Americans heading to Canada need to know the rules

By Dee McClure, GLCC Director and Port Captain 

I’m looking forward to attending this year’s annual Rendezvous in Little Current, Ont. (NC-17), cruising over from Lake Michigan. 

As it’s been a few years since I visited the North Channel, I asked GLCC Rear Commodore Eric Sunstrum, a retired Canadian Customs official, to check my memory and update me on Canadian provisioning limitations and requirements. 

Note: Canadian Border Services officers may not dig deep into all these items, but it is your responsibility to know what the requirements are and what could be checked or requested when visiting Canada. 

Food provisioning 

You are generally permitted to have provisions for the length of your trip; you can bring in two weeks’ supply of grocers for a two-week visit. You must declare all food items when asked. Restricted items could be confiscated. (https://inspection.canada.ca/en/food-safety-consumers/bring-food-personal-use#a3) 

Dog/cat food, treats and chews 

These are regulated under the Canadian Health of Animals Regulations. Requirements are that “the pet food or product be of the United States origin and be commercially packaged.” 

We typically bring sufficient dog food for the length of the cruise without bringing 

an entire 30-pound bag of dog food (would need a bigger boat for that). From my 

perspective, knowing this requirement, I’ll now bring the empty bag showing the 

brand and ingredients in case asked. (https://inspection.canada.ca/en/animal-health/terrestrial-animals/imports/import-policies/products-and-products/pet-food) 

Alcohol 

Each person can bring into Canada two 750ml bottles of wine, or 40 fluid ounces total of alcohol, or 24 cans or bottles of beer. (https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/pdt-pdt-eng.html)  “Bar stock” or “part” bottles (i.e., bottles that are open) may or may not count against the limit. Regardless, all alcohol must be declared upon entry to Canada Border Services. 

Drinking while cruising 

Drinking while under-way is strictly not allowed. Canada does not permit drinking of alcohol when under-way by anyone, passengers or crew. This is enforced through spot checks by municipal police, provincial police force, Canada Coast Guard and/or the RCMP. There are fines for this in Ontario. It’s considered the same as US rules about having open alcohol in a vehicle. Captains are responsible for the actions of their passengers. (https://myboatcard.com/drink-on-a-boat-ontario/) 

When visiting any country, it’s important to know that country’s requirements. It’s smart, but it’s also a matter of respect. 

Americans should know Canadian rules so they can fully enjoy the spectacular cruising grounds that Canada offers, particularly those around Little Current, Ont. (NC-17), the site of this year’s Rendezvous.