FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - US/Canadian Border: Bring Cooked Meat/Fish Across
Old Jul 31, 2011, 8:41 pm
  #12  
ESpen36
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The bottom line is: ALWAYS DECLARE ANYTHING that could be consumed as food! Yes, even a package of chips or a candy bar that you bought at the airport!* As long as you declare fully, the worst thing that could happen is that the officers will confiscate prohibited food items.

However, if you do not declare, and then are found to be carrying prohibited items, you could be looking at HUGE fines. And potential flags in your record that could result in physical searches during all subsequent entries to the country for a period of time.


(The above applies to the USA. The linked thread about the $300 apple would seem to suggest that Canada is even more strict--that even if you declare, you could be fined for transporting prohibited foodstuffs. I've also heard that Australia and New Zealand are extremely, extremely strict about agricultural products, and will levy very heavy fines.)


*Note that GlobalEntry members using the kiosks are exempt from declaring items that normally are allowed entry (chocolates, candies, baked goods, cured hard cheeses, etc). Instead, GE members must follow the (more specific) guidelines on the kiosk declaration screen for declaring the types of food that are likely to be restricted/prohibited. It is a GREAT benefit for GE members!
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