Can anyone tell me absolutely whether I can bring dehydrated meat, or any other foods, across the border legally? If so, is there any foods that are not allowed that I may have packed for Quetico trip?

As of last fall, the only prohibited food I know of is fresh produce. We were asked if we had any going in, and coming out.

I know whole potatoes are prohibited.

quote kanoes: "I know whole potatoes are prohibited."

Not any more. They're okay as long as they are commercially packaged, purchased at the grocery. Garden vegetables, with your own soil possibly attached, not allowed.

used to be you couldn't bring beanie babies back into the U.S.

We had no problems last year when we went thru there.

I have crossed at Intl Falls/Ft Francis for 30 years.

Never been asked once about dehydrated food or jerky.

They always ask about vegetables, liquor and fresh meat (wild game). Kanoes is correct - store bought items are legal. Fresh items form the garden are not. Same goes for eggs - commercial bought only.

Old Hoosier

It took us longer to come back thru to the U.S. over north of Grand Marias then at going into Canada at IF.

In all the times crossing into Canada at Pigeon River north of Grand Marais over the past 12 years all I recall is the same questions about liquor, tobacco, firearms, more than $10k in cash and whether we are bringing anything into Canada which we will be leaving there.

I have crossed into Canada every year for the past 35 years and every year I am asked about possession of alcohol, firearms, and tobacco and any live bait.

I have never been asked about dehydrated meat or foods but they do most often ask whether you have any fresh produce especially root crops like potatoes which is strictly prohibited.

I do know several buddies that do fly-in fishing trips that bring tomatoes grown in their gardens to Canadian camp owners. I am not sure if that is illegal or maybe that border patrol allows it or my buds are never asked.i

quote OldFingers57: "It took us longer to come back thru to the U.S. over north of Grand Marias then at going into Canada at IF."

I've generally breezed through Customs at Grand Portage/Pigeon River and International Falls in a matter of minutes, both U.S. and Canadian.

The only exception was when we returned through International Falls after a 8-day Quetico Canoe trip in June of 1984. We had entered through Grand Portage/Pigeon River on the way to Quetico, but we returned through International Falls on our way home.

It was my wife and I, and another couple approximately the same age. We were all about 27-years of age and we driving the 1979 Chevy van pictured below with two Kevlar Sawyer Cruisers strapped to the top. (BTW, I still own the Van.)

Looking scruffy after our eight-day Quetico trip, being young, and crossing the border in the "Mystery Machine", evoked a rather extensive search of our vehicle. The search included mirrors under the van frame and digging through our wet, smelly Duluth Packs.

We had no concerns, because we had nothing to hide. But we were detained inside the U.S. Customs Office while they performed their inspection. Other than spending more time at Customs than we planned on, it was no big deal.

Hans Solo

quote HansSolo: "Looking scruffy after our eight-day Quetico trip, being young, and crossing the border in the "Mystery Machine", evoked a rather extensive search of our vehicle. The search included mirrors under the van frame and digging through our wet, smelly Duluth Packs. "

Sounds to me like you were "profiled." And rightfully so.

:-) :-) :-)

LMAO!

Good one Andy!

I guess the passing of 30-years hasn't changed the scruffy, but now I'm older, somewhat more gray, and I cross the border in a Toyota. :-)

Hans Solo

quote HansSolo: "

quote OldFingers57: "It took us longer to come back thru to the U.S. over north of Grand Marias then at going into Canada at IF."

I've generally breezed through Customs at Grand Portage/Pigeon River and International Falls in a matter of minutes, both U.S. and Canadian.

The only exception was when we returned through International Falls after a 8-day Quetico Canoe trip in June of 1984. We had entered through Grand Portage/Pigeon River on the way to Quetico, but we returned through International Falls on our way home.

It was my wife and I, and another couple approximately the same age. We were all about 27-years of age and we driving the 1979 Chevy van pictured below with two Kevlar Sawyer Cruisers strapped to the top. (BTW, I still own the Van.)

Looking scruffy after our eight-day Quetico trip, being young, and crossing the border in the "Mystery Machine", evoked a rather extensive search of our vehicle. The search included mirrors under the van frame and digging through our wet, smelly Duluth Packs.

We had no concerns, because we had nothing to hide. But we were detained inside the U.S. Customs Office while they performed their inspection. Other than spending more time at Customs than we planned on, it was no big deal.

Hans Solo


"

They gotta watch out for you young free spirited hippies.

Thanks for the correct info on potatoes. I thought ALL (raw) were taboo. (I really like a first night potato/onion/meat skillet.) --Goose

Just fill the truckbed up with rice,beans,masa,tomatoes,lettuce,carrots, and a few chickens. Smile,wave, and say Essayyyy, Essayy....as you breeze thru......'OPE..sorry. Wrong border. :) just kidding. Couldn't resist. OTH

We usually fly in, but are going to drive and portage this year to save money.

What's the official word on booze? We usually bring a liter per man and a carton per smoker (for those who do...).

Any specifics on alcohol/tobacco allowances?

Thanks

quote TeamTuna06: "We usually fly in, but are going to drive and portage this year to save money.


What's the official word on booze? We usually bring a liter per man and a carton per smoker (for those who do...).


Any specifics on alcohol/tobacco allowances?


Thanks"

You better check the Canadian Border Services Agency website as they are very strict about this. I guess they don't want to lose out on tax revenues. In my experience they always ask how much alcohol/tobacco you bringing in and how long your will be.

quote TeamTuna06: "We usually fly in, but are going to drive and portage this year to save money.

What's the official word on booze? We usually bring a liter per man and a carton per smoker (for those who do...).

Any specifics on alcohol/tobacco allowances?

Thanks"

If you are of legal drinking age, (the drinking age in Canada is either 18 or 19 depending on the province), you are allowed to bring in, free of duty and taxes, either 1.5 litres of wine, or 1.14 litres (40 ounces) of liquor, or 24 x 355 millilitres (12 ounces) cans or bottles (8.5 litres) of beer or ale.

(The preceding was copied from the URL below)

How Much Liquor Can I Bring To Canada?

f you are a a visitor to Canada, you are allowed to bring a limited amount of tobacco and tobacco products (cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, tobacco sticks, tobacco) into the country without having to pay duty or taxes as long as the tobacco accompanies you.

As far as tobacco products, you're allowed the following: (The information below is per canadaonline.about.com)

200 cigarettes
50 cigars or cigarillos
200 grams (7 ounces) of manufactured tobacco, and
200 tobacco sticks.

Customs Regulations for Visitors Bringing Tobacco Into Canada

Hope this helps!

Hans Solo

One thing to note, make sure you know HOW MUCH EXACTLY of any liquor or tobacco you have with you. I had an open package of the "backwoods" cheap cigars and when asked how much I had I said "uh, probably 2 or 3 left in the package". That was enough for them to do a spot check on my vehicle and I got to sit in the rain while they went through all my nicely neatly packed gear and opened it all up in the rain.

quote Goby: "One thing to note, make sure you know HOW MUCH EXACTLY of any liquor or tobacco you have with you. I had an open package of the "backwoods" cheap cigars and when asked how much I had I said "uh, probably 2 or 3 left in the package". That was enough for them to do a spot check on my vehicle and I got to sit in the rain while they went through all my nicely neatly packed gear and opened it all up in the rain."

Good idea! We always have our booze readily available as they often ask to see it at the entrance station.