Importing cheese
 

Thinking of bringing some cheese to Canada - do you think it would be a hassle with customs?

I mean, if CBSA are going to run riot through all my well packed luggage because I tell them I have cheese (and tea) I won't bother importing.

Thoughts/experience?

Re: Importing cheese
 

Never done it but Some here

Re: Importing cheese
 

You are allowed to bring a small amount of hard cheese in...what sort of quantity are you thinking?

Re: Importing cheese
 

YVR has or had dogs that sniff out food stuffs in people's luggage.

Re: Importing cheese
 

http://www.inspection.gc.ca/food/inf...can-i-bring-in


Dairy Products (eg, 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 CBSA is responsible for determining customs and duties for items coming into Canada.

My emphasis

Re: Importing cheese
 

We do act on behalf of CFIA who are responsible for the legislation regarding the importation of cheese regulations.
Will you get a CBSA officer who has his cheese police hat on the day you return who knows. If its the runny cheese variety possibly hard cheese not as much. It will depend on the quantity and if the traveller has declared it or not.
You might also get the CBSA officer who is pissed at not having a contract for over 3.5 yrs who may decide **** it Im gonna nail his ass to the wall or **** it have a nice day nothing to see here folks.
The excess duty rates are very high as many years ago I had my cheese police hat on and lets just say the traveller thought the Mafia charged less on interest rates on a loan taken from them.

Re: Importing cheese
 

Why? Where do you live that you can't find decent cheese? I know it used to be a major hassle to find it but now the only problem is the price.

Re: Importing cheese
 

Hmm

Maybe not worth it. I was just thinking of the variety and yes price...

But I don't want to meet a cheese angry man at the border :lol:

Hmm - hard cheeses if I want to bring in a small quantity. That is helpful. I wasn't going to import 20kg :lol:

Re: Importing cheese
 

I always bring back a couple of kilos of strong cheddar whenever I'm returning from the UK, declare it on the form, get bounced to a desk, tell the officer I'm bringing in 2 kilos of hard cheddar, never had a problem yet.

But as has been explained before it does depend on the officer's mood, which so far, in 40 years of international travel, I've yet to meet an unpleasant customs officer. (I am a very polite, smiley person, especially with people who can give me a cavity search). :o

Re: Importing cheese
 

It sounds as if you want one :rofl:

Re: Importing cheese
 

Re: Importing cheese
 

I've just got back from a trip to the home country. I may or may not have gone to Fortnum and Mason and may or may not have bought about 1kg of cheese which may or may not have returned with me in my luggage. Fortunately I do not appear to profile as a cheese smuggler....

Re: Importing cheese
 

lucky thing!

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Did you get the truffled Stilton in the jar? And we're you at St Pancras looking to unload some dosh?

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Nope, not much of a fan of blue cheese. However I did buy both Caerphilly and Cheshire made with raw milk. It's like turbo charged cheesee....

Re: Importing cheese
 

I am in America this week. I fear I shall be too fat to return by aeroplane due to the spectacular choice of cheese here. I suppose, like wine, the duty is huge but the price difference sufficient to make it worth paying.

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I’m in London this week. (Well Henley on Thames last couple of days) and had a cheese plate at my favourite boozer on Monday. 6 quid!

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That's how I felt when I considered importing it. Please import it guys, or you will regret it :)

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Have you seen any guns?

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No. Should I have expected to?

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I used to live in a shared house in Henley. I remember getting up one morning and finding a SPAS-12 leaning against the bottom of the stairs, because someone had friends over. Not quite sure what they planned to do with it.

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I wouldn't expect that you would. I didn't either.

Re: Importing cheese
 

I was thinking the other night how things have changed.

We went back to the UK for a holiday in 1972. The plane left Toronto but then had to land in Montreal because a baggage compartment had not apparently locked properly. We were delayed several hours, but eventually took off for Manchester.

As we flew over Morecambe Bay, the lady in the row behind announced loudly that she had a lovely ham and a round of cheese in the locker above that she could drop off to feed the fishes "down there". :rofl:


How many people now take food BACK to the UK ........... other than the mandatory bottle of maple syrup or vacuum packed salmon?

Re: Importing cheese
 

I once took peameal bacon to Paris so as to construct the perfect bacon sandwich. It was before one could buy quality baguettes here. Late 90s, I think, maybe early this century.