If you are an avid Canadian angler you’ll remember a few years back when dumpsters full of potatoes – including a bag of yours – littered the Canadian border. An international “tit-for-tat” between two friendly countries left fisherman feeling like the Canadian Government just ripped 10 bucks from their wallet.
What suddenly made our potatoes unworthy? It was actually retaliation for the U.S. restricting Canadian beef imports over a mad cow scare. Canada’s answer was of all things potatoes, thus alienating thousands of tourists who were more interested in dicing those potatoes and frying them in oil on the shores of a Canadian lake.
That in a microcosm explains the strange border crossing rules between our two, otherwise, great countries. So travelers are left with a myriad of policies that are more about tax revenue, protecting special interests and retaliation than what’s best for their residents. About all this accomplishes is fostering a feeling of not feeling welcome. And, it’s not just the Canadian government…for example,the U.S. restricts virtually all fruit entering the country even if it was purchased in the U.S. and it is returning with you.
The good news is U.S. POTATOES are now welcome in Canada again! Provided they are #1 grade and still in the commercial bag – whew!
Actually, crossing the Canadian border is a very simple process and well worth the effort to experience true wilderness and world-class fisheries. With that in mind, here are the basics of prohibited and restricted items entering Canada, see links below for a complete list.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on crossing the Canadian border.
Duty Free limits (you can exceed these limits, but they will be subject to tax and duty)
{C}· Alcohol – One case of beer, or 1.5 liters of wine, or 40 oz of liquor
{C}· Tobacco – 10 packs of cigarettes, or 50 cigars
For a complete list visit Canada Border Crossing http://www.beaware.gc.ca/english/brirape.shtml
Prohibited items
{C}· Live bait fish of any kind including minnows and leeches (minnows and leeches are reasonably priced in Canada)
{C}· Nightcrawlers in dirt – you can take them in artificial bedding
{C}· Dog food with meat byproducts
{C}· Firewood
{C}· Radar Detectors
This is the third part of a three part blog on Crossing the Canadian Border. Read part I and II:
Part I, Tips on Breezing Across the Border http://www.fishingclub.com/my-nafc/community-blogs/articletype/articleview/articleid/3450/categoryid/1097/crossing-the-canadian-border
Part II – Who can’t enter Canada. http://www.fishingclub.com/my-nafc/community-blogs/articletype/articleview/articleid/3471/categoryid/1097/crossing-the-line
For more information visit these websites:
Canada Welcomes You – answers to all your questions, www.canadawelcomesyou.net
Border Wait Times – real time information, www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/bwt-taf/menu-eng.html
U.S. State Department – Passport requirements – http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html
Canada Border Crossing services - http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/noncan-eng.html
Joel Prunty is the president of Fishulo,llc and is passionate about using his expertise in Canadian wilderness travel to assist anglers and hunters in planning adventures. Over a 20 year association with a Canadian fishing and hunting sportshow producer, Joel visited over 300 of Canada’s BEST lodges, resorts and outfitters. He currently sits on the Marketing Advisory Council for Tourism Saskatchewan and was previously named the Northern Ontario Tourist Outfitters Association‘s (NOTO) member-of-the-year.