Food restrictions for US boat entering B.C./Canada

[JustBob]

This seems to be the appropriate web page with food restrictions:

What Can I Bring Into Canada in Terms Of Food, Plant, Animal and Related Products? - Canadian Food Inspection Agency

However, I know two years ago we couldn't bring potatoes (anything with an "eye") nor any stonefruit. Although we could sit outside the border and pit all the fruit and dump the pits, which doesn't make any sense.

Just last night some boaters that went last year said the same thing.

Anyone know a more definitive web page for food restrictions entering B.C.? And many of you have cleared this year, I'm sure, what do you hear over the radio/cell about restrictions?

 

[Bacchus]

I haven't seen or studied a difinitive list but get the impression it is very variable.
That page even says can be changed at any time...

I have good friends w a motorhome that were checked & told to cook (on the spot) chicken they had in the freezer or toss it.
I don't get it what did tjety think they would do with it 1 or more days later when hungry. .. try to breed them or toss them into a chicken farm uncooked? ??
Dairy has long been a hot button but that's all about duties and high prices in CDN.
Same here in NY w firewood... they sometimes threaten to confiscate it if brougt in from more than 50 mi... I asked the park what they do with the confiscated wood?
With a straight face the mgr said they would burn it!
DUH... what were the campers going to do? Plant it to see if it would grow?
Why is common sense so uncommon?
Sorry for the diversion... rant over

 

[tiltrider1]

Go straight to the Canada Border Patrol web site. I just checked it a week ago. Store bought potatoes are legal now, home grown not. Many restrictions are now gone. As to the chicken story, if it had been removed from its packaging then it is considered home grown and not allowed, same for beef. Seafood ok.

I’m sitting at BlindBay Resort, getting ready for a German dinner.

 

[dhays]

Last year, we checked the CBP website and used that information to select what food to take. Turns out that when we got to the border and talked with the agent, they were unhappy with some of the items we had. So, I think checking with the website is great, but I wouldn’t count on it.

 

[Lou_tribal]

This all about the saint of bureaucracy. We get most of our fruits and vegetables from Florida, California, mexico and other Latin american countries but if you do the same in your car trunk it is a no no. We import tons of cheese from France but if you have one in your luggage it is a no no. And same for so many things.
I understand the rationale behind controlling vegetable food import as this can introduce some foreign invasive species but when you have food goods coming from equally developed countries... Come on. Do you know anybody that was guilty of introducing a foreign decease because he had a Camembert or some Foie Gras in his luggage? Any death from a guy having a Saucisson in hands?
Anyway things are like they are and nothing will change so the only advise I would give is go to the grocery on the other side of the border. The saved time will worth it.

L

 

[markpierce]

Upon entering Canada, we had to give up apples (all two) and had no firearms to declare.

 

[Lou_tribal]

Upon entering Canada, we had to give up apples (all two) and had no firearms to declare.

Be careful, if you have a brain, either entering Canadian waters or US waters, don't declare it as it may be harmful.
I know I am sarcastic but...

L

 

[twistedtree]

There actually are reason's behind these bans, even though it may seem silly at the time.


A couple of years ago we hit the poultry ban and had to quarantine our eggs. We could cook them and eat them, but could not throw the shells or any parts overboard. This only applied to poultry from a couple of US States, or of unknown origin.


I asked why, politely, and out of curiosity. There had been a recent outbreak of avian flu in those states, and it was a precaution to prevent spread.


The firewood transport ban I am very familiar with, and very much support it. It's to prevent (reduce/slow) the spread of emerald ash borer and woolly adelgid which are invasive species that wipe out trees in a wholesale manner. They are very effectively spread by transporting infected firewood, hence the ban in many states. As an owner of a lot of timber land, I care about this very much. Elm trees are gone, as we all know. So are Butternut. I had huge butternut trees, but they have been on the ground for years now. There might be one dead one still standing waiting to fall over. All my beech trees have beech bark disease and are dying. Hemlocks have been wiped out in western BC, and ash trees are being wiped out in the eastern US. It's in central Mass, and has been found in Vermont where we are. So I expect our ash trees are next.



Usually when we chuckle at these things and make jokes about their lack of common sense, all we are really doing is exposing our ignorance on the topic.

 

[Bacchus]

Twistedtree
I understand and support the fire wood transport ban for the reasons you stated.
What I am missing is the parks solution... confiscate the wood... throw it in a pile... and have a big fire.
I just don't see what that accomplishes vs campers doing the same??? What am I missing?

