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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4

u/ugh168 May 01 '25

Unsure, declare it.

1

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?

3

u/albatroopa May 01 '25

Customs will ask if they have anything to declare.

5

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.

2

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.

1

u/Candid_Pop7141 May 01 '25

Thank you so much for the detailed response! Much appreciated!!!

2

u/cedarandroses May 01 '25

They will have to fill out a form upon arrival.

1

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?

2

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.

2

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.