Hello All,

This will be the first time my group is driving into Canada instead of paddling across the boarder.

I wanted to know if there is any special way I should pack gear for the officers to go through? If I wrap up frozen goods in newspaper are they going to want to open them? How many of you have had to rip your packs apart for the agents? Is there anything I am missing goofy I am missing like fuel can only be transfered over in its original container? (made that up)

Thanks for the help
Alex

It doesn't matter how you pack. They will either search your car or not. First they don't ask YOU to open your packs. They tell you to stand at a certain place and then THEY will search your stuff. You get to put it all back together.

Now there is some website for current "contraband", but I'm not sure where that is. However, here are some guidelines.
Be polite
Be honest.
Don't be funny.
You can bring in 200 cigarettes, or 50 cigars
You can bring in 1.1 liters of wine or liquor,or 24 12-ounce bottles of beer [21 or over]
You must declare any plants, bulbs, and seeds. They may or may not take them from you.
Usually fruits and vegetables are allowed in for personal consumption. However, one year potatoes weren't allowed in. Beef was not allowed in for awhile but I think it is now. Again, for personal consumption.
Radar detectors are illegal.
Don't bring in weapons. This includes mace. Bear spray must be labeled as such.
You have to have proof of car insurance and a card from your agent stating it is good in Canada. I think the minimum is $200,000 in liability.
Remember that speed limits are in kilometers per hour not miles per hour.

there's more, but I'll let others add to it.

Never been searched! Ever!

Searched once 20 years ago. They looked in places on my car I did not know existed. During the questioning my wife (then girlfriend)asked "Is that all?" Well that was all it took.
canoe42

I was searched once about 7 or 8 years ago. As stated before it doesn't matter how you pack your stuff the "friendly" customs agent will tear your packs apart and leave you to put everything back together. I was told to stand in one place and at one point during the search the female agent was struggling with a pack and I reached out to help she yelled at me and told me to stay in place and then promptly threw my pack on the ground. Once the search was complete and it looked like a missile hit my car and scattered camping gear all about the area the customs agent said, "you can go" and walked away. I had to repack all of my gear once we reached camp. Now if you would have asked me at that time how I felt I would have had a few choice words about the customs agents, but now I can tell you I am glad for the job they do. I do think they could be just a little nicer.

As far as I know fresh potatoes carrots and onions (as well as any other raw root crop) cannot be taken across the border without special permission. If they are frozen or dried they are fine. Some meat is also regulated. The information available online is limited, but you can contact the CBSA for more information their website is here: CBSA Website

I hope that helps and most likely you won't have any problems. I have been up many times and that is the only time I was searched.

It also depends if you have a "search me" face. Apparently I do. At airports, border crossings, check points, whatever. I'm that guy. I'm the last guy you want in a car if you've got contraband. For a small fee I'll stay one car ahead of you. They're sure to pull me aside and you can sneak thru while I get the ol'latex glove routine. :)

Sounds like it's the luck of the draw. I have crossed the border many times and have never been searched. I must have a trustworthy face. (sorry, Maddog.) Two things I always do: I remove my sunglasses so the customs agent can look into my eyes. I roll down all the windows in the vehicle so I do not appear to be hiding anything. I don't know if this really helps, but I've been lucky so far.

Even though Maddog has been searched I think the Mounties have better things to do besides searching food packs.

went through the search routine at international falls 7 years ago. 4 guys in a suburban absolutely filled to the brim. 3 agents went through our gear like a hurricane had struck while a 4th stood off to the side to keep an eye on us-he clearly was also getting agitated at the mess they were making. they mixed our personal gear together and threw stuff out on the ground. when it was evident that the three searching the suburban had struck out, they became even more antagonistic-said if i made one more complaint they would start taking the car apart. when i asked the senior guy what could have prompted all this, he said that they thought we were lying when we didn't declare any alcohol or tobacco, and wanted to make an example of us. he said, next time, to declare some alcohol and tobacco even if we didn't have any. we moved the suburban off to the side, and spent almost an hour to settle down and repack.

Thanks for everyones thoughts. IF we are leaving out of Ely and going up to beaverhouse where do we even cross over?

Thanks
Al

UpNorth8,
If you are going by car you will cross at International Falls. When you go by car or van, you are just another tourist to the Canadian Offials....when you cross at Sand Point you are canoeing.
From one of the trip reports I have read you can take a tow out of Crane Lake, go through customs at Sand Point, then be picked up and trucked to Beaverhouse....if you fly....Sand Point.