Sort of the same w chickens.
I understand there can be disease on some of our food but don't understand what the solution accomplished?
What did the agents think the RVers were going to do with the frozen chicken in their freezer that posed a problem?
I guess my logic is the problem.
If either case has a logical explanation having agents share it would go a long way towards building understanding and support for compliance. IMO

 

[ktdtx]

We hit the "Apple Ban" last spring at Bedford heading north. They gave us a choice--leave two apples there or we could take them with us but upon our return to Canada we wold have to produce two apple cores.

 

[JustBob]

We hit the "Apple Ban" last spring at Bedford heading north. They gave us a choice--leave two apples there or we could take them with us but upon our return to Canada we wold have to produce two apple cores.

Well of course I would have done that - the cores. Hysterical.

Sounds like all in all we are in pretty good shape this year.

 

[Alaskan Sea-Duction]

Go straight to the Canada Border Patrol web site. I just checked it a week ago. Store bought potatoes are legal now, home grown not. Many restrictions are now gone. As to the chicken story, if it had been removed from its packaging then it is considered home grown and not allowed, same for beef. Seafood ok.

I’m sitting at BlindBay Resort, getting ready for a German dinner.

I agree! Check the website as it can change daily......

 

[BandB]

Don't forget to check US restrictions for your return.

 

[dhays]

Twistedtree
I understand and support the fire wood transport ban for the reasons you stated.
What I am missing is the parks solution... confiscate the wood... throw it in a pile... and have a big fire.
I just don't see what that accomplishes vs campers doing the same??? What am I missing?

The difference MAY be that the parks department would isolate that firewood so that any invasive species can't spread before the wood is burned. In essence, they would treat is as a hazardous waste. Your camper may toss the wood at the edge of a campsite at the base of a susceptible tree. They may not burn it all and leave it in place "for the next camper" etc... The problem is that once inside, the parks dept has no control over the handling of that potentially contaminated wood until it is finally destroyed by fire.


The PNW has a huge problem with an invasive bark beetle. Drive through WA State and you can see a huge number of treas that are dead and dying.

 

[BandB]

There is sound reason behind each ban. Just because you don't know it, doesn't mean it's not sound.

 

[Moonfish]

Last year the Candian customs guy had a little chuckle when he asked what the planter box was for on the foredeck. Told him my daughter was growing potatoes. When he said we can't bring potatoes in, I said: "that's why we had them for breakfast on the way over"!

 

[Lou_tribal]

There is sound reason behind each ban. Just because you don't know it, doesn't mean it's not sound.

I perfectly understand the care to have when importing goods or woods. However there are certainly more invasive species transfer from boat hull, anchor and containers than from an orange you bought at the nearby supermarket. If they ask you to drop you orange before entering to be sure we are safe, they should as well disinfect the whole boat to ensure no insect or decease is coming in...

L

 

[BandB]

If they ask you to drop you orange before entering to be sure we are safe, they should as well disinfect the whole boat to ensure no insect or decease is coming in...

L

Perhaps they should. In areas of the US, Zebra Mussels are a huge problem and they're transferred from lake to lake by fishermen who trailer their boat. I'm sure those deciding have tried to determine the most significant issues that can be addressed with the least disruption.

Sure led to a huge purchase of eggs and chicken for us in Halifax.

 

[stubones99]

And for some people, the government reserves the right to image your hard drive or any device containing storage memory. I don't know who gets this special treatment or what you have to do to get on this list. Something to be aware of...

 

[ssobol]

You can't ship a lot things internationally using wooden packing crates or pallets anymore. You have to use some other material.

In the finger lakes district of NY if you come from somewhere else you have to get your boat decontaminated before you can launch (e.g. Lake George). The service if free and involves inspection and washing with very hot water (including compartments). The boat is then sealed to the trailer. Launching it will break the seal and may warrant other inspection.

In the west (e.g. Lake Mead) after retrieving your boat, you must dry it before you haul it away. If they see your boat going down the road dripping water, it can be confiscated.

 

[ssobol]

And for some people, the government reserves the right to image your hard drive or any device containing storage memory. I don't know who gets this special treatment or what you have to do to get on this list. Something to be aware of...

It's not some people, the government has the right to view the contents on any electronic device. If you don't cooperate with the search, they can confiscate your device(s) until they can be examined. Allegedly this is to look for pirated material and export controlled stuff.

