To bring, or not to bring...across the border to Canada

[Dock Boy]

Thanks Guys for the help. I will fill up here at the lodge before heading up there. How about a good minnow buying place further north? Is Dryden the last good grocery store to stop at? Heading to Pickle Lake. Thanks

[Finns]

Bringing gas into Canada might depend on what province you cross into. I realize most of the people here cross into Ontario but Manitoba has this on a HSOforum.

Gasoline and Fuel

Visitors are allowed free entry of fuel up to the normal tank capacity of their vehicles. Quantities above that amount may be subject to duty.

[DickUrban]

Hemlock - Is it ok for Americans to buy beer we will consume in Canada at the duty free store in Fort Francis after we cross the border? Thanks.

[Hemlock]

DickUrban,

Once you are in Canada you can only buy beer at a beer store. Duty free only applies for your crossing. The one in Fort Frances, is for people heading to the US (I believe) Maybe they can sell it to you, but it wouldn't be duty free.

Once you are here you can buy as much (and consume as much) as you want. ;-)

[buddha]

Guess we got lucky crossing the border this last week. We didn't pay any duty on the beer, tobacco or ammo that we brought across. We crossed in record time, we also didn't have anything to hide. We even got back into the states yesterday without much hassle. The border patrol basically said that the Feds give them heck and it falls down to the hunters crossing the border. This border agent said that it seems no matter how hard you try to do things correct the Feds will find something wrong. He was also telling us of an incident where some guys got caught bringing ducks across the border with no wing or head and they were fined $24,000!! I guess these hunters had been crossing the border for years too. That is an ugly fine to try to explain.

[ducker]

Where can I confirm that you can take potatoes across the border now?

[jeffreyd]

www.inspection dot gc dot ca/english/plaveg/protect/dir/d-96-05e.shtml

Here is the link that says yes you can as long as they are in the original package and under 10 lbs.

http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/protect/dir/d-96-05e.shtml

[jeffreyd]

2.2.2 Packaged Potatoes from the U.S.

Packaged potatoes are defined as follows: packed in standard packages accepted by the Food of Plant Origin Division (usually 45.4 kg /100 lbs or less); other packages (more than 45.4 kg / 100 lbs) will be considered bulk potatoes.

Exceptions: The import of 4.0 kg (10 lbs) or less per conveyance of packaged potatoes is permitted when commercially packaged and labelled as meeting U.S. No. 1 grade. The certification of State of origin is not required and no other import requirements apply.

[ducker]

Thanks again

[WoodlandSavage]

Gasoline and Fuel

Visitors are allowed free entry of fuel up to the normal tank capacity of their vehicles. Quantities above that amount may be subject to duty.

The key word in the above sentence is "may." I have been crossing with several gas cans a number of time over the past ten years and have never been charged duty. But I suppose there could always be a first.

[MuntzAngling]

We had more issue coming back into to the USA. The border attendant asked if we had any fruit or veg to declare. I stated what I remembered we had in the cooler which wasn't everything. He proceeded to throw all my vegetables away (and rolling around on his booth floor as his garbage can was overflowed LOL!) and told me the only reason we didn't get fined was because his agricultural specialist was not on duty. Would have been $250-500. What a jerk, right?

Anyway, throw it away or give it to someone before you come back! If you do bring it back, it better be on a list to declare apparently.

[scott-z]

Is it still o.k. to bring night crawlers accross the border into Canada as long as they are in artifical bedding?

[cam white]

nightcrawlers ok as long as not in soil... to clarify the rule on fuel.... that was put in place to snag canadians, not americans. Here in manitoba, it's not uncommon for people with a 100 gallon tank in the back of their farm truck to pop across the border, and tank up. Gas is 1.22 a litre now, that works out to about 4.70 a gallon. Substantial saving to be had, and the gov't losing a boatload of fuel taxes!

You can buy duty free beer northbound into canada. Almost every crossing has a duty free america store. You buy it, they will probably have a trailer just before the border, and you pick it up there. No taxes on it coming into canada, just declare it, and stay within your personal exemption.

[Igor Drackenwolf]

I was reminded the hard way that radar detectors are illegal to possess in Ontario. Had no issue crossing the border. Got pulled over by a patrol who just happened to see it on my dash on the return trip home. SOB stole my radar detector and gave me a $170 fine, and seemed to take authoritative joy in reminding me that ignorance is no excuse.

I offered to stow it under the boat cover in a locked compartment. Nope, not good enough. Had to steal it.

[Raider4ever]

Their country, their laws. Live with it.

[Igor Drackenwolf]

Their country, their laws. Live with it.

Duh.

[Ridgerunnr]

Heading to pipestone soon...called the Francis area border guys..they said: 20kg of meats per person. I asked if it had to be store bought or if i could bring our own butchered meats..he said either is fine...Raw potatoes 10# per and must be in store bag. All other veggies ok..No leeches but Crawlers ok w commercial bedding..Gas was no limit bring what you will use. I said we usually use 5-6 cans and he said thats fine..just thought id add this if anyone else was wondering..

[topcat3820]

That's not "stealing"... duh !!!

[jerkin'm]

Thanks for the post Ridgerunnr, I had some of those exact questions-leaving in the morning and will use your info-

[Slab-Slayer]

what's the fine if you get caught bringing live bait across the border? let's hear the horror stories !!!

[prov1900]

I doubt very much there would be a fine. I think if you really tried to "smuggle" minnows/leeches/etc, i.e. being untruthful about it, I would assume you would just get the turn around and go home notice. We have never had issues at the border, beyond the normal questions. Of course we don't bring live bait either, unless we bring a box of crawlers. Packed in paper.

[magnum mike]

I had minnows bought at home in no water. 2 hours and 100 miles later, we showed them to the customs agents. They put the minnows in cold water, added that blue Super O2 stuff and and aerator. After about a minute, one twitched. They made me walk back to America and dispose of them. End of story. $20 lost on American minnows and $300 in Canadian minnows.

[Gunther]

Crossed at International Falls last week. Usual questions about firearms, alcohol, and tobacco. One that threw me for a loop was bait. We always bring a mix of frozen minnows that are frozen and salted. When we said we had frozen minnows he asked what kind and then asked if they were salted or not. Ours were salted shiners which is what we declare every year. Thought it was interesting they wanted to know if salted or not. Did not have any issues getting across.

BTW fishing was excellent. A lot of fish in all sizes. Frozen/salted shiners out fished live bait most of the time. One exception was one evening outing that live caught more.

[Jarrid Houston]

Maybe heading to Totem lodge to do some fishing middle of July.  Tips tricks and valuable information appreciated.  Here are my questions:

1.  How much is the average case of beer?

2.  How much is a bottle of booze, lets say "Canadian Windsor"?

3.  How much is live bait?

Assuming fishing will be excellent (I am not to worried about that).  Should I bring my own gear? How many lines per person?  Any other info provided appreciated.  Tight lines,

JH

[cam white]

1. 40.00 here in manitoba for a 24 of blue. Be cheaper if you buy at duty free. 

 

2. 20-30 bucks for a bottle of whiskey. Again, cheaper at duty free. 

 

3. Bait depends on where you buy it. Call the lodge and ask.