Driving down! What isn't allowed past US customs?

[joandegennaro]

Hello all.

Can someone who has driven down answer a few ?'s. What type of foods are or aren't allowed past the U.S boarders? Can I pack lunch meats, fruit and cheese? How long does it usually take to get over the boarder? We will be going over at Fort Erie. Any advice on this particular boarder crossing?

 

[Susie63]

No produce and I am not sure about cheese or meat. Check with US border services

 

[iluveeyore]

We live here in Fort Erie, so wave as you go by!!!
I know that it's posted for certain produce, plants, meat etc. But we go across often, and when we drive anywhere far from here, I always pack a lunch - lunchables with meat and cheese, bananas, apples, etc. We don't usually get asked and if we do, I just say we packed some snacks and a lunch. I figure if they're going to be sticklers, then I'm just out a few dollars and if not, we have something to eat that I don't have to stop and buy. Just pack whatever you're comfortable with (if it's just for a travelling meal) - I wouldn't pack a cooler full of meats and produce, but a few things should be fine. If they don't ask, I don't tell!!! Have a safe trip!

 

[dancin Disney style]

We live here in Fort Erie, so wave as you go by!!!
I know that it's posted for certain produce, plants, meat etc. But we go across often, and when we drive anywhere far from here, I always pack a lunch - lunchables with meat and cheese, bananas, apples, etc. We don't usually get asked and if we do, I just say we packed some snacks and a lunch. I figure if they're going to be sticklers, then I'm just out a few dollars and if not, we have something to eat that I don't have to stop and buy. Just pack whatever you're comfortable with (if it's just for a travelling meal) - I wouldn't pack a cooler full of meats and produce, but a few things should be fine. If they don't ask, I don't tell!!! Have a safe trip!

I agree...only answer what you are asked. If they happen to take your sandwichs it really is no biggie.

It's my understanding that there is very little that is not allowed at the moment. Produce must have the stickers on it that shows where it came from. Sandwiches made from cold cuts should be fine but if you want to try and hedge then don't use beef or stick to PB & J.

When we do a US road trip we always bring a cooler with lunches in it and have never even been asked 'if' we had any food. The last time we drove to WDW the boarder guard opened the back of our van and the cooler was sitting in plain sight and he never even mentioned it.

I went over about 6 weeks ago to shop for the day with an empty cooler because I like to bring back groceries. When I was questioned going over the guy said to me 'is the cooler empty?' I said 'yes' and that was it.

 

[monkey30]

I guess it depends on where and who is standing there!

We went through once and they took our dog food, as it had meat products in it. Thank goodness there was barely in it.

General rule is no produce or meat product. My dad is a long haul trucker and does not even take a cooler anymore he finds there is such a hassel at many of the crossings for meat. I just don't take it so I don't provide lunch for the people working at the boarder!!LOL

 

[joandegennaro]

We plan to cross in the evening after a stop for dinner in Grimsby, ON. We might have a few pieces of fruit as my DH is a diabetic and having an apple or bannana is good to keep his blood sugar up while driving. I won't plan to bring lunch meats after reading your replies. Might have time to stop at WalMart the first night in Fredonia, NY and pick up food supplies for the rest of the trip. Would be nice to be able to make lunches on the trip down to save a little $. Not to mention the time saved from having to stop for lunch.

Will wave as we pass threw Fort Erie!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Not everytime but there have been occasions when driving into the Detroit at the Amabassador Bridge that the Customs agent asked if we had any meats in the car. I also want to say they also asked if we had any veggies, however I can not remeber if they did.

 

[candielips]

We always have packed food when we cross the border. In fact I was asked once while eating if there were tomatoes on my sandwich. I replied yes and he smiled and left it at that.
I will still always pack food and if they make me throw out my fruit, veggies, meat, fine so be it, I'll stop at the next grocery store.

 

[rjan67]

Normal lunch meats...ham, turkey, roast beef are fine. Fruit must have a sticker on each individual fruit saying it is from Canada or the U.S. If they find anything that doesn't have a sticker that is cause to have to go be searched and having to go in to be seen by the agriculture officer. Personally, I wouldn't bother with the fruit (bring canned fruit cups) and pull over at the first grocery or super Walmart and pick up what you need.

 

[dancin Disney style]

About 3 months ago a friend of mine emailed me a link to a government website that explained what foods were banned from carrying across the border. It basically said that you couldn't bring game meats into the US.....so no Moose sandwiches. These things do change often so it would be worth searching.


My friend had this info because they belong to a camping club and meet across the border several times per year. They have a really large motorhome and like to get all their groceries before they leave home. She said that RV's tend to be looked at a little closer since many have large fridge and freezers.

 

[joandegennaro]

Thank you to all who have given their input. I think that we will just forgo any lunch meats and fruits and just stick to the home made muffins and granola bars till we get into the U.S. I've booked us into hotels that are all within minutes of a WalMart. I figure I should be able to pick things up. We are spreading our travel time over 3 days. Day 1 get about 1 hour into the U.S at Fort Erie, Day 2 travel about 10hrs, Day 3 about 7 hrs. Our immediate goal is to get to Daytona. We are staying there for 3 days before we head to Disney. I have a bad back and currently am recovering from a broken rib. I hope that spreading it out over the 3 days will be good enough. This is our first time driving down so it will be a learning experience. Also since we will be traveling in March I have accounted for weather making the travel times longer. If we reach our destination early then we just have extra time to relax before the next days travel.

 

[photofreak]

We travel with our trailer and yes they usually investigate us a lil more thoroughly than just driving....
The Peace & Rainbow bridges are way more friendly than the Port Huron-Sarnia Bluewater bridge.
If you take the sandwich meat in a package with label and bread seperately, you should have no trouble. Apples and bananas are never a problem but citrus fruits are a big no-no.
Good luck!! We're heading over the exact same bridge on January 24th on our trip down to the World... Even stopping at Daytona for a night before our arrival on the 26th!!

 

[rodeo65]

My Aunt and Uncle (ever the jokester) cross at Windsor every year and know that anything they have should be consumed before the border so they don't risk having it tossed. Last year when asked if he had any meat he answered that he had about a kilometer back but he'd eaten it. He said he'd never had such a grumpy look.

The guard obviously didn't appreciate his fabulously witty sense of humor.