Going into Canada once, I was asked if the laptop I was carrying was my or my company's. I said it was mine and they let me pass without problems. I wonder what would have happened if had I said it belonged to my company.

 

[GFC]

When we travel by boat I frequently will break a dozen eggs into a bowl, stir them with a whisk until well blended, then ladle them into zip lock bags, then store them flat in the freezer. Each baggie holds about 3 eggs, perfect for an omelet. I take them out a day ahead of time and put them in the refrig so we'll have eggs for tomorrow's omelet.


I wonder if frozen eggs are allowed into Canada. I couldn't find anything in the regs that prohibited or allowed them in.

 

[Bacchus]

You can't ship a lot things internationally using wooden packing crates or pallets anymore. You have to use some other material.

In the finger lakes district of NY if you come from somewhere else you have to get your boat decontaminated before you can launch (e.g. Lake George). The service if free and involves inspection and washing with very hot water (including compartments). The boat is then sealed to the trailer. Launching it will break the seal and may warrant other inspection.

In the west (e.g. Lake Mead) after retrieving your boat, you must dry it before you haul it away. If they see your boat going down the road dripping water, it can be confiscated.

Not sure where in the Finger Lakes you are referring to...
On Seneca Lk the marina we have used for 25 yrs used to pressure wash hulls but was prohibited by DEC unless they collected all water and disposed of it as haz waste.
Also none of the state launches (roughly 8 +\-) on Seneca or Cayuga check or offer cleaning. Anyone can launch any time.

 

[ctjstr]

There is sound reason behind each ban. Just because you don't know it, doesn't mean it's not sound.

weellllll maybe. I'm still waiting for a reason why US customs came on board in Friday Harbor and decided to take a tree off the counter....It was a plastic palm tree about 2 ft tall.

 

[Opu]

weellllll maybe. I'm still waiting for a reason why US customs came on board in Friday Harbor and decided to take a tree off the counter....It was a plastic palm tree about 2 ft tall.

Clearly you are not aware of the Miniature Plastic Palm Tree Virus. If your tree was contaminated, it could have infected and ruined the entire industry!

 

[ctjstr]

Clearly you are not aware of the Miniature Plastic Palm Tree Virus. If your tree was contaminated, it could have infected and ruined the entire industry!

damn.....caught me

 

[Oldersalt]

We checked into Canada by phone at Bedwell Harbor from Friday Harbor WA about 10 days ago. My wife made a list of all the fresh fruits and veggies, liquor, wine, etc. The guy in Toronto at the other end of the phone line only had one questions...."Any firearms on board?" But of course we were ready to declare everything. One important point...an OPEN bottle of liquor or wine is presumed to be "ship's stores" and is not subject to duty. Just sayin...

 

[Alaskan Sea-Duction]

We checked into Canada by phone at Bedwell Harbor from Friday Harbor WA about 10 days ago. My wife made a list of all the fresh fruits and veggies, liquor, wine, etc. The guy in Toronto at the other end of the phone line only had one questions...."Any firearms on board?" But of course we were ready to declare everything. One important point...an OPEN bottle of liquor or wine is presumed to be "ship's stores" and is not subject to duty. Just sayin...

Claim ALL liguor as "Ship Stores and Private Use" and no duty will be required.

 

[ghost]

Ship stores and open bottle is a reg you will have a hard time identifying. Near as I can tell, just something people took our of context and passed around until group think was enough to convince each other. Never been able to actually define it anywhere. You will have a less hard time finding a customs agent who both disagrees and happy to challenge you to find such a rule.

I got hassled a few years back at Bedwell for open bottles and a couple partials over the limit. They searched the boat for two hours and finally let me go without an infraction, but was not worth the trouble. Don’t think it’s wha they were after, but they were happy to threaten heaven and earth over it to see if I suddenly caved to a cache of contraband somewhere else on the boat. Nope, just me and a dog on a 50 foot boat, traveling alone. Good new is I don’t need to have another rectal exam for 3 years <joke>

 

[dhays]

We make it a habit of listing all produce and any uncooked meat or dairy in addition to a very accurate count of all alcohol on board. I list it as “7 cans/bottles of beer, ~300ml whiskey, 450ml rum etc... in open containers”

When they ask, I give them very specific amounts. The only thing I have been questioned on is some produce. So far, the Canadians haven’t searched me.

Put it this way, the Canadians are much friendlier towards me as a foreigner entering Canada than the US Customs folks are as a resident returning home.