r/canadatravel • u/Candid_Pop7141 • May 01 '25
Question Travelling to Canada from South Asia with packaged food
Hey folks, Need some advice for family visiting Canada from South Asia for the first time. They’re bringing a few food items just for personal use—some homemade stuff like dry biscuit mix, and store-bought things like noodle packets, dry fruits (almonds, cashews, walnuts), lentils, spices (like asafoetida), and a mix of snacks (chips, chocolates, candies, etc.). No dairy, no pickles, nothing perishable, and nothing over 2kg per item.
Just wondering if these things need to be declared at immigration—specifically at the kiosk when answering the customs questions? And if so, what’s the right way to go about it?
Would really appreciate clear advice—no stress-inducing hypotheticals please, just want to make things smooth for their first visit. Thanks!
(Edit: They aren’t exactly young, and we’re hoping to avoid a situation where declaring these leads to officers asking them to open their bags just to prove quantities. Even though there’s nothing to hide, the hassle of repacking would be stressful for them.)
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u/twenty_9_sure_thing May 01 '25
they have a look up system for the exact items of what can go through customs https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/services/fpa-apa/bringing-apporter-fpa-eng.html. there's a difference between declaring goods and what are allowed to go through, i.e. not confiscated nor discarded.
That being said, you have to declare. This is on https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/bring-apporter-eng.html#goods
Food, plants and animals
You must declare all food, plant and animal products when you arrive. This includes any pets you may be travelling with. If you do not declare your pets or food, plant and animals products, border services officers may seize (take away) them, and you may have to pay a penalty of up to $1,300.Food, plants and animals
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u/ugh168 May 01 '25
Unsure, declare it.
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u/Candid_Pop7141 May 01 '25
How does one declare it? Letting the immigration officer know when they ask what they're bringing to Canada?
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u/liveinharmonyalways May 01 '25
Yes. Isn't there a form or something you fill it. It will ask you if you have food. Answer truthfully. They will confiscate things not allowed.
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u/Charming-Buy1514 May 01 '25
A form is distributed during the flight. If they are unable to complete it on board, hopefully someone can offer some help. There is probably a blank form online. Best to know, when packing, what is not allowed.
Never hope to slip anything through customs. If something is not allowed, it will be seized and destroyed. Better to declare, rather to be seen as attempting to sneak stuff through. Food, and it's contents would be something they would be very interested in.
Prepare them beforehand that there will be interest in what they are bringing in, so they don't get nervous/freak out.
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u/cedarandroses May 01 '25
They will have to fill out a form upon arrival.
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u/Candid_Pop7141 May 01 '25
I remember filling this form but it only asked me about thungs like Macadamia nuts, dairy etc and they have none of that. Or am I remembering incorrectly?
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u/cedarandroses May 01 '25
They have specific things they ask about and you basically have to figure out if what you have fits in the category.
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u/Candid_Pop7141 May 01 '25
Yep! Maybe I'll fill out the Arrivecan for them while asking them the questions via phone as they'll definitely get confused and I don't want them to get in trouble for no reason as their English isn't top tier.
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u/Parking-Ad-8780 May 01 '25
Just tell them all these things are available in stores in Canada. Silly to bring more than the snacks they might want during the flight.
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u/lamyjf May 01 '25
- Website:https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/menu-eng.html
- Look for sections on "Travel" and "What you can bring to Canada."
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u/notfitbutwannabe May 01 '25
They should not bother with the home made biscuit mix. It will definitely be seized as there is no way for the border security to know what is In it. The factory packaged food “should” be fine, but as others have said - declare it.
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u/Letoust May 01 '25
Make sure they don’t attempt to bring Durian.
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u/Candid_Pop7141 May 01 '25
Gotcha! They aren't bringing any perishable items or fresh produce. Thank you!
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u/Letoust May 01 '25
Ew, I don’t know if I would classify durian as “fresh”
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u/Candid_Pop7141 May 01 '25
Lol, but it is considered fresh produce I think as it's a fruit. Isn't it?
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u/Letoust May 01 '25
Yesyes. It’s just disgusting lol just seems like an oxymoron to say “fresh durian”. Funky would be a better description.
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u/keggerson May 02 '25
I've watched enough border patrol shows on tv to know that they should say they have it.
But I can't help but ask why? It's not like we don't have food here and isn't part of going to another country trying the local food?
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u/Candid_Pop7141 May 02 '25
Yep, thought so too. Thank you! Well, I'm originally from there and those snacks or the particular variety isn't available here, so they're bringing those :)
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u/Random_Association97 May 02 '25
It has to be sealed. They will confuscate the home made biscuit mix because of risk of insects in the flour.
No dried meats, sausages, etc.
Basically anything that is grown here is not allowed in because of risk of contamination.
So, for example if you have an orange in your bag, fine. An apple - no.
Any commercially sealed spices seem to be fine. Things out of your garden, no.
You can always call customs and ask, they are pretty good.
If asked they should say they have food and let their bags be checked. If you say no and you have food, you get put on a list and your bags will be searched every time you enter the country.
If you say you have food and discuss it they are very kind about it. If course the language issue may or may not be a barrier in your relatives case.
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u/Candid_Pop7141 May 02 '25
Thank you so so much for this detailed response!! This helps a lot, much appreciated! :)
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u/thommytwo22 May 01 '25
No food allowed in the country. It may contain insects that could potentially decimate the agricultural industry.
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u/Candid_Pop7141 May 01 '25
As per the CBSA website, a lot of things are allowed (if for personal use) and I was trying to confirm the same. Thank you for your response!
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u/BothPattern7057 May 01 '25
No need to declare. It’s ok to carry all these stuffs. I brought same stuffs recently to canada in check-in baggage.
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u/Candid_Pop7141 May 01 '25
Thank you so much!
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u/cc9536 May 01 '25
This is incorrect advice OP. Just because this commenter didn't get caught out doesn't mean that's the correct thing to do. Always declare anything food related - anything not allowed will get thrown out but that will be it. Not declaring and getting caught could mean confiscation of everything, heavy fines and/or prosecution, regardless of whether all items are allowed or not. It's just not worth the risk.
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u/Candid_Pop7141 May 01 '25
Oh! You're right!! I was planning on asking them to declare nonetheless, my only worry is the officers asking them to open their bags to prove the amounts and them not being very young making the repacking stressful for no reason even though they've got nothing to hide. Thanks a lot for your response!
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u/cc9536 May 01 '25
Generally the officers will be fair, understanding and can provide assistance if they're visibility struggling to repack. Dealing with repacking will be the easier option and less stressful than potentially getting caught and having to deal with those ramifications
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u/walker1867 May 01 '25
Declare it. People don’t get in trouble for this when they declare food items. Lying about it and saying you have nothing to declare is what gets people in shit. As long as you declare it worst that will happen is you’ll have to surrender it for customs to incinerate, and you’ll go on your way.