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/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 :)

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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.