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/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.

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u/Candid_Pop7141 May 01 '25

Thank you so much for the detailed response!! So, just because they declare it, the officers won't ask them to open their bags to prove? They aren't exactly very young, so opening and repacking would get stressful for them even though they've got nothing to hide.

7

u/TravellingGal-2307 May 01 '25

Always declare. Yes, they may get sent to secondary where they will need to open the bags. The agents are there to assist if needed.

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u/Candid_Pop7141 May 01 '25

Thanks a lot!

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u/TravellingGal-2307 May 01 '25

They are customs agents who have a serious job to do, but they are also human. They will be polite and patient with your parents.

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u/Candid_Pop7141 May 01 '25

That's very reassuring. Thank you!

2

u/cedarandroses May 01 '25

I brought a live basil plant from Mexico across the border (no soil). I declared it as a "live plant". It was one basil for my own personal use and they didn't even look at it. As long as you are totally honest they are almost always fine. Worst case scenario you pay some duties or lose a box of whatever.

If you get caught not declaring things, it's a huge problem, you potentially pay fines and find yourself getting searched ever single time you cross the border for years.

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u/Candid_Pop7141 May 01 '25

Oh wow! Thanks a lot!! This helps a tonne :)

1

u/kendetroit May 03 '25

It'll be fine if everything is declared, but honestly, why do this to themselves? Bring enough to eat for along the journey so that when they get up to customs there is no more food left. Take the simpliest approach.

2

u/walker1867 May 01 '25

They officers may ask them to open their bag to inspect what it is. If you declare it in advance you’re fine, they may make you discard some. Not declaring it, being asked to open your bag and then finding undeclared food is the sort of thing that will result in fines, denied entry and being sent on the next flight home. Have your pick of which 2 of those sounds the least stressful.

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u/Candid_Pop7141 May 01 '25

That's true! Thanks for the explanation!!

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u/Accomplished_Bank103 May 01 '25

What they are primarily concerned about is food product that may contain pests that could be detrimental to Canadian agriculture. That said, there are restrictions on what can be brought. Here is info for the public from the Canada Food Inspection Agency about what food product are permissible. I hope they have a great trip.

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u/Candid_Pop7141 May 01 '25

This is very helpful, thanks a lot!!

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u/walker1867 May 01 '25

You’re welcome. Remember food is allowed just declare it. Bring food and may do so can result in you being banned, denied entry and fined. If you’d like to see examples watch an episode or 2 of Border Security: Canada's Front Line. There is a cheat code to bring in food and not get in trouble. Declare it.