Whether you’re just visiting the US for a short time or coming back from a trip to another country, you should be careful about what food you bring with you. Some items are prohibited, meaning you cannot bring them into the country no matter what. Others are restricted, meaning the rules might depend on your situation or require additional paperwork. Most food items are either permitted or restricted, rather than outright prohibited.
This page is specifically about items brought in for personal use. Check the rules for commercial imports if you want to bring things to sell or a lot of them (like more than 50 pounds of meat).
As a Canadian traveler and beef jerky lover, you may be wondering if you can legally bring jerky into the United States when crossing the border. With strict regulations on many food items, it’s a valid question! This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about bringing your favorite salty snack over the border between Canada and the US.
Overview of US Import Regulations for Meat Products
To prevent the introduction of foreign animal diseases that could harm US agriculture and livestock, the United States maintains import restrictions on many animal products entering from other countries. Here are some key regulations to be aware of:
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All food items must be declared to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials when entering the US. Failing to declare agricultural items can lead to fines.
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Raw, fresh, or undercooked meat is generally prohibited from import This includes fresh beef jerky
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Commercially packaged cured, dried, or cooked meat products are often allowed with some restrictions. This includes most types of shelf-stable beef jerky.
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There are limits on quantities for personal vs. commercial use. Personal use is usually less than 50 lbs.
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Proper documentation may be required to verify the product’s origin and processing method
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CBP officers make the final determination on whether items are admissible at the port of entry.
Is Beef Jerky From Canada Allowed?
Because commercially prepared beef jerky goes through a curing and drying process to make it shelf-stable, it is generally allowed to be brought into the US from Canada in personal use amounts, provided:
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The original retail packaging remains sealed and labeling is intact
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The jerky contains no raw meat ingredients – only fully cooked/cured meat.
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The total quantity is under 50 lbs per person for personal consumption, not commercial resale.
So the short answer is yes, Canadian beef jerky can normally enter the US legally through land border crossings or airports, but final approval depends on inspection by CBP officials.
Tips for Smoothly Bringing Canadian Beef Jerky Into the US
To maximize your chances of successfully bringing beef jerky from Canada into the United States, here are some tips:
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Keep all original packaging sealed and labels intact before crossing. Don’t open or repackage it.
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Be ready to show purchase receipts if asked, to verify Canadian origin.
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Know the current personal use quantity limits. Restrictions can change.
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Put jerky in your carry-on, not checked bags, when flying. Checked luggage inspection can damage packaging.
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Declare ALL food items to CBP officers when entering the US. Never attempt to hide or sneak it through.
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Understand that CBP inspectors have authority to deny entry if the jerky does not meet requirements.
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Have a backup snack plan in case the jerky gets confiscated at entry.
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Be cooperative if your jerky is denied entry for any reason. Arguing will not reverse the decision.
Proper preparation, documentation, understanding of regulations, and cooperation at inspection can go a long way towards smoothly bringing your Canadian beef jerky into the US. But remember, it’s never guaranteed.
What Happens if My Beef Jerky is Confiscated at the US Border?
If a CBP officer determines your Canadian beef jerky cannot enter the US after inspection, here’s what to expect:
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The jerky will be immediately confiscated and destroyed. You cannot keep prohibited items.
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Remain calm and compliant. Arguing will not change the outcome.
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You may request to keep packaging/receipts for your records if allowed.
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Ask the reason for denial so you know for next time.
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Inquire about the appeals process if you feel the denial was incorrect.
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Consider purchasing jerky again once you’ve entered the US to replace confiscated snacks.
While extremely disappointing to lose your jerky, handling denial professionally at the border is critical for avoiding any further issues or penalties. Remember, officers confiscate items to protect US agriculture from disease risks.
Alternatives If Your Beef Jerky is Denied Entry
If your Canadian beef jerky doesn’t pass inspection at the US border, here are some alternate snack options you can enjoy instead:
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Turkey or other meat jerky – Very similar texture and flavors.
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Plant-based jerky – Types made from soy, mushrooms, etc.
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Pork rinds – Crispy and salty like jerky.
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Nut trail mixes – For protein and crunch.
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Dried fruit and veggies – Chewy fix without the meat.
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Granola or cereal bars – For a sweet snack alternative.
With a little creativity and preparation, you’ll still be able to snack in style on your US travels even if crossing the border with beef jerky doesn’t work out.
