Are you planning a trip to Canada and wondering if you can bring back some delicious beef jerky to the US?
Or maybe you’re a Canadian looking to bring some jerky on your next flight to the States.
Either way, it’s important to know the rules and regulations surrounding the transportation of meat products across borders.
In this article, we’ll explore what types of meats are allowed, what documentation is required, and whether or not beef jerky makes the cut.
So sit back, relax, and let’s dive into the world of meat transportation!
Can You Bring Beef Jerky Into The US From Canada?
The short answer is yes, you can bring beef jerky into the US from Canada. However, there are some important rules and regulations to keep in mind.
Firstly, it’s important to note that Canada does not allow the transportation of fresh, dried, or cured meats into the country. So if you’re a US citizen traveling to Canada, you won’t be able to bring any beef jerky with you.
But if you’re a Canadian looking to bring beef jerky back from the US, you’re in luck. The US allows travelers to bring up to 50 pounds of meat (total) of certain types of fresh, cooked, cured, or dried meats from Canada. This includes beef, bison, veal, sheep (lamb, mutton), goat, swine, and camelid.
However, it’s important to note that the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) does not allow travelers to bring back most cattle, swine, sheep, or goat meat or meat products from countries affected with certain serious livestock diseases. These diseases include foot-and-mouth disease, bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), swine vesicular disease, classical swine fever, and African swine fever.
To ensure that your beef jerky is allowed into the US, make sure it meets the following criteria:
– It must be commercially packaged and labeled.
– It must not contain any meat products from countries affected by serious livestock diseases.
– It must not contain any soil or other organic material.
– It must not be homemade or freshly prepared.
If your beef jerky meets these criteria and is for personal use only, you should have no problem bringing it into the US from Canada.
The Rules And Regulations For Transporting Meat Products Across Borders
When it comes to transporting meat products across borders, there are several rules and regulations that travelers need to be aware of. Generally speaking, the importation of fresh, dried, or canned meats or meat products is not allowed from most foreign countries into the United States. This includes products that have been prepared with meat.
However, travelers may bring back certain pet food, chews, and treats from Canada under certain conditions. The items must be in unopened retail packaging. If the items are raw (not shelf-stable without refrigeration), dehydrated, freeze-dried, or sun-dried, then the items must be labeled as a product of Canada or the U.S. If you are traveling back from Canada by land, there is a limit of 50 lbs per vehicle. If you are traveling back from Canada by air, the limit is 20 lbs per family.
In addition to these rules, there are also specific guidelines for transporting other food items across borders. Generally speaking, processed items are less of a problem than raw foods. However, it is still important to declare everything. The following items are usually allowed, as long as they’re for personal use:
– Baked goods: Bread, crackers, etc. Dry baking mixes are usually accepted if they’re in their original commercial packaging.
– Butter
– Candy: Chocolate and other solid desserts are typically allowed.
– Cheese: As long as it’s solid and doesn’t contain meat products.
– Condiments: Foods like ketchup, mustard, Vegemite, etc. – as long as they do not contain meat products.
– Flour
– Juice: As long as it’s commercially packaged. Fresh squeezed or homemade juice is more likely to be judged like fresh fruit.
– Milk products for infants: Liquid milk and milk products are typically restricted but are permitted for the purpose of feeding infants and very young children.
– Mushrooms: As long as there’s no soil on them.
– Noodles and ramen: As long as there are no animal products.
– Nuts: These are allowed as long as they’re prepared in some way, like roasting or boiling.
– Oil: Olive and other vegetable oils.
– Spices: Most dried spices are allowed, except for leaves and seeds of citrus fruits and seeds of many fruits and vegetables.
– Tea: If it’s commercially packaged and ready for personal use, it will likely be allowed.
It’s important to note that nearly all fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables are prohibited from entering the US due to risks of pests and diseases. Even the fruits and vegetable snacks provided on an airplane or cruise ship should be left behind. Travelers crossing a land border into the United States from Canada can bring some fresh fruits and vegetables – as long as they were grown in Canada.
What Types Of Meats Are Allowed Into The US From Canada?
