The Canadian Minister of Finance and Minister of Foreign Affairs has placed 25% tariffs on goods originating from or made in the United States as they cross the border northbound in personnel vehicles, and that includes some personal groceries. Fishermen will have to pay the extra charge also.

According to the Canada Border Services Agency, the extra surtax when entering the country will remain in place as a countermeasure until the United States eliminates its tariffs on Canadian goods.

There is no "Quetico tariff". If a tariff exists, it is a Canadian tariff.

Food for personal consumption on a canoe trip needs to be declared, but unless you're seeing something I'm not, there is no tariff on it. There are some restrictions as to bringing certain items (maybe potatoes?), but otherwise no tariffs that I know of.

Let us know if you have read something.

I found a CBSA page that describes how the tariffs apply at the border. This page states, "The tariff does not apply to goods being temporarily imported for personal use (generally your vehicle, luggage and personal items)."

Immediately after that, there is a link to Memorandum D2-1-1: Temporary Importation of Baggage and Conveyances by Non-residents This memo explains that, "A person who is not a resident may import baggage or conveyances classified under tariff item No. 9803.00.00 for the personal use of that person in Canada," and "baggage" includes "any goods that the person imports for their personal use and that are appropriate for their needs and consistent with the purpose, nature and duration of their intended stay in Canada."

Pinetree, can you provide a reference for your statements?

Jackfish: "There is no "Quetico tariff". If a tariff exists, it is a Canadian tariff.


Food for personal consumption on a canoe trip needs to be declared, but unless you're seeing something I'm not, there is no tariff on it. There are some restrictions as to bringing certain items (maybe potatoes?), but otherwise no tariffs that I know of.


Let us know if you have read something."

Correct, that is why I changed the heading. Minnesota Outdoor news just had a article about a increase of 25% for people heading north of the border, like groceries and other foods. It pertains to all people heading north.

pcallies: "I found a CBSA page that describes how the tariffs apply at the border. This page states, "The tariff does not apply to goods being temporarily imported for personal use (generally your vehicle, luggage and personal items)."


Immediately after that, there is a link to Memorandum D2-1-1: Temporary Importation of Baggage and Conveyances by Non-residents This memo explains that, "A person who is not a resident may import baggage or conveyances classified under tariff item No. 9803.00.00 for the personal use of that person in Canada," and "baggage" includes "any goods that the person imports for their personal use and that are appropriate for their needs and consistent with the purpose, nature and duration of their intended stay in Canada."


Pinetree, can you provide a reference for your statements?"

Minnesota Outdoor News March 14th-

U.S. anglers bringing food into Canada could see 25% tariff
Natalie Ryder March 14, 2025
For anglers, outdoor enthusiasts, or any other tourists planning to enter Canada via personal vehicle, the international tariff tussle could impact their wallets for the foreseeable future.
The Canadian Minister of Finance and Minister of Foreign Affairs has placed 25% tariffs on goods originating from or made in the United States as they cross the border northbound, and that includes some personal groceries. According to the Canada Border

You would more than make up for it on the exchange rate and the discounted nightly permit cost, another benefit of driving across the border, considerably cheaper.

campnfish: "You would more than make up for it on the exchange rate and the discounted nightly permit cost, another benefit of driving across the border, considerably cheaper."

Yes and it still is a bargain.

I wonder if we can get clarification: "personal groceries"
Is that the food I have in a cooler for 2 people for a week, or a semi-truck with 15 tons headed for a grocery store? Or both?

Anyone know?

fun4dad2: "I wonder if we can get clarification: "personal groceries"
Is that the food I have in a cooler for 2 people for a week, or a semi-truck with 15 tons headed for a grocery store? Or both?

Anyone know?"

It will be personnel groceries, also. Tariff update

MPLS Tribune march 21-2025
Traditionally, Canada has never charged duty on these “consumables” — though technically it could have.

Now, in response to tariffs the U.S. has placed on a long list of Canadian products, Canada has imposed a 25% tariff, or surtax, on a variety of U.S. goods, including food brought north by Americans who intend to eat the food while in Canada, according to resort owners and others who have discussed the issue with Canadian border officials.