Key Takeaways for Bringing Canadian Jerky Into the US
To summarize, here are the most important things to keep in mind when bringing beef jerky into the US from Canada:
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Research current US import laws on dried meat products from Canada.
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Ensure the jerky is commercially packaged with all labels.
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Limit to personal use quantities under 50 lbs.
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Put in carry-ons when flying.
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Keep receipts to prove Canadian origin.
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Always declare ALL food to CBP.
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Know CBP makes the final decision on entry.
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Stay cooperative if jerky is denied entry for any reason.
With proper preparation and understanding of import regulations, Canadians can often successfully bring their delicious beef jerky into the United States. But be ready to adjust if your jerky gets stopped at the border. Where there’s a will (and good backup snacks), there’s a way!
Tips for bringing food into the U.S.
- Declare everything! If you don’t declare any food items that aren’t allowed, you could get fined a lot of money. It’s more likely that the border patrol will just take any illegal items from you if you make a simple mistake, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. There won’t be any fines if you tell them everything. You can print this form out ahead of time and have it ready for the customs officers when they arrive.
- Keep original packaging. This can help border agents confirm that the item came from the right country.
Foods you can bring into the U.S.
Generally speaking, processed items are less of a problem than raw foods. However, you should still declare everything. If you want to check a food item more specifically, you can take a look at the Don’t Pack a Pest website, or the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol site (although this site is very technical and can be tough to read). The following items are usually allowed, as long as they’re for personal use.
- Baked goods: Bread, crackers, etc. Most of the time, dry baking mixes can be returned as long as they are in their original packaging.
- Butter
- Candy: Chocolate and other solid desserts are typically allowed.
- Cheese: As long as it’s solid and doesn’t have any meat in it
- Condiments: Foods like ketchup, mustard, Vegemite, etc. – as long as they do not contain meat products.
- Flour
- Juice: As long as it’s commercially packaged. (Tip: Keep the juice in its original container so that CBP agents can be sure of where it came from.) If you make your own juice, it’s more likely to be judged like fresh fruit (see below for more on fresh fruit).
- Milk products for babies: Most of the time, liquid milk and milk products are restricted (see below), but they can be used to feed babies and very young kids. But the CBP says it has to be a “reasonable amount” to last for a few days. This usually means that it’s up to the border patrol agent to decide if the amount you have is “reasonable.” If you only bring what you need, there won’t be any doubt about whether it’s for your young child’s personal use.
- Mushrooms: As long as there’s no soil on them.
- Noodles and ramen: As long as they don’t have any meat in them
- As long as they’re cooked in some way, like roasting or boiling, nuts are fine. There are stricter rules for nuts that are raw or have been prepared less (for example, blanched). You may need to call the USDA to find out more. Check this link (and click on “nuts”) for more information.
- Oil: Olive and other vegetable oils.
- Spices: You can bring most dried spices, but not the seeds and leaves of citrus fruits or many other fruits and vegetables. You should only bring lemongrass if it’s part of a commercially packaged item.
- Tea: It will probably be okay as long as it’s in a commercial package and ready to use. Some loose leaf herbal teas may need to be inspected, and this will depend on where they come from. Click on this link and then on “herbal teas.”
See What Really Happens To The Illegal Food Confiscated At U.S. Customs
FAQ
Can you bring beef jerky from Canada to the US?
What food is restricted from Canada to the US?
Can you bring dried food into USA?
Do I have to declare snacks at US Customs?
How much beef jerky can I bring into Canada?
United States: You can bring up to 50 pounds of beef jerky into the United States for personal consumption. However, the jerky must be commercially packaged and labeled. Canada: You can bring up to 20 kilograms of beef jerky into Canada for personal consumption. The jerky must be commercially packaged and labeled.
Can you bring beef jerky to USA?
If you’re traveling to the USA from another country, you may be wondering if you can bring beef jerky with you. The good news is that commercially packaged and cooked beef jerky is allowed into the country. However, there are some restrictions to keep in mind.
Can you bring beef jerky into Europe?
Yes, you can bring up to 2 kilograms of beef jerky into the European Union from the United States for personal consumption. However, the jerky must be commercially packaged and labeled. What happens if I get caught bringing beef jerky into a country that doesn’t allow it?
Can you eat beef jerky from another country?
When traveling to the USA from another country, commercially packaged and cooked beef jerky is allowed without restrictions. However, travelers should be aware of restrictions on bringing back certain meat products from countries affected by serious livestock diseases.