When it comes to meats, the US allows travelers to bring in certain types of fresh, cooked, cured, or dried meats from Canada. These include beef, bison, veal, sheep (lamb, mutton), goat, swine, and camelid. However, it’s important to note that there are restrictions in place to prevent the spread of serious livestock diseases. The USDA does not allow travelers to bring back most cattle, swine, sheep, or goat meat or meat products from countries affected with certain serious livestock diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease, BSE, swine vesicular disease, classical swine fever, and African swine fever. It’s crucial to check the country of origin and ensure that the meat product does not come from an affected area. Additionally, the meat must be commercially packaged and labeled, free from soil or other organic material and not homemade or freshly prepared. By following these guidelines, travelers can bring their favorite meats from Canada into the US without any issues.
Required Documentation For Transporting Meat Products
When transporting meat products into the US from Canada, travelers are not required to have an import permit or any special documentation. However, it is important to declare all agricultural products on your US Customs forms and present them to the US Customs and Border Protection officer upon arrival.
US agricultural inspectors will examine your items to ensure that they meet entry requirements and do not harbor harmful foreign pests or diseases. It is recommended that travelers keep receipts and original packaging of agricultural products as proof of their country of origin.
If you are transporting personal-use amounts of cervid meat (deer, elk, moose, caribou), including hunter-harvested cervid meat, you must present evidence that the product is cervid meat, such as a valid hunting license or commercially prepared labels found on unopened packages or other official documents.
It’s important to note that non-ambulatory disabled cattle are banned from slaughter in Canadian registered establishments eligible for export to the US. If any non-ambulatory cattle are on the premises of a registered establishment eligible to export to the US, they must be euthanized on site for humane reasons.
Does Beef Jerky Make The Cut?
When it comes to selecting the best meat for beef jerky, there are a few cuts that stand out. Top Round, Bottom Round, Lifter, and Pectoral are all excellent choices due to their economical price point, lean meat, and full flavor. However, other cuts such as Flank Steak and Skirt Steak can also be used to make delicious jerky.
It’s important to choose a well-trimmed, lean cut of meat when making beef jerky, as fat does not dry out and can accelerate spoilage. Eye of Round Roast is an ideal choice as it’s affordable, accessible, lean, and easy to trim. Before slicing the meat, freeze it for 1-2 hours to make it easier to cut.
When slicing the meat, look for the grain and cut against it for a tender texture. Aim for slices around one-quarter to one-third of an inch in thickness for uniformity. If you struggle with cutting evenly, consider investing in a home meat slicer.
If you’re looking for a rough and rugged texture in your beef jerky, Bottom Round is the cut of meat to select. While tougher than Top Round, it’s even more flavorful and not so chewy that it will cause jaw muscle ache. Bottom Round is also ultra-lean and extremely filling.
Ultimately, the best cut of meat for beef jerky is a matter of preference. Regardless of which cut you choose, be sure to start with a well-trimmed, lean piece of meat and slice it against the grain for optimal texture.
Tips For Safely Transporting Meat Products Across Borders
When it comes to transporting meat products across borders, it’s important to be aware of the rules and regulations in place to ensure the safety of both humans and animals. Here are some tips for safely transporting meat products across borders:
1. Check the regulations: Before attempting to transport any meat products across a border, it’s important to check the regulations in place for both the country of origin and the destination country. These regulations can vary depending on the type of meat product and the countries involved.
2. Use commercially packaged and labeled products: To ensure that your meat products meet the regulations in place, it’s best to use commercially packaged and labeled products. Homemade or freshly prepared meat products may not be allowed across certain borders.
3. Avoid meat products from countries affected by serious livestock diseases: Many countries have restrictions in place for importing meat products from countries affected by serious livestock diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease, BSE, swine vesicular disease, classical swine fever, and African swine fever.
4. Ensure no soil or organic material is present: Meat products should be free from any soil or other organic material that could potentially harbor pests or diseases.
5. Keep receipts and original packaging: It’s important to keep receipts and original packaging to prove the country of origin of your meat products.
By following these tips, you can safely transport meat products across borders without running afoul of regulations or risking the spread of disease.
