. After 30 minutes of watching 3 agents remove everything, including spare tire and floor mats, from our little Subaru wagon and inspecting our picnic basket and the ladies purses, we were told we were good to go. Of course, everything was still on the pavement were they left it. Almost ruined the day but since it was our 25th anniversary...

Don't remember ever being asked about food, meat or fresh produce. All the other routine questions, tho. I actually think it's faster/easier (once I finally get to the booth) with my passport card. Biggest problem now is waiting in line for an hour (or two) crossing back into the states.

4 years ago I went to Algonquin with my grandson's scout troop. 3 trucks, 2 vans, a lone sedan and 3 trailers full of canoes. Since the sedan was my son's company car, I assumed problems would ensue. Since he was the scoutmaster, he was first. Took about 10 minutes for him to get cleared. All they wanted from the rest of the vehicles was to see passports and parental release forms.

 

[yknpdlr]

For many years scouts alternated a camporee each year across the border with Scouts Canada. One year on the US side, the next on the Canadian side of the Thousand Islands Bridge. The year it was my turn to take a van load of kids to the other side, I was questioned on whose kids are those anyway, and where is their ID? Whoops, never thought about that, no other scout leader had ever mentioned that either. Luckily we were able to round up enough library cards and the like to have some kind of ID for each scout, who were all in uniform. it was a good lesson, taking unrelated kids across an international border. I think I got off easy and we continued on our way. Would never be allowed today, I am sure.

 

[Grandpa Paddler]

When my sons were younger scouts (early 80's), their troop partnered with a Canadian troop. Every January they would come to our council's winter campout. Over fathers day weekend we went to an invitational shindig up there. Great fun! That's when I decided scouting was not for the boys, it was for the dads. Now that my grandson aged out and my son is no longer scoutmaster, I don't get invited to go on outings. My canoes get invited... just not me.

 

[Shearwater]

FWIW, OTC Dramamine in the States is called Gravol in Canada.
I go across the border 3 or 4 times a year for canoeing. My rules are no fresh fruit or meat or vegetables. So I've never had a problem or been searched. As well, the only knife that I carry is a single blade hunting knife - no double blade (stiletto types) - no quick blades of any kind. So again no problems. I also unlock the back of my truck and tell them that if they want to look that it's unlocked. I also roll down the back windows.

When I tell them that I'm going for a "canoetripping.com" get-together organized by Robin they just wave me through with a two thumbs up

 

[yknpdlr]

It was the pharmacist who told us that we couldn't buy Dramamine OTC in Canada. She sold us something else instead, but I don't remember the name.

A canoe partner friend from Belgium came for a visit and a canoe race in NY last May. I drove to Ottawa to pick him up at the airport as the most convenient/cheapest travel option. Even though he had pre-coordinated the required forms with me to sign and with border control, I was directed to pull my car over and leave the keys with an outside agent while we were interviewed inside. I am almost certain they used my keys to open the car and go through his packed gear. The car was in a different place when we exited the building. No real hassle, all seemed rather routine and friendly, but the interviewer was very interested in details of our upcoming Yukon canoe race, planned for his return trip to Canada a month later.