Plan before you pack
Before you bring back a souvenir from a trip outside of Canada, ask yourself: can I pack that?
It is important to know that the items you bring back can pose a risk to Canada's environment, people and animals.
- Food can be contaminated with hazards that present a risk to human health
- Animals and animal products can carry diseases that affect animals and humans
- Plants can carry invasive species that harm the environment
Learn how you can do your part in keeping Canada safe.
Food
Bringing food back from your travels can be a great way to enjoy unique flavours. However, some foods may introduce plant, animal and food-borne diseases into Canada that can affect the health of our environment and economy. Find out what food you can bring into Canada.
For example, African swine fever (ASF) is a foreign animal disease that can spread through contaminated pork and pork products. To help protect Canada, always declare what you bring back, and don't pack pork. Learn how you can help protect our pigs.
Other serious animal diseases include foot and mouth disease (FMD), which can be transmitted to livestock including pigs, wild boar, cows, sheep, goats and other animals. There are restrictions for meