Cross Border Road Trips & Food

[Kogo Shuko]

What do you do about food when you have a cross-border road-trip?

Do you bring snacks with you across the border and deal with the American border guards on a case-by-case basis? I know they ask if I'm bringing food into the country when I go cross-border shopping.

I was just wondering if it wouldn't be too much of a hassle to have snacks in the car.

 

[minnie mum]

Depends on the food I guess. The border website is pretty clear on what is not allowed. Fresh fruit is a definitely no no, but it can depend on the border agent's mood, sometimes. We once crossed with a couple of apples and oranges in our cooler, along with our picnic lunch. He allowed it when I told him we would be eating them in a couple of hours. On another occasion we had to surrender them.

Now adays I buy any perishibles after we cross the border. We just stop at a grocery store sometime that morning and fill up the cooler with whatever we need. I bring all the packaged foods/snacks and water/soda from home in a separate container.

 

[smashing]

When we went in September I had a full (small) suitcase full of snacks and drinks for the kids. We drove to Buffalo and they never even asked us about food. We just said we were going to Disney and they let us through. Guess I better read up on what's allowed for next time . Something I didn't even think about. It was just snack and breakfast stuff. No fruit or meat.

 

[Kogo Shuko]

I know both sides have issues bringing milk and cheese products into the country.

But even our guards aren't too strict on it, because my mother buys milk in Massena all the time and brings it back over!!

Some of the restrictions are so odd: you can't buy pet food in the States and bring it back to Canada, unless the pet is in the car with you. Whaaaat????

So I'm gathering that I can bring non-perishables, and I should be fine.

 

[dsneygirl]

But even our guards aren't too strict on it, because my mother buys milk in Massena all the time and brings it back over!!

Well you are allowed to bring milk.

Fresh produce is the biggest concern. Things like bread, bagels, peanut butter etc not as big a deal.

 

[Kogo Shuko]

Well you are allowed to bring milk.

Fresh produce is the biggest concern. Things like bread, bagels, peanut butter etc not as big a deal.

It's the cheese I've been warned about. Not sure if it's both sides or just the Americans don't like our methods of making cheese?

I know more about whether I can bring shells (yes) and sand (no) back to Canada than about food though, as I rarely buy anything more than boxed and canned goods. And Throwback Pepsi.

 

[rjan67]

Stick with packaged snacks and you'll be fine. If you purchase fruit that is from the US with individual stickers on it - it is also ok, but you need to declare it. Personally, I wouldn't be bothered, just make a pit stop and pick up what you need once you cross.

 

[dsneygirl]

It's the cheese I've been warned about. Not sure if it's both sides or just the Americans don't like our methods of making cheese?

I know more about whether I can bring shells (yes) and sand (no) back to Canada than about food though, as I rarely buy anything more than boxed and canned goods. And Throwback Pepsi.

Cheese is quantity as well. No commercial quantities (because it's so cheap there).

A Niagara cop was busted for cheese smuggling http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/...officer_charged_in_cheese_smuggling_case.html

 

[Kogo Shuko]

Cheese is quantity as well. No commercial quantities (because it's so cheap there).

A Niagara cop was busted for cheese smuggling http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/...officer_charged_in_cheese_smuggling_case.html

Now I've heard it all. And I grew up in a border town known for smuggling!! lol

 

[isabellea]

Stick with packaged snacks and you'll be fine. If you purchase fruit that is from the US with individual stickers on it - it is also ok, but you need to declare it. Personally, I wouldn't be bothered, just make a pit stop and pick up what you need once you cross.

I was told it was illegal to have fresh oranges in the car crossing state limits because the FL orange trees have a disease the California trees don't have and they don't want to spread it. Oranges would be a big no even if they have a US label on them. For our 24h roadtrip to WDW i plan on bringing two cases of bottle water (I don't like the taste of US bottle water and don't want to spend the $$$ to buy Evian) and apple sauce packets (go-go squeez). We'll buy the rest will be bought in the USA.

 

[rjan67]

I haven't specifically brought oranges...I don't think. I am often bringing items in my lunch when I work and only staying in one state. Although to come out of Florida to Canada they crossed many states? Generally, they don't bother, but as always, it is a case by case bases (border guards discretion). Like I said, when we do a big trip, I usually make a pit stop at some point at a grocery store and pick up what I need.

 

[VicMom]

And generally the groceries are cheaper anyways, so unless you need it for the first bit, why not just buy it once you cross? They you don't have to worry about the fresh produce/meat and can you/can't you and you can save some money.

The weirdest one I came across, was buying a bag of salad mix in Oregon that was made in California. Crossing the border into California and you go through a bit of an inspection. The guards checked our cooler and I had to throw out my unopened bag of California made salad to enter the state of California because it was bought in Oregon 2 hrs earlier.

I still scratch my head over that one.

 

[roberthodgson]

We are heading down in december will be taking a cooler with us any food we take ie a couple of sandwiches will be eaten before we cross the boarder.

We will restock for snacks and lunches after we cross the boarder its not worth dealing with whats allowed and whats not when crossing.

 

[4boyz]

When we drive to Florida we usually make up peanut butter sandwiches and have them in the cooler. We bring a case of Nestle's Water and bring a couple of 710 ml six packs of pop.

As was mentioned our water tastes better and I can pick up a 35 pack of Nestles water for $2.89 at Costco. The 6 pack of 710 ml bottles of pop routinely go on sale at Shopper's Drug Mart for $1.99. These prices are better than what you get it for in the States.

Never had a problem bringing food. Don't bring meat or fresh fruit and vegetables. Anyone who has been to a farm will be under particular scrutiny for potentially bringing back anything contaminated.

Any other food we pick up on the way. Cereal is usually way cheaper. If you like Lays potato chips be sure to try the Garlic Bread with Cheese flavor. This was their million dollar prize winner and not available in Canada.

 

[dancin Disney style]

We cross the border several times per year for a weekend or more visit and have been for the last 20 years. Almost always we have a cooler full of food. Occasionally, we are asked if we have food. We always have fruit/veg and cold cuts. We tell them what we have and never have a problem. Our last trip over was crossing at Port Huron last month and that guard was only concerned if we had tomatoes.

 

[archdandy]

Does anyone have any suggestions on what to bring? We are going to be driving down to Disney in September for the first time from just north of Toronto. My plan was to bring some fruit and breakfast items to snack on but the fruit is a no-go now. I just don't want to spend a ton of money on the way for food.

 

[dancin Disney style]

Does anyone have any suggestions on what to bring? We are going to be driving down to Disney in September for the first time from just north of Toronto. My plan was to bring some fruit and breakfast items to snack on but the fruit is a no-go now. I just don't want to spend a ton of money on the way for food.

It's not an issue as long as the stickers of origin are on the fruit. If you are worried about it then bring fruit cups or dried fruit.

 

[KateDrake]

I've never even been asked about food when crossing! We always have stuff in our cooler or a bag of things like pretzels, apple sauce, etc. I wonder if it depends on where you cross? We always cross into Montana, which isn't exactly known for food production.

Someone mentioned California, and they are EXTREMELY strict with what you can bring! Even from other states! We are from Utah and used to drive there often, and we always ended up throwing away fruit at the border. But that's the only time I've experienced anything like that.

I just have to add that even after being here 10 months, I still get sticker shock every time I buy cheese! I totally need to have my mom start smuggling it up to me when she comes.

Taking water is a great idea. The water throughout the South is TERRIBLE! Though water here in Canada tastes just like the water I grew up with in Utah, so it must be an issue of well water vs. fresh mountain springs. Gotta love that Rocky Mountain fresh taste!

 

[bdoyledimou]

I've never even been asked about food when crossing! We always have stuff in our cooler or a bag of things like pretzels, apple sauce, etc. I wonder if it depends on where you cross? We always cross into Montana, which isn't exactly known for food production.

So they never ask if yo have anything to declare? <-- that is them asking if you have ANYTHING to declare.

I have to be extremely careful when crossing as i am a Nexus member -- a friend of mine at work lost his Nexus for not declaring the box of candy he was bringing in.

 

[KateDrake]

So they never ask if yo have anything to declare? <-- that is them asking if you have ANYTHING to declare.

I have to be extremely careful when crossing as i am a Nexus member -- a friend of mine at work lost his Nexus for not declaring the box of candy he was bringing in.

I've never been asked that while driving, but of course you have to fill out the customs form when flying. But it sounds like there is a very big double standard here for US citizens vs. Canadians! We usually don't get anything but a "Welcome Home" and a wave on through. Maybe we just look REALLY boring!

What is Nexus?