What to pack, what to toss

[thatangela 134]

I'm wondering specifically about food. I'm trying to burn through as much of my dry foods as possible, although I'm not sure I want to crack open a box of pasta or that big bag of oatmeal now. (I haven't gotten my NVC case number yet, but my fingers are crossed so hard every day I can barely type.)

Does anyone have any experience/knowledge on what we can't or shouldn't pack. I know about the usual stuff, like certain meats, fruits and vegetables. I'll be getting rid of all that stuff.

But should I just open the oatmeal and toss it before I go? And what about my collection of spices, oils and vinegars? Most of them are open.

Will all that stuff be OK as long as the box is labeled and itemized?

[cappucino boy 29]

I'm wondering specifically about food. I'm trying to burn through as much of my dry foods as possible, although I'm not sure I want to crack open a box of pasta or that big bag of oatmeal now. (I haven't gotten my NVC case number yet, but my fingers are crossed so hard every day I can barely type.)

Does anyone have any experience/knowledge on what we can't or shouldn't pack. I know about the usual stuff, like certain meats, fruits and vegetables. I'll be getting rid of all that stuff.

But should I just open the oatmeal and toss it before I go? And what about my collection of spices, oils and vinegars? Most of them are open.

Will all that stuff be OK as long as the box is labeled and itemized?

Hey Angela,

It would help everyone to know you transportation details, flying, driving or taking the train as you are in Canada which is relatively close to the U.S.

[Not a Tailor 1,370]

Break into that big thing of oatmeal. Nvc is backed up...

[thatangela 134]

Break into that big thing of oatmeal. Nvc is backed up...

That's depressing. And yet apparently very true.

[Not a Tailor 1,370]

Sadly, yes

[Ontarkie 14,223]

I packed up everything that I could that wouldn't spoil.

[Sylea 30]

I'm wondering specifically about food. I'm trying to burn through as much of my dry foods as possible, although I'm not sure I want to crack open a box of pasta or that big bag of oatmeal now. (I haven't gotten my NVC case number yet, but my fingers are crossed so hard every day I can barely type.)

Does anyone have any experience/knowledge on what we can't or shouldn't pack. I know about the usual stuff, like certain meats, fruits and vegetables. I'll be getting rid of all that stuff.

But should I just open the oatmeal and toss it before I go? And what about my collection of spices, oils and vinegars? Most of them are open.

Will all that stuff be OK as long as the box is labeled and itemized?

Hey Angela - I'm using a moving company and had the same questions. I've been told it's best to leave spices behind, a few dry goods are ok.

Apparently spices can cause issues if they decide to run sniffer dogs around your shipment - IF you're using a moving company. I can't speak to uhaul or such.

Despite this recommendation, I have a small box of dry goods and spices (I am absolutely not going to find Garam Masala in Holland Michigan! LOL) but am packing the spices in ziplock bags. I can't imagine there will be a problem. I will label box as 'kitchen items' as per the moving company's suggestion.

I've only kept a few dry goods, given most of all my open stuff to friends who can use it, and donated a whole bunch of unopened stuff to the local food bank.

You can get most of the same stuff once you're stateside, so it's probably pretty silly to transport it. (aside from the very Canadian things you can't get down there)

Cheers!

[NikLR 13,227]

I moved a box of spices and it was fine. But that was in a uhaul.

Pretty much if there was more than 1/3 of a box of something, it was moved. We even told the CPB that we had apples and bananas when we crossed and they had no issues.

[thatangela 134]

YOU CROSSED WITH APPLES AND LIVED TO TELL?

Holy moly. I made the mistake of crossing with tomatoes once and got a stern talking to by an AG officer.

Since I live in Kelowna, one of the neighbours gave me a big box of Spartans from his yard. I was figuring on cooking them down into apple butter, because I think I can get preserves across.

[mtlguy 59]

YOU CROSSED WITH APPLES AND LIVED TO TELL?

Holy moly. I made the mistake of crossing with tomatoes once and got a stern talking to by an AG officer.

Since I live in Kelowna, one of the neighbours gave me a big box of Spartans from his yard. I was figuring on cooking them down into apple butter, because I think I can get preserves across.

Reminds of my visit to last year to the US. crossing with Kiwis (God Forbid you do that). got them confiscated, cause they were not produced in Canada.

Bought at Costco in Montreal.

Found the same damn box of kiwis at Costco in Chicago.

[Rob & Monika 87]

NVC doesn't do much with K-1's, I wouldn't worry about a backup there.

We brought Thanksgiving leftovers back last week. He asked why we had been in Canada (visiting family for Thanksgiving) and asked if we were bringing anything back, I said "Just leftovers!" No questions beyond that. Though my MIL said she had to sit there and eat a bag of oranges once because she didn't want them confiscated...lol.

Odds are, if its all nicely packed in a U-Haul, they won't even open it, or look at your list of things you are moving with. Check with the reviews for the location you plan on crossing to see whether that location is super picky or easy peasy.

[chiggins82 88]

YOU CROSSED WITH APPLES AND LIVED TO TELL?

Holy moly. I made the mistake of crossing with tomatoes once and got a stern talking to by an AG officer.

Since I live in Kelowna, one of the neighbours gave me a big box of Spartans from his yard. I was figuring on cooking them down into apple butter, because I think I can get preserves across.

Every time I go through customs there are large piles of apples and bananas at the customers desk (In Edmonton anyways), yet they let me cross with apples once. i always found it funny since so many of our grocery store apples are from the US and then the US confiscates them.

K-1 visa doesn't really go through NVC, just gets a case number I thing and then off to consulate. Mine took 3 weeks I think? Spousal visas are a different story though. Hopefully yours is fast.

Interesting note on the spices. Good to know.

My understanding is you can pack whatever, but make sure to itemize the list so it is declared and be prepared that maybe it will be taken away. Don't see most dry goods being an issue especially if they are sealed.... From watching border patrol, leave your raw meat behind

[thatangela 134]

I think it depends on your destination state. If you're going to Washington, apples are strictly forbidden.

Today marks four weeks since we got our NOA-2. According to NVC, our case file hasn't even gotten there yet.

[NikLR 13,227]

We went from AlBerta into Montana using sweetgrass/Coutts crossing.

[a and m 2]

Brought her spices, vinegars, and oils over last weekend when we moved her (peace bridge) - not sure if its allowed but we did. Packed it all up nice and in a uhaul. She went across first in my car, told the officer she had immigrated the week before and was moving her goods and that her husband was in the uhaul behind her. she was sent through no issues - guys asked me if I was a US citizen, and if I had my wifes belongings in the uhaul - I said yes and offered the key to unlock the back and "manifest list" if he wanted - he said nope...just wanna scan the uhaul plates. he did so then told me to have a great day. YMMV