Although the link below is to a CBC news article about the new Canadian border controls resulting in hundreds of detentions, the purpose of this post is to highlight the inspection of personal effects brought in through airports.
The days of casually getting away with bringing in meats, fish and plants are long gone. You will still come across some Goans boasting of smuggling in Goa sausages but it's best to ignore them. On no account try to emulate them, for besides breaking the law, you can be subject to stiff fines, will get your food confiscated and be marked on their database for mandatory inspection when coming in, for several years. The rules are actually quite simple. No meat, no fish, no plants (in any form whether sealed, tinned, cooked or frozen) and declaration of currency of more than CAD 10,000 or equivalent. Surprisingly, there is no restriction on any kinds of sweets, baked goods (non meat and fish of course) and pickles. Alcohol and tobacco as everywhere are best kept to allowed limits. Declare any over-limit and be subject to duties (no fines if you declare) which will take your cost to what you can but at the store locally. Many people don't understand the currency rule. There is no bar on bringing any amount of any currency into the country. All CBP (Canadian Border Protection) is asking is that an amount of over the said limit must be declared to ensure that the source is a legitimate one. Foreign currency including American Dollars will be converted at current rates, to arrive at the limit. There's no restriction on bringing in Feni within the alcohol limit prescribed. I have known of some cases where Goan passengers have told the officer it was cooking vinegar, so as to exclude it from the limit, but with the induction of a few Goan CBP officers, I wouldn't count on that now. CBP officers are the most polite you can ever come across as customs agents in any country. Here they have both customs and immigration responsibilities combined. Deal with them politely and you will be surprised at the leeway they will give you. Many people assume that a valid visa gives you guaranteed right into a country. The fact is that the immigration officer, in this case the CBP takes the ultimate decision. Here's what actually happens when you walk into the baggage area of Pearson Airport in Toronto: You are being watched for any suspicious behaviour. A special rigorous eye is kept on passengers coming in from "drug source countries." India is included. You collect your baggage, present your declaration of goods and currency at the desk and are greeted and welcomed with courtesy and out you go to your waiting friends, relatives or transportation. If you have been stopped at primary by a CBP agent, you are escorted to secondary where a few questions are asked and your baggage searched. You are in secondary because your baggage was flagged in the security area by a machine or sniffer dog, or both. The dogs are also in the primary area for hand baggage and body drug odour. These dogs by the way, are gentle breeds, well trained and harmless. In secondary inspection, no matter what your wrongdoing, be forthcoming and truthful. This is prized above everything else by the agents. You will be surprised at the positive manner in which they will give you the benefit of the doubt if they find you are being upfront and not in outright contravention of law. I have been through many customs halls in my lifetime. India can be generally good though sometimes nasty. Europe except the Britain can be pleasant. London is condescending, rude and racist. The US is mostly terse and abrupt where you best reply in monosyllables - yes or no. The Gulf Arab countries are not as harsh as you would expect. Australia is much like the USA. Russia is best avoided. No facilities exist and no questions are answered in Moscow. The parts of Africa I have experienced Nigeria, Ghana and Sierra Leone can be a slam dunk for convenience and help with a little "tip." Each of of Goanet readers may have different experiences. I am stating mine. Canada shines in this area of human activity, applying politeness and a genuine welcome to travellers while applying the law fairly and evenhandedly. Mine is not an expert opinion on Canadian customs regulations Please see the Govt website for that. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/border-security-hundreds-detained-in-1st-month-of-new-screening-measures-1.3545451 Roland Francis Toronto