Boundary Waters paddlers accessing Quetico Provincial Park at seasonal Canadian entry points such as Sand Point Lake and boaters headed to the Canadian sides of Namakan, Kabetogama, Lac la Croix and other border lakes also are expected to be affected. Americans who own cabins on the Canadian side of Lake of the Woods and other Canadian waters and who are accustomed to bringing larger quantities of food or other supplies north for longer stays also will be charged.

That’s in addition to Canadian taxes on the same goods, which could add another 5%.
Here’s the math:

If you have $100 worth of groceries in U.S. dollars, the equivalent is about $143 Canadian, at recent exchange rates. Thirty percent of $143 is about $43 Canadian, or about $30 U.S., which would be the amount due

Longer lines this summer to get into Canada, particularly through International Falls, Minn., and Fort Frances, Ontario, are expected as a result.

Canadian border officials have said they will open all four bays this summer on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at the Fort Frances crossing to minimize disruption.

Pinetree: "

fun4dad2: "I wonder if we can get clarification: "personal groceries"
Is that the food I have in a cooler for 2 people for a week, or a semi-truck with 15 tons headed for a grocery store? Or both?

Anyone know?"

It will be personnel groceries also
Tariff update "

Pinetree, thanks for the reference to Outdoor News and the link to the Strib article. What a colossal PITA!

-Peter

We like to dehydrate meals instead of buying. I wonder how they would calculate a tarrifs on food that we make? I could save receipts for all the food that we bought to make the meals, but it really wouldn’t be representative of what was actually dehydrated. The other party in our group on the other hand is bringing prepackaged dehydrated. So I can see how that would be easier.

Been a long time, but I recall on Quetico crossings from the BWCA in the late 60s or early 70s needing to pay import duty on our food when crossing border.

A friend emailed trying to get to the bottom of this.

- Quetico Provincial Park told him they had no idea and to contact the RABC office, assuring him that even though RABC is suspended, they'd still have "oversight" of Crane Lake customs.

- RABC actually had no idea. They say they're over RABC only and have nothing to do with customs. They tell him to contact CBSA.

- CBSA said it's a good question but they aren't sure about the customs policies as the relationship between Quetico and BWCA is "extremely unique". They recommended we get RABCs. They were surprised to hear the program was suspended. They then directed him to contact Quetico PP.

Lol, it sounds like quite the mess. I picked the wrong year for my first venture into Quetico. We are heading in through Sand Point. Hopefully there's some clarification soon...

So your ranger at Cache Bay or PP entry is going to collect this tariff? Tear-down your packs, check your receipts? Collect $30CN from you? Report $15?

I'm just going to bring Canadian Blended Whiskey for our May trip... no charge.

bn3: "So your ranger at Cache Bay or PP entry is going to collect this tariff? Tear-down your packs, check your receipts? Collect $30CN from you? Report $15?

I'm just going to bring Canadian Blended Whiskey for our May trip... no charge."

That's a lot of maybes. Maybe the ranger will voluntarily ask what you have for food and take your word or maybe customs will reopen in these areas. Maybe?

What a mess.

tr3a: "Been a long time, but I recall on Quetico crossings from the BWCA in the late 60s or early 70s needing to pay import duty on our food when crossing border."

Yup. Me too. Two or three days was fine. Beyond that there was a duty. They were not sticklers about it.

bn3: "So your ranger at Cache Bay or PP entry is going to collect this tariff? Tear-down your packs, check your receipts? Collect $30CN from you? Report $15?


I'm just going to bring Canadian Blended Whiskey for our May trip... no charge."

Well that is plausible. It’s crazy but plausible. However, Cache Bay is not customs so who knows.

When I was a kid I remember docking at a customs or ranger station on Saganaga and paying duty based on how many pounds of food we had. This was 1979.

I was part of a summer school group from Apple Valley. My parents paid $50 to send their kid to the BWCA/ Canadian crown land for 10 days. Food and lodging included.

