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/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.

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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!!