This or That. What to/what not to carry In-Flight from India to Canada?

[bishgop]

This I guess is a general query every immigrating Indian will have, like us! We (me and wife) are moving to Canada on April 19 from Mumbai Airport through connecting flights with Korean Air and Air Canada. We have started packing our bags, buying stuffs and a lot lot more to be done (apart from meeting relatives for goodbyes and feasts!). I read through several threads about things that we will need in Canada for the first few weeks or month. But most threads are a year or older. If anyone has come across a fresher thread, please, please share it here. If not,

1. What do you suggest we carry for the first few months of our stay in Toronto? We are booking through Airbnb for a month.
2. Can we pack pickles, oil, rice, sugar, salt, and other cooking/kitchen/bathroom essentials in the baggage?
3. What would you keep in your priority list of must-carry items?
4. Any thing else that helps?

Please share your experiences and educate and inform newbies like me; your time, I am sure, will be appreciated by all. TIA

PS. We'll both be jobless, we don't know for how long!

 

[scylla]

I would avoid all food products. Some foods are not allowed into Canada.

If you do bring food products, make sure you declare that you have them on the customs form.

 

[Bs65]

As Scylla has said do not bring any food with you and if you do ensure you declare all food else you could face a fine or have the food items confiscated. Surprisingly oil, rice, sugar , salt are all available in Canada so there is absolutely no reason to bring any food just buy it when you arrive.

 

[Bryanna]

As mentioned by scylla and Bs65:
Do not bring any food.... pickles, milk products, Indian sweets that contain milk, meats/meat products and the like are a big no-no.

Everything is available in Canada. Not sure why you want to bring the essentials like sugar, salt, rice and groceries. You can check out Asian/Indian stores or even Walmart/Costco etc to get the basics

 

[scylla]

Also keep in mind that sugar, salt, oil, etc. are very heavy and you only have so much allowed weight for your luggage. Very easy to buy in Canada...

 

[Wonderland_1010]

You wouldn't want carry all that through customs only to be flagged by CBSA and obviously bringing food into the country will result in a fine which could be over $1000 that you'd have to pay.

 

[bishgop]

You wouldn't want carry all that through customs only to be flagged by CBSA and obviously bringing food into the country will result in a fine which could be over $1000 that you'd have to pay.

But I have read on other threads about people suggesting carrying these items, at least to support for the first weeks/month. I am assuming they said so because they already did take these. Isn't it?

 

[bishgop]

As mentioned by scylla and Bs65:
Do not bring any food.... pickles, milk products, Indian sweets that contain milk, meats/meat products and the like are a big no-no.

Everything is available in Canada. Not sure why you want to bring the essentials like sugar, salt, rice and groceries. You can check out Asian/Indian stores or even Walmart/Costco etc to get the basics

But does that mean it is not allowed/restricted in the luggage/baggage?

 

[Bryanna]

But I have read on other threads about people suggesting carrying these items, at least to support for the first weeks/month. I am assuming they said so because they already did take these. Isn't it?

It's quite out-of-place to bring salt, rice, oil and regular groceries to get you through the initial few months

You would need to keep in mind the baggage allowance on Korean Air.
It's a risk to carry pickles and oil.... think of a spillage in your luggage

 

[Bryanna]

But does that mean it is not allowed/restricted in the luggage/baggage?

Here's the CBSA list to help you:
http://inspection.gc.ca/food/information-for-consumers/travellers/what-can-i-bring-into-canada-/eng/1389648337546/1389648516990#a2

 

[Wonderland_1010]

But I have read on other threads about people suggesting carrying these items, at least to support for the first weeks/month. I am assuming they said so because they already did take these. Isn't it?

Its very cheap to buy groceries like cooking oil and what not. You can go to Walmart or even Dollar Store to get these.

 

[bishgop]

Here's the CBSA list to help you:
http://inspection.gc.ca/food/information-for-consumers/travellers/what-can-i-bring-into-canada-/eng/1389648337546/1389648516990#a2

Thanks Bryanna for the list. I read through everything and few other websites. Here's the abstract (for travelers from India to Canada):
1. Only Fresh Fruits and fresh meat are not allowed. Also garden plants are restricted.
2. Milk & milk products should be avoided too. (Cheese, butter, skim milk). We can carry milk condiments though.
3. Oil & Oiled food products should be avoided (just to prevent spillage)
4. Yes, we can carry almost anything that's packed/processed up to 20 kilograms. We must declare these to the officers at the Port of Entry (Airport Security Checks)

In-flight to Canada, we get a Declaration form where we need to declare everything that's there in the luggage. Stay Honest and there'l be no issue. Worst case, they'll not allow these items for you to carry home. But they'll not fine you (unless it's something illegal that you are carrying).

I hope this information helps others too. Please, please do correct if anything's wrong with what I've read and understood.

 

[mf4361]

If you are landing in Vancouver, they have just changed to electronic declaration machines so you will actually do that after you have landed. And you will get to a special queue for new immigrants (apart from the one for citizens and visitors)

 

[vensak]

Ok,
So it has 0 sence to bring cheap food products which you will end up overpaying by additional luggage weight.
Essential stuff:
1. documents and translated documents - birth certificate, school diplomas, driving licence, your IELTS test results, vaccination sheet for children (if you have such thing), any health history (for the dentist and the family doctor)...
2. Mobile phone (just check if it is working under local networks), notebook PC - with that you will only need a SIM Card to start the job search.
3. Some clothes, they shall include one good looking set for interview (it may take a bit to get something you like) and depending on the time of the year some essential seasonal clothes
4. Medicaments if any of you needs them at the time (again first few days might be demanding so that you will not run out of it before you hit the walk in clinic or a proper drug store).
5. basics like toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant... (but nothing beyond what you would take for a 2 weeks holiday).

Everything else is optional and it will be more up to you to take what has nostalgic value for you. 20kg seems to be a lot, except your empty luggage already weights some nice 4-5 kg. So in reality it is not that much.

If ever you will go for any food (in case you have friends and are bringing some gifts), go only for commercially packed non perishable food (like some candies, chocolate, chips or crackers). Those are rather harmless and once you declare them there should be no problem with it.

 

[bishgop]

Ok,
So it has 0 sence to bring cheap food products which you will end up overpaying by additional luggage weight.
Essential stuff:
1. documents and translated documents - birth certificate, school diplomas, driving licence, your IELTS test results, vaccination sheet for children (if you have such thing), any health history (for the dentist and the family doctor)...
2. Mobile phone (just check if it is working under local networks), notebook PC - with that you will only need a SIM Card to start the job search.
3. Some clothes, they shall include one good looking set for interview (it may take a bit to get something you like) and depending on the time of the year some essential seasonal clothes
4. Medicaments if any of you needs them at the time (again first few days might be demanding so that you will not run out of it before you hit the walk in clinic or a proper drug store).
5. basics like toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant... (but nothing beyond what you would take for a 2 weeks holiday).

Everything else is optional and it will be more up to you to take what has nostalgic value for you. 20kg seems to be a lot, except your empty luggage already weights some nice 4-5 kg. So in reality it is not that much.

If ever you will go for any food (in case you have friends and are bringing some gifts), go only for commercially packed non perishable food (like some candies, chocolate, chips or crackers). Those are rather harmless and once you declare them there should be no problem with it.

I agree with you regarding the points you've made. But I also must say that it is convenient too to carry some items for a few weeks when you are new in that place. Also, the Airlines have confirmed that we can carry 2 pieces of 23 Kgs each which means the two of us can have 4 bags up to a total of 92 Kgs for FREE; that's way too much for just clothes and medicines and candies Also, we have already saved a few dollars (I am sure about it) by carrying these essentials. The airlines have also confirmed that WE CAN carry these items.