Tom

Tariffs on tourists food has been dropped.From a reputable source

update

MPLS April 2
The Canada Border Services Agency has delivered good news to Canadian resort owners and their American customers by saying groups crossing the border won’t be required to pay a 25 percent tariff on groceries they bring to eat.

When Canada introduced its retaliatory tariff last month, Ontario and Manitoba tourism officials, fishing outfitters and lake resorts believed visitors would be required to show receipts for their groceries and other consumables.

On Wednesday, however, a government spokesman said border agents won’t apply the new tariff if the incoming personal-use goods appear to be in line with the intended purpose, nature and duration of the traveler’s stay in Canada. The goods must be for personal use only, the spokesman stressed.

“It is the responsibility of border services officers at ports of entry to assess the quantity of consumable goods,‘’ said Canada Border Services Agency spokesman Luke Reimer. “If the officer determines that the goods exceed a reasonable quantity for the visitor’s intended stay, then the 25% surtax may be applied.‘’

Guest poster: "Tariffs on tourists food has been dropped from a reputable source"

And you heard it here first from an anonymous guest poster. :)

As often as things have changed with respect to tariffs, one has to wonder if the correct answer today will still be the correct answer once the ice is out and canoe tripping begins for the year.

LarryS48: "As often as things have changed with respect to tariffs, one has to wonder if the correct answer today will still be the correct answer once the ice is out and canoe tripping begins for the year. "

It's a fast-moving target. I think the grocery thing will stay the same. Canada people and resorts want the tourist dollars and many have long friendships across borders with repeat customer.

I have, and will wear, a Canada hat up there showing my friendship.

Pinetree: "

LarryS48: "As often as things have changed with respect to tariffs, one has to wonder if the correct answer today will still be the correct answer once the ice is out and canoe tripping begins for the year. "

It's a fast-moving target. I think the grocery thing will stay the same. Canada people and resorts want the tourist dollars and many have long friendships across borders with repeat customer.

I have, and will wear, a Canada hat up there showing my friendship."

No Canada hat but my Quetico vanity plates on my car are a dead giveaway!

mapsguy1955: "

Pinetree: "

LarryS48: "As often as things have changed with respect to tariffs, one has to wonder if the correct answer today will still be the correct answer once the ice is out and canoe tripping begins for the year. "

It's a fast-moving target. I think the grocery thing will stay the same. Canada people and resorts want the tourist dollars and many have long friendships across borders with repeat customer.

I have, and will wear, a Canada hat up there showing my friendship."

No Canada hat but my Quetico vanity plates on my car are a dead giveaway! "

You're all set then.

Oh cool, what does your Canada hat look like?

My preferred hats are the BWCA.com hats I get right here, but if there's a Quetico hat or similar Canada-themed option, I want it! And will wear it up there in June.

Luckee: "Oh cool, what does your Canada hat look like?

My preferred hats are the BWCA.com hats I get right here, but if there's a Quetico hat or similar Canada-themed option, I want it! And will wear it up there in June."

Funny that you mention that. I always purchase a Quetico t-shirt from my outfitter in Atikokan but don't believe I've ever seen a Quetico cap. Maybe I'm wrong. I'll look harder this summer. I need one.

The Friends of Quetico sell a Quetico hat I believe.

T

Friends of Quetico do have a hat for sale in their store!

I confess to being partial to this more minimalist design: Quetico hat

And on Amazon you can get a serviceable hat that just has a red maple leaf on it.

I've never gotten involved in any of the bumper sticker wars, but a maple leaf hat could be a good way to suggest my extraordinarily low opinion of policies that alienate Canadians for no reason or useful purpose . . .

Luckee: "Friends of Quetico do have a hat for sale in their store!

I confess to being partial to this more minimalist design: Quetico hat

And on Amazon you can get a serviceable hat that just has a red maple leaf on it.

I've never gotten involved in any of the bumper sticker wars, but a maple leaf hat could be a good way to suggest my extraordinarily low opinion of policies that alienate Canadians for no reason or useful purpose . . . "

If it's a hat with a maple leaf on it, you'll definitely want this one: