Travelling to Niagara Falls from US - what can I bring across border?

[MommytoaSweetie]

Hi! We're taking a family trip to the Niagara Falls area in a few weeks. We're hoping to not spend overbudget as much as we can, so I'm trying to plan out ways to save. Our hotel has a refrigerator, so I was planning to bring up some items for breakfasts and lunches, but I'm not sure about the rules for doing so. I tried looking on a Canada government website and it mentioned fruits/vegetables, but was confusing on that and anything else.

It's easier for me to buy stuff here (and I think cheaper), but I don't mind buying some items there. I was thinking of bringing the following with me, can you tell me if it's okay?
-milk (probably single-serve shelf-stable boxes, like Horizon or Organic Valley, although maybe just a gallon)
-ground coffee
-hard boiled eggs
-yogurt
-cereal
-fruit bars (like Nutrigrain, but Trader Joe's brand)
-bread
-peanut butter
-jelly or honey
-chips
-trail mix
-candy

-fruit??? and cut-up vegetables??? I'm thinking I just need to buy them in Canada, right?

OH, and are there any items available in Canada that I canNOT get in the US? Would I be able to bring them back into the US?

Thank you SOOOOO much for your help!!

 

[YukiPhnx]

All those things you plan to bring should be allowed to cross the border. I think our customs officers are more concerned about you bringing weapons or drugs into the country, which I'm sure you won't be. I've been across the border at Niagara and brought mustard back into Canada! We don't have Gulden's up here...

One thing I know that we have up here is Ketchup flavoured chips! It tastes much better than it sounds.

 

[YukiPhnx]

Sorry for the double post

 

[Disney Daniel]

OH, and are there any items available in Canada that I canNOT get in the US? Would I be able to bring them back into the US?

While there are many food items available in the U.S. that we do not have in Canada, one thing that I always find Canada has an abundance of compared to stores in the United States is potato chip flavors (as mentioned above with ketchup chips). I have seen it mentioned on the DIS several times and a year or two ago I was in Florida with a friend who had not spent much time in the US and he was shocked at how limited the chip selection was (and we were in Orlando, not a rural area). With that in mind that could be something to look for that should not be a problem crossing the boarder.

One additional, and somewhat strange item of note since we are on the topic, is that we have chocolate eggs with little toys in them called Kinder Surprise. Do not take these across the border into the United States as the US Customs and Border Protection are quite strict about the importation of these chocolate eggs and I believe you can actually be fined up to $300 for trying to take them into the US. They are quite common in Canada and in Europe, however the United States does not allow them to be imported so keep that in mind if you see them.

 

[Gigi22]

OP, we have some really yummy cheese here. If you see some Balderson cheddar cheese, particularly the three year old or older, try it out. My DSis, who moved to the U.S. a year ago, has asked me to ship her some--so I am fairly sure you can't get it there.

 

[Polydweller]

Here is a link to the Canadian Government's BeAware and Declare site that provides the accurate info.

 

[lizabu]

I used to buy groceries in the US and bring them into Canada all the time. The only thing is I wouldn't try to bring fruit of veggies over the border. They are actually very strict about produce. There are all these dept. of agriculture laws and fear that a parasite or something could infect our crops of something. Everything else you said is fine. The only restrictions I've ever seen is like mentioned produce, tobacco and alcohol. The last 2 things theres duty to pay on. The produce they could throw it in the garbage on you.

 

[YukiPhnx]

They don't have Kinder Surprise there?????

Wow.....I feel spoiled.

 

[rewok]

As OP said, forget the fruits & veggies at home, they sometimes will let you keep them, but not worth the chance. I've also found that while most grocery items are cheaper in the States, produce is in fact cheaper here in Canada. It might vary depending on location, but I've been to Vermont NY State, Virginia & Florida, and was always shocked at how expensive those were compared to home.

 

[minnie56]

The above post made me think..we lived in Bradenton, Florida some years back..Tropicana Orange juice was cheaper here at the time than there. And it's made in Bradenton, Florida..

 

[MommytoaSweetie]

You guys are AWESOME!!! THIS is why I love DISboards! I was trying to find this information by searches and such and was not very successful. Last night I had an idea that DIS might have a Canadian board, and woohoo, it does, and you're all awesome people. THANK YOU so so much for all your help!

