Can I Bring Bacon into Canada? A Guide for Travelers

As a frequent traveler between the United States and Canada, one question I get asked a lot is “Can I bring bacon into Canada?” Bacon is a popular food item that many people want to bring with them when they travel or have shipped to them from abroad. However, bringing meat products like bacon across the border is not as simple as packing it in your suitcase! There are important regulations to consider.

In this article, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about bringing bacon into Canada: legal requirements, quantity limits, packaging rules, where to declare it, and risks associated with bringing pork products across the border. My goal is to provide travelers with a comprehensive guide so you can make informed decisions.

Is Bacon Allowed into Canada?

The first question most people have is simply “can I bring bacon into Canada?” The short answer is yes, Canadian border regulations do allow bringing personal quantities of bacon into Canada under certain conditions.

Bacon is considered a “meat product” by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) Meat products are permitted across the border as long as

• It is for personal use (not commercial use)
• It adheres to quantity limits
• It meets packaging requirements
• It is properly declared at customs

So bacon is allowed, but there are a few hoops to jump through first. Keep reading to learn exactly what you need to do to legally transport bacon into Canada.

Quantity Limits on Bacon When Entering Canada

One of the most important regulations is that there are set quantity limits on how much meat you can bring through customs.

The personal use exemption limit for all meat products including bacon is 20 kg or approximately 44 pounds per person. This includes fresh, frozen, and chilled meats. Anything above this quantity would be flagged by border officials

To give you a sense of scale, 20 kg of bacon is roughly:

• 500 slices of regular bacon
• 250 slices of thick-cut bacon

So travelers can bring a reasonable quantity for personal consumption but commercial volumes are prohibited. Don’t try to bring an entire pig’s worth of bacon over the border!

Packaging Requirements for Transporting Bacon

In addition to quantity limits, you also need to follow packaging requirements for personal imports of meat products:

• Bacon must be in the original retail packaging identifying what it is and where it came from. Repackaging is not permitted.
• The packages must contain identifying marks indicating the product is bacon and the country of origin (i.e. “Product of USA”).
• The bacon cannot be loosely packed or wrapped. It must be transported in sealed, tamper-proof retail packaging.

These requirements are intended to allow border officials to easily identify and inspect the product. Make sure your bacon packaging meets all the criteria before crossing.

Where to Declare Bacon When Entering Canada

It is mandatory to declare all food products you are bringing into Canada when going through customs. This includes bacon and other meats.

Be prepared that your declared bacon may be inspected by border officials when you enter Canada. They will want to verify it meets packaging rules and quantity limits.

If crossing by land, declare to the Canada Border Services Agent when you arrive at the border crossing. If flying into Canada, use the declaration card provided on the flight to list your bacon. Don’t try to sneak it through—heavy penalties apply if you fail to properly declare foods.

Risks of Bringing Pork Products into Canada

Finally, it’s important to be aware of the risks associated with personal imports of pork products. Although bacon is generally permitted, there are some significant health and biosecurity concerns to consider:

• Foreign animal diseases: Pork can potentially harbor foreign diseases not found in Canada, such as African Swine Fever and Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus. This can threaten domestic pork production if introduced.

• Smuggled meats: Illegally smuggled pork has the highest risk of disease. Only buy bacon from reputable grocers and avoid meat from unknown sources.

• Limit cross-border bacon: Consider limiting bacon imports to reduce chances of disease transmission. Or opt for Canadian-sourced bacon when possible.

While the regulations do allow personal quantities of bacon, it’s wise to be cautious and prudent with cross-border pork products for these reasons.

Can I Get Bacon Shipped or Mailed to Canada?

A common question is whether you can order or ship bacon from the USA to an address in Canada. Unfortunately, having bacon mailed or shipped across the border is not permitted under the personal use exemption.

Meat products like bacon can only be imported by travelers carrying it with them during entry. Mailing bacon to Canada would be considered commercial importation and requires proper documentation from the CFIA.

The reason for this rule is that border officials need to have the opportunity to inspect the product in-person when you enter Canada. Since obviously they cannot inspect a mailed package in the same way, importing meats via mail is restricted.

In Summary

• Bacon is permitted for personal use in limited quantities
• Must adhere to packaging requirements
• Needs to be properly declared at the border
• Consider potential disease risks before transporting pork
• Cannot be mailed/shipped to Canada

Always check the latest CFIA regulations in case any restrictions are in place due to disease outbreaks. And be vigilant about declaring all food items when crossing the border! With the right information and preparation, travelers can safely enjoy their bacon when visiting Canada. Bon appétit!