As an avid traveler between the US and Canada, I often get asked if it’s okay to bring beef jerky across the border. Beef jerky is a popular snack for road trips and hiking, but it’s a meat product and therefore subject to import restrictions. So can you actually bring beef jerky from Canada into the US? Let’s take a close look at the rules and regulations so you’ll know exactly what to expect next time you cross the border with a bag of tasty dried meat in your carry-on!
The Short Answer
The short answer is yes, you can bring beef jerky into the US from Canada as long as it’s for personal use and not intended for commercial sale. Beef jerky is allowed across the border in personal quantities without any special permits or declarations needed. Just make sure it’s commercially packaged and not homemade.
Defining Personal vs Commercial Quantities
When importing food products into the US customs officials make a distinction between personal use and commercial use. Personal use means the products are just for you and your family or as gifts while commercial use means they are intended for sale or distribution.
For beef jerky, the personal use allowance is up to 20 pounds per person So if you buy a few bags or sticks of jerky at a store in Canada as a snack for your drive, that’s perfectly fine to bring back across the border into the US. No special permit is required for personal quantities under 20 pounds
However, if you try to bring back 21+ pounds of beef jerky, that quantity would be seen as commercial and you’d need to get an import permit from the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Without the permit, any quantities over 20 pounds could be confiscated at the border.
So as long as you stick to reasonable personal amounts of beef jerky purchased in Canada, you don’t have to worry about any extra paperwork or inspections when returning to the US. Just declare it with your other purchases and snacks.
Packaged vs Homemade Jerky
Another key thing to know is that you can only bring commercially packaged beef jerky into the US, not homemade jerky. Because homemade jerky is unregulated, it poses a higher disease risk and is prohibited.
Store-bought jerky from major brands has been processed safely under government oversight, so it’s allowed. But leave any homemade jerky at home – don’t try to bring meat that was dried or cured in someone’s personal kitchen without commercial controls in place.
As with most food products, homemade versions cannot cross the border while commercially inspected and sealed products can. So stick to branded jerky in original unopened packaging when traveling between Canada and the US.
Where to Declare Beef Jerky at the Border
When driving across the border, be sure to declare any beef jerky purchases to the customs officer along with your other goods. They may ask to see the jerky packages to verify they are commercially made and still sealed.
If you brought back a substantial amount but it’s still under the 20 pound personal allowance, just be honest if they ask how much you have. As long as you’re forthright about the quantity and purpose being for personal use, it shouldn’t be a problem.
Failure to declare beef jerky could potentially lead to fines or confiscation if they discover it in a search. So always err on the side of caution and declare it along with your other purchases.
If crossing by air, you’ll go through customs at your US airport of entry. Submit your declaration form listing any jerky packages and be prepared to show them to the officer there if requested. They’ll be looking for the same commercial packaging and personal use quantities.
Can You Bring Beef Jerky in Both Directions?
These rules apply in both directions across the US-Canada land border. Americans can also bring Canadian beef jerky into the US, while Canadians can take US-made beef jerky into Canada.
The same personal use limits and commercial packaging requirements apply whether you’re traveling north or south. And jerky must be declared when crossing in either direction.
So beef jerky lovers can pick up this tasty snack on either side of the border while traveling and enjoy it on their onward journeys. Just remember to keep quantities reasonable for personal use, stick to sealed packages from commercial brands, and be ready to declare it to customs on arrival.
What About Other Dried Meats Like Salami?
While we’ve focused on beef jerky, similar rules apply to other dried meats like sausage or salami when crossing between Canada and the US. Any commercially packaged cured/dried meats are allowed for personal use in quantities under 20 pounds per person.
Again, no homemade versions are permitted – everything must come from commercial processors. And all dried meats need to be declared to customs. But if kept under the personal allowance, products like salami, summer sausage, prosciutto, and other cured meats can cross the border in both directions without issues.
So jerky lovers aren’t the only ones who can bring tasty protein snacks across the US and Canadian border! Just stick to reasonable personal amounts and proper declarations.
Why Are There Restrictions on Bringing Meat Products?
You might be wondering why border officials are so strict about products like beef jerky when most other foods aren’t restricted. The reason is to prevent the spread of foreign animal diseases.
Meat products have the potential to harbor diseases that could devastate US livestock populations if they got a foothold here. So by limiting unregulated meat imports, the USDA protects food security and the agriculture industry.
That’s also why homemade jerky and other amateur cured meats get excluded – the disease risks are too high from non-commercial processing methods. Only jerky made safely in an approved facility gets cleared for import.
While inconvenient for travelers, these meat restrictions exist for good cause. By only allowing regulated jerkies in personal quantities, officials minimize the disease threat while still letting people enjoy this tasty snack across borders.
Clearing Customs with Your Beef Jerky
Bringing beef jerky from Canada to the US is really quite simple as long as you understand and follow the basic rules. Keep these tips in mind:
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Stick to commercially packaged jerky in unopened packages – no homemade!
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Keep quantities reasonable for personal use – under 20 lbs per person
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Be ready to declare your jerky at US customs along with other purchases
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Answer officer’s questions honestly if asked about contents or purpose
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Don’t bring excessive quantities that could seem commercial without proper permits
As long as your jerky fits the criteria for personal use, just declare it with your other goods and snacks you purchased in Canada. With the right paperwork and quantities, you shouldn’t have any issues clearing US customs with beef jerky in tow – now enjoy the tasty snack on the rest of your American travels!
Other Questions About Bringing Foods from Canada to the US
Jerky isn’t the only tasty treat you might want to bring back across the Canadian border. Here are some common questions travelers have about bringing other food items into the US:
Q: Can I bring back maple syrup or other Canadian candies/sweets?
A: Yes, you can bring back Canadian confections like maple syrup, maple sugar candy, Coffee Crisp, Smarties, and other sweets. There are no limits on these types of products as long as they’re commercially packaged for personal use. Just declare them along with your other purchases.
Q: What about dairy products like cheese or butter?
A: Unfortunately most dairy products are more restricted. Hard cheeses like cheddar are allowed but must not exceed 10 lbs per person. Soft cheeses, milk, butter, yogurt, etc. are prohibited. Always check with CBP officers about dairy allowances.
Q: Can I bring back home-cooked foods or baked goods?
A: No. Homemade foods like casseroles, cookies, etc. made in someone’s personal kitchen are never permitted across the border. All foods need to come from approved commercial facilities with oversight. Leave the homemade foods behind.
Q: Are there any restrictions on bringing fresh produce like fruit, vegetables or plants?
A: Fresh fruits and vegetables grown in Canada are permitted, but plants, seeds, mushrooms, and houseplants require inspection by USDA officials before clearing customs. Failure to declare prohibited fresh foods may result in confiscation and fines.
Q: What about alcoholic beverages like wine, beer, and spirits?
A: You’re allowed a personal use exemption of 100oz of alcohol if you’re 21 or older. Anything above that limit would need to be declared and duty paid. And always keep alcohol in trunk while crossing, not the main cabin.
The main point is always err on the side of caution and declare everything you’re bringing back from Canada, even if you think it’s allowed. US customs officers will make the final determination on what can pass inspection. But with the right declarations and personal use quantities, you should be all set bringing food souvenirs home from your Canadian travels.
In Summary
Just stick to reasonable quantities under 20 pounds, keep it sealed in original packaging, and be ready to declare it during your customs inspection. Follow those tips and you and your jerky snacks will be all set for that road trip across the US-Canada border.