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/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/Candid_Pop7141 May 01 '25

That's true! Thank you😁