As an avid traveler and beef jerky enthusiast, I often get asked whether it’s possible to bring this tasty snack across the Canadian border. With Canada’s strict regulations on importing meat products, it’s a common source of confusion for visitors.
In this comprehensive guide I’ll answer the question – can you bring beef jerky into Canada? I’ll cover the specific rules around importing jerkies tips for hassle-free entry, quantities permitted, and declarations needed at customs.
Overview of Bringing Meat into Canada
First, let’s look at the general rules around importing meat products into Canada. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has stringent requirements to prevent foreign animal diseases from entering the country.
In general, bringing fresh, frozen, dried, cured, or uncanned meat for personal use is prohibited. The exceptions are some cooked, canned, and shelf-stable meat items in limited quantities.
So where does jerky fall amongst these meat import regulations? Let’s take a closer look.
Is Beef Jerky Allowed into Canada?
The good news is yes, beef jerky can be imported into Canada! Since commercially prepared jerky is a dried, cured meat, it’s permitted under the regulations for shelf-stable meat products.
However, there are still important stipulations to follow:
-
The beef jerky must be commercially packaged and unopened. Homemade or repackaged jerky is not allowed.
-
You’re limited to a maximum of 20 kg (about 15-18 average bags) per traveler.
-
The jerky must accompany you in person across the border. It can’t be mailed or shipped separately.
As long as your beef jerky meets these requirements, you can legally bring it into Canada for personal use.
Additional Restrictions on Beef Products
There may be extra restrictions or prohibitions if the jerky contains beef from countries with an elevated risk of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), also known as mad cow disease.
The CFIA has extensive guidelines on beef imports from certain nations related to BSE controls. If your jerky is from outside the USA, check their policy for the latest entry requirements.
Declaring Beef Jerky at the Canada Border
When crossing into Canada, you must declare any food products in your possession, jerky included. Be ready to present the unopened packages to border agents upon request.
Have purchase receipts on hand to verify the jerky was commercially packaged. If asked, confirm it’s for personal use and does not exceed the 20 kg allowance.
Declaring jerky shows you’re making a good faith effort to comply with Canadian rules and prevents perceptions of smuggling prohibited meats.
Tips for Smoothly Bringing Beef Jerky into Canada
Follow these tips for seamlessly bringing jerky into Canada:
-
Keep jerky in original retail packaging. Do not open or repackage it.
-
Know exactly how many bags and total weight you’re carrying.
-
Have purchase receipts ready to show if needed.
-
Be prepared to declare it to Canada Border Services.
-
Carry less than 20 kg or around 15-18 average sized bags.
-
Do not try to mail or ship jerky separately into Canada.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring homemade beef jerky into Canada?
No, only commercially packaged jerky is allowed. Homemade jerky is prohibited.
Do I need to declare beef jerky at the Canada border?
Yes, you must declare all food items, including beef jerky, when entering Canada.
Is there a limit on how much beef jerky I can bring into Canada?
Yes, there’s a personal exemption limit of 20 kg (around 15-18 bags) per traveler.
Can beef jerky be shipped to me in Canada?
No, it must come with you in person when crossing the border. Shipping jerky directly to Canada is not allowed.
Can I bring jerky from Mexico or other countries?
Maybe. Jerky from countries with elevated BSE risks may face extra restrictions or prohibitions.
In Summary
With proper declarations and sticking within personal exemption limits, both Canadians and foreign visitors can legally bring commercially packaged beef jerky into Canada from the United States for personal use.
Be aware of extra restrictions from certain high-risk countries for animal diseases like BSE. By following the guidelines covered in this guide, you can continue enjoying your favorite dried jerkies when visiting Canada.
Declaring is the law
The law says you have to list all of the food, plants, and animals you bring into Canada. For instance, you must declare:
- alive animals and things made from animals, like meats (cooked or raw), hides, skins, trophies, milk, fat, butter, cheese, eggs, fish, and seafood
- Things that come from plants: fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, houseplants, wood (and things made from wood like furniture, carvings, and bark), firewood, roots, vines, herbs, flowers, insects, bulbs, soil
Failure to declare any of these products or to provide required permits/certificates can lead to:
- detention of your products
- a penalty up to $1300
- prosecution
Inadmissible goods may be confiscated and disposed of, or ordered removed from Canada. Travelers may also have to pay for any fees that come up with getting rid of, quarantining, treating, or taking these items out of Canada.
Many travellers fail to declare items such as:
- processed or canned foods
- homemade food
- handmade crafts, such as wooden items
- firewood
- cooked or cured meats
- soil
- bait for recreational fishing
- plants used for homeopathic or medicinal purposes
- milk products, such as butter, yogurt, kefir
- fruits and vegetables
Travellers may not realize the hazards associated with food, plant and animal products. These goods might bring in diseases and invasive species, which could put Canada’s food supply, economy, environment, and health at risk.