scrubbedexpat091

Its been a decade since I have arrived into Canada by airline or commercial means.

What are the questions are on the form? I cant recall what they ask.


When crossing by land do you declare everything upfront or wait until asked?

Beaverstate

I was driving from Oregon to California yesterday and as approaching the border where they ask if you have any fruit to declare, the long haired, scruffy officer looked at me, no questions, and said have a safe trip. I think I was sterotyped

Simon Legree

Pretty much the same every time I cross the AZ/CA state line, which is frequently. Seldom do they express any interest. I think the last time I was questioned was three years ago !

Former Lancastrian

The declaration card questions can be found on this link
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publicati...s/e311-eng.pdf

For those driving across especially from the USA they will ask specific questions and depending which state they will vary. Recently poultry and eggs was a big one due to Asian Influenza in certain states.

Restriction on imports of live birds, bird products and by-products from US states affected by Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza - Animals - Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Some products are restricted to the dollar amount or weight you can bring in for personal use such as dairy products and meat.
Dairy products (e.g.: cheese, milk, yogurt, butter)

up to 20 kilograms per person
Please note that quantities in excess of $20.00 may be subject to high rates of duty. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is responsible for determining customs and duties for items coming into Canada.

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

caretaker

When I went through US Customs at Dallas/Ft Worth airport coming from Mexico City I carried a paper sack of limes to go with the mescal and tequila in my duffel bag. They just happened to have an agronomist on duty who took a look in the bag and said, "Oh, those are ok, those are the small sour limes for drinks, this week we're only stopping the larger sweet limes." Next day in Vancouver the customs men are amazed at my audacity (everyone knows citrus is taboo), and a supervisor comes over.... "If a US Customs agronomist said those were admissable in Texas yesterday let them through." If that specialist had not been on duty at the aduena I came through in DFW the limes wouldn't have gone any further, so something they allow today may not get through tomorrow, and vice-versa.

BristolUK

Was he really scruffy or are you stereotyping?

Pizzawheel

I think the question does ask for any food. As FL says, onions and peas are vegetables and the pickling/processing/canning is irrelevant.

On the plus side we've also established that as Monnie Munch is a vegetable, it counts towards your one a day, so all good!!!

bats

He? Are you stereotyping?

BristolUK

Good point.

Although length of hair would likely not be mentioned if it was an officeress.

AlliF

I'm always astounded when watching programs like Border Security (especially Australian version) at how much food people seem to try and smuggle in! Entire suitcases packed with food.
You do know you can buy food in other countries right?

And they feign innocence but in Australia you cannot escape the huge warning signs about declaring food (declare or beware, if memory serves) at increasing intervals the closer you get to the customs officers.
Do you have food? Dispose of it here.
Are you sure you don't have any food? Declare it or we are going to give you a big fine.
Now are you really sure? If you have we lied, we are going to put you in jail.
Really sure? - we may bring back hanging just for you..

"But I really needed these disgusting looking rotten fish officer so I didn't think the rules applied to me (even though I have made multiple trips in and out of the country and actually live here)"

To be fair though I did once find a Werther's original in my pocket as I left the airport that I hadn't realised was still there so I suppose I was just lucky to get away with it.

scrubbedexpat091

The Canadian version and all the flights from China and meat they seem to find. Not sure I would want to eat any meat product wrapped in plastic bags after a long flight like that.

I do feel bad sometimes for people on the show when they dont seem to understand English or French and just seem confused but maybe they are faking.

I had an apple going into the US the other day, forgot about it but did tell the guy in the booth but he didnt care but mayne apples are allowed.

In general when bringing food back across they have only asked about booze, and always accept a generic groceries as an answer. But we only bring back cereal and other dry goods and cheese but I make sure to stay under the dairy limit.

When I went to Australia in 2001, I declared a chocolate bar I didnt eat on the flight, the lady who was processing gave a laugh and said thats not food...lol.. Better safe then sorry.

paw339

I travel into Canada (flying) regularly and every time I always tick the box that I have food which might just be a bar of candy but sometimes lots of UK goodies. It's never caused a problem or added more than 1 minute to my questioning (Q what have you got?) by the IO. As FL states just declare it; its no hassle and you won't get a fine.

Pizzawheel

I got searched at Heathrow once when returning for Nigeria, the bored looking officer was hardly looking in my bag making me think a quota system had been implemented after a compliant. Thing is, it's not the expats that bring suitcases full of landsnails and rotten fish (stock fish) back.

dave_j

FL is offering the correct advice and as an aside it always pays to be pleasant and polite.
So often however this isn't reciprocated and it doesn't matter which country you fly into, you'll always find the sour faced official who never returns a smile.
I have to say that I've found the chinese to be worst in this respect and on the whole I've found canadians to be ok which begs the question: if so many CBSA officers find it easy to be pleasant, why do the others find it necessary to be otherwise?

scrubbedexpat091

Can only compare US and Canada but I find vast majority of CBSA I encounter to be less then pleasent where more times then not the US folks are fairly polite and even tell jokes.....

This is at land crossings in BC/WA.

Worst CBSA experience ever was in ON crossing from NY. The guy was a complete arse. Should have known considering his lane was moving at a glacial speed vs others.

I always dread coming back into Canada, its rarely a pleasent experiece.

Worst experience ever was Jamaica, I was accused of trying to illegaly move there...Will never go back there.

Best experience Australia. The lady when entering was friendly, polite and had a sense of humor.

Mexico has never been too bad, they really appreciate if you try to say some words in Spanish even if its just hello. Effort to speak the local language seems language seems to really change the experience when entering Mexico.

No other countries to compare as I have not been anywhere else internationally.