All those things you plan to bring should be allowed to cross the border. I think our customs officers are more concerned about you bringing weapons or drugs into the country, which I'm sure you won't be. I've been across the border at Niagara and brought mustard back into Canada! We don't have Gulden's up here...

One thing I know that we have up here is Ketchup flavoured chips! It tastes much better than it sounds.

Awesome, thanks SO much!! I'm intrigued by the ketchup chips... my kids would think that's great, they love ketchup on anything.

While there are many food items available in the U.S. that we do not have in Canada, one thing that I always find Canada has an abundance of compared to stores in the United States is potato chip flavors (as mentioned above with ketchup chips). I have seen it mentioned on the DIS several times and a year or two ago I was in Florida with a friend who had not spent much time in the US and he was shocked at how limited the chip selection was (and we were in Orlando, not a rural area). With that in mind that could be something to look for that should not be a problem crossing the boarder.

One additional, and somewhat strange item of note since we are on the topic, is that we have chocolate eggs with little toys in them called Kinder Surprise. Do not take these across the border into the United States as the US Customs and Border Protection are quite strict about the importation of these chocolate eggs and I believe you can actually be fined up to $300 for trying to take them into the US. They are quite common in Canada and in Europe, however the United States does not allow them to be imported so keep that in mind if you see them.

I'm so going to check out all the potato chips!! So does anyone know why the Kinder Surprises can't come into the US? They sound cute! Do you know if we bought one there, ate the chocolate, and just brought the toys back if that's allowed? Our strange country.

OP, we have some really yummy cheese here. If you see some Balderson cheddar cheese, particularly the three year old or older, try it out. My DSis, who moved to the U.S. a year ago, has asked me to ship her some--so I am fairly sure you can't get it there.

Sounds yummy, thank you!

Here is a link to the Canadian Government's BeAware and Declare site that provides the accurate info.

Awesome, thanks!

I used to buy groceries in the US and bring them into Canada all the time. The only thing is I wouldn't try to bring fruit of veggies over the border. They are actually very strict about produce. There are all these dept. of agriculture laws and fear that a parasite or something could infect our crops of something. Everything else you said is fine. The only restrictions I've ever seen is like mentioned produce, tobacco and alcohol. The last 2 things theres duty to pay on. The produce they could throw it in the garbage on you.

Yeah, that makes sense about the produce... if I could figure out whoever brought stinkbugs to our area (or really Pennsylvania) from Asia, I'd have a LOT to say to them because they are driving me crazy here and killing our local farm's crops.

As OP said, forget the fruits & veggies at home, they sometimes will let you keep them, but not worth the chance. I've also found that while most grocery items are cheaper in the States, produce is in fact cheaper here in Canada. It might vary depending on location, but I've been to Vermont NY State, Virginia & Florida, and was always shocked at how expensive those were compared to home.

That's good to know! I tried to get an idea of prices by looking at a Canadian grocery store flyer (compared to what I see here) and the prices looked similar, but it's hard to tell with the Canadian vs. US dollar exchange and all.

 

[Disney Daniel]

I'm so going to check out all the potato chips!! So does anyone know why the Kinder Surprises can't come into the US? They sound cute! Do you know if we bought one there, ate the chocolate, and just brought the toys back if that's allowed? Our strange country.

Attached is a link to a Wikipedia article that talks about Kinder Surprise and likely gives you more information on them than you will ever need to know. I can't see taking the toys back being a problem as I believe the biggest concern is the toy being inside an edible object which some view as a choking hazard. Have a nice trip!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinder_Surprise

 

[Tinkermom76]

there is a No Frill grocery store right on Lundys Lane that has good prices and a Walmart just off the Hwy in the Falls as well so if you need anything else it will only take you 5 min to get to a grocery store

 

[encinc]

I tried to get an idea of prices by looking at a Canadian grocery store flyer (compared to what I see here) and the prices looked similar, but it's hard to tell with the Canadian vs. US dollar exchange and all.

Right now, you can basically ignore the exchange. Our dollar is worth a little more than yours, but only by a couple of cents on every dollar, so it's not going to be super noticeable. Ontario does have high sales tax (13% on most things), so that is something that you'll want to factor in. There's no sales tax on most groceries, but some snack-type foods are taxed. Sales tax (and in Niagara the destination marketing fee) is something to keep in mind when budgeting costs for hotel and restaurant meals.