Crossing the Canadian border from the United States with food and drinks is often necessary on long car rides in which making a lot of stops is inconvenient. But there are limits on how much you are allowed to carry over the border, and some foods and many plant products are forbidden. Familiarize yourself with import and export laws pertaining to food so you don't face the seizure of items and the prospect of paying hefty fines.
Know exactly what you have in your car before crossing the border. The Canadian Border Crossing Resource Guide says you may you bring "a reasonable amount of personal items, supply of food (for personal use) and a full tank of gas" across the border from the United States. If necessary, simply empty your car of all items you do not need for your trip to Canada. Take an inventory of everything you put into your car. Leave any food and plants in plain sight through the window and within easy reach, in case the border officer would like to inspect them.
Remove any potatoes, dog food or American soil from your car. These items are banned from transport across the U.S.-Canadian border. Live plants may or may not be allowed in Canada; allowances are made at the border guards' discretion, and they may confiscate any plant deemed a hazard. A surer way to get a prohibited or questionable item into Canada is to send it through the mail from the United States, which requires you to get proper clearance from the Canadian customs agency.
Do not exceed the amount of alcohol and tobacco permitted across the border. As of February 2010, the alcohol limit was 24 twelve-oz. cans of beer, 40 oz. of liquor or 1.5 liters of alcohol. The limit on tobacco cigarettes was 200, or one carton.
Declare all organic goods you have as you cross the border, whether you think they are permitted or not. You'll lose any item you declare that's on the prohibited list, but that's better than watching a border guard discover an undeclared item. This often will result in a fine and maybe even a loss of border crossing privileges.
Heed the same rules when you are traveling by any other mode, be it ship, airplane or even on foot.
