restricted/allowable food over the border?

[striker3636]

I know there is a list somewhere that outlines the food that we are able to bring from Canada into the US. I have had no luck wading through the US Dept of Agriculture website to find anything current on restrictions. Our parents are "winter Texans" and have warned us to be careful as even frozen prepared food with Canadian hamburger has been confiscated.

Does anyone know how to get the current info. on allowable/restricted food into the US?

Thanks!!

 

[Timon]

Here you go!

http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/xp/cgov/travel/clearing_goods/agri_prod_inus.xml

 

[sandraB]

Anything with beef in it (even hot dogs) are not allowed, either are citrus fruits. Even other fruits need a sticker on them to identify where they are from.

I once lost a casserole, lunch meat, fruit my kids where eating!

I now only bring chicken stuff and only apples.

Have fun!

 

[kg66]

We've Had Even Lunch Meat Confiscated From Our Trailers, Ex. Bologna,summer Sausage , Pepperoni Sticks, Etc, You Get The Idea. If It Could Possibly Contain Beef, They Take It!! Apples, Make Sure They Are Still In The Bag From The Grocery Store, And Make Sure You Buy The Pre-bagged Apples, So They Say Where They Come From. Same As Grapes, Leave Them In The Bag From The Grocery Store. You Can Bring Bananas Over If They Are Dole. They Can Be Picky. Last Time We Went Over , I Brought Snacks For The Kids, But The Rest We Bought At The Meijers At One Of Our Stops Along The Way. This Way You Don't Have To Stress When You Cross The Border. We've Had Them Come Through And Go Through Our Trailer's Cupboards, And Fridge And Freezer, So Don't Think They Won't. Especially Since They Just Had 2 New Cases Of Mad Cow Disease From Canada In The Last 2 Weeks.
Good Luck, We Did Fw Last Year, You'll Love It.
2005-7 Day Land (cbr) & Sea(wonder) In 14 Days
2004-fw
1981-off Property

 

[kg66]

Last Time We Went Over, The Customs Off. Told Us We Can't Bring Over Raw Chicken Or Uncooked Eggs. Never Heard Of This One, In All Our Trips Over. He Said That's Been That Way For A Long Time, So Watch Out.....

 

[mariethecat]

I think the rules about food going into and out of Canada should be easier to know about. When we returned from Florida a few weeks ago I had packed a banana in my carry on bag to eat on the plane. When we got in the Halifax airport there was a dog sniffing carry on and suitcases that had been on plane. The guy with the dog gave some people a hard time for having some food items and said they could have been fined $200. The dog then went to a person that had a baby bag as they also had food of course. Then the dog came to my carry on and detected the banana. I told the guy we had eaten it on the airplane. I am an educated person who reads the newspaper everyday, watches a lot of news and educational type of TV shows and never have I once seen anything about restrictions about food going across the border. I had booked our airline tickets through a travel agent and nothing was told to me.

 

[dsneygirl]

To be on the safe side I would stay away from anything fresh. Meat, fruit etc. Packaged or prepared items you should have no problem.

The regualtions, although they may seem extreme are to prevent any diseases that can be carried in meat or food and it's really for our protection in the long run.

 

[striker3636]

Thanks everyone for such quick replies! I have heard about the beef and chicken being restricted. I am hoping to find out specifically which fresh vegies and fruit are allowed. Some stickers don't always tell you what country they are from. Is it ok as long as it is from Canada? Thanks Timon for the link, but unfortunately is just generally says that some fruits & vegies from Canada are ok. I'll make sure I get Dole bananas if those ones seem to be going through ok!

 

[RoyalCanadian]

I am an educated person who reads the newspaper everyday, watches a lot of news and educational type of TV shows and never have I once seen anything about restrictions about food going across the border. I had booked our airline tickets through a travel agent and nothing was told to me.

I learned about food restrictions by watching the educational shows (there is one about the dogs that sniff out the food) and walking through one of the local shopping malls -- one of the government ministries had pamphlets on the dangers of bringing in foreign meats, plants and produce.

I have found TAs to be fairly useless in most aspects of travel planning -- I wouldn't count on them for anything beyond affirming what is on the front cover of the brochures in the racks that surround them. It is the responsibility of the individual traveller to educate themselves about their rights, responsibilities and obligations as a Canadian travelling abroad and what they may and may not bring home.

 

[BLBCB]

That's too bad that you name all travel agents with the same opinion. Just like in any field, there are some travel agents that just punch in the numbers. It is a service industry, so if you don't like the service, go somewhere else. I've had wonderful service from some travel agents, and horrible service from others. Which one do you think gets my repeat business?

 

[kg66]

I JUST FOUND THE # I USED LAST YEAR TO CALL AHEAD TO US CUSTOMS TO FIND OUT SPECIFICALLY WHAT FOOD I COULD AND COULD NOT BRING IN TO THEIR COUNTRY. THIS IS THE # FOR THE WINDSOR-DETROIT BRIDGE CROSSING, BUT THE INFO WOULD BE THE SAME WHEREVER YOU CROSS, 1-313-226-3161. GOOD LUCK!


JAN 30/05- 7 DAY LAND & SEA
2004 FORT WILDERNESS
1981-OFF PROPERTY

12 DAYS AND COUNTING :jumping4:

 

[MaryannF]

My sons girlfriend had to go to a funeral in Detroit recently and grabbed an assorted submarine sandwich (Mr. Sub) on the run. When she crossed at Windsor she still had 1/2 the sandwich on the seat beside her. Because it couldn't be determined exactly if the meat on the sandwich was beef, it was confiscated.
I'll be flying to WDW on WestJet next month. WestJet's website indicates that food is not served on the plane but you can bring a meal on with you. Beef and Citrus are prohibited.

 

[robsawatsky]

While good Travel Agents should be aware of the requirements and restrictions on crossing borders (at least for Canadian Citizens traveling to the more common tourist destinations), almost every thing you sign at at TA will either directly or indirectly (by reference to terms and conditions) state that requirements for admission to the destination country are the travellers' sole responsibility.

So, self education is key to international travel.

 

[Disneyof3]

My mother in law had apples without the stickers when she crossed in November and they took them away. But I heard from them that the officier said as long as they have the sticker on them they are okay. So If I buy them bulk from the grocery store and put them in a plastic bag can they still go over the border with the stickers on them or do they have to be sealed by the store in there apple bags with the label on them and everything?

 

[StuartMI]

You can't even bring over dog/cat food. You need to purchase it AFTER you get here.

Reminds me of the time I was over to Windsor for a few hours and finished eating a hamburger from Harvey's right as i pulled up to the window. Couldn't exactly confiscate it since I just swallowed the last bite.