bringing food down when i move....is it ok to send the boxes of food with the movers?

[domegirl1978 1]

Hi guys!

Question for you all: Once i get ready to move down to the states, can i pack up 5 boxes of food and transport that with the movers?

I'm thinking chips, chocolates, tim hortons coffee, dianas bbq sauce, st. huberts bbq and poutine sauce packets, cheese curds, maple syrup cans and all that good stuff.

And should i be writing dry food goods on the boxes or something else?

Thanks all!

[Bobby+Umit 161]

customs?

[Krikit 1,165]

Unfortunately you can't send food, even non-perishable food, with the movers. Same with propane tanks for your bbq.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I believe that cheese curds are also not allowed regardless.

[domegirl1978 1]

So then how would i get all this food down there? Send the boxes through Canada Post to my house down in Florida?

And ya, I know cheese curds aren't usually allowed but I'd take the chance sending them since you cannot find them anywhere down south

[Krikit 1,165]

If you're driving, bring it with you. If you're flying, pack as much as you can in your suitcases.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

So then how would i get all this food down there? Send the boxes through Canada Post to my house down in Florida?

And ya, I know cheese curds aren't usually allowed but I'd take the chance sending them since you cannot find them anywhere down south

If you're driving, bring it with you. If you're flying, pack as much as you can in your suitcases and carry-ons.

fixxored

[domegirl1978 1]

I would definitely be flying down. So luggage it is then. I'll also contact Canada Post about the chips and chocolates. I always send my American friends and fiance care packages from here with all our chocolate bars and chips you can't buy down there. But it would be good to know if I could add the bbq packets and stuff like that that wouldn't weigh too much

[Levi_Heather 0]

We bring cheese curds, farmer sausage, chips etc when we come back from a visit. Never had a problem but they never really asked either lol....

[Krikit 1,165]

The CBP FAQ on Food if anyone cares. If you're going to mail food, DomeGirl, you'll need to check the USPS for their lists because that's a different story.

[domegirl1978 1]

Thanks for that posting Krikit about the CBP. I looked at it and so far what i want to bring looks like its allowed.

I've sent care packages to my friends with chocolates and chips and canned maple syrup before with no problems with canada post and i clearly write that its a gift and what is in the box.

I'm going to call USPS and make sure that other things like the Diana's bbq sauce in the jar as ok as well but i'll probably bring those on the plane in my luggage along with the cheese curds.

I was happy to see on that CBP list that cured cheese is a-ok. LOL....can't live without my poutine.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

You'll want to put the barbeque sauce in with your checked luggage as the liquids would not make it through security. Be sure to packit well in lots of waterproofed packaging. As well, cheese curds are not CURED cheese which is why they aren't allowed - they are a raw cheese. Good luck and I hope you are able to get the curds through- I miss those a lot too!

Edited April 24, 2009 by Kathryn41

[domegirl1978 1]

So i spoke to Canada Post and with USPS. They both tell me that I can send whatever I want as long as its not eggs or poultry.

Anything else is ok by them.

I wouldn't take a chance with meat products but i'm definitely going the post office route with most stuff. I figure it'll cost me at leat 100$ to send everything i want in 5 boxes. But it'll totally be worth it.

USPS also said to make sure anything in jars was extremely well packaged so as not to break in transit.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

I moved myself in a Uhaul, so I had boxes of dry food from my kitchen - nothing perishable. Is it different when movers are taking care of things - wouldn't canned goods or dry goods be fine? Properly packed obviously

PS - isn't anything containing Beef still a no-no? Justa thought for folks who want to bring something like summer sausage.

[trailmix 77]

PS - isn't anything containing Beef still a no-no? Justa thought for folks who want to bring something like summer sausage.

No it's not - per the linked page krikit provided above:

Cooked and raw poultry is permitted from Canada except from the province of Saskatchewan. However, to bring poultry products from any province in Canada into the United States, you must have proof of the origin of the poultry. For example, proof of origin would be the grocery stores receipt where the product was purchased, or the label on the product indicates the province in which it was packaged

Fish, if it is for your personal use, is generally admissible.

Condiments such as oil, vinegar, mustard, catsup, pickles, syrup, honey, jelly, jam, etc., are generally admissible.

Fruits and vegetables grown in Canada are generally admissible, if they have labels identifying them as products of Canada. Fruits and vegetables merely purchased in Canada are not necessarily admissible, ie. citrus or tropical fruits such as mangos, which clearly were not grown in Canada because it does not have a climate that supports those crops. (Potatoes from western regions of Canada are currently restricted because of a disease outbreak. While commercial imports are permitted under stringent guidelines, travelers from Canada should avoid bringing raw potatoes with them into the US).

The Department of Agriculture has recently relaxed rules for travelers arriving from Canada with food products involving some meat products. Beef and game products are now allowed entry. This includes frozen, cooked, canned or otherwise processed beef, veal, venison, elk, bison, etc. Hunter harvested game, including deer, moose, wild sheep, goats and bison is admissible from Canada for the traveler's personal use if accompanied with a hunting license, tag or equivalent. permit. Meat products from domestic lamb, sheep and goats is still prohibited entry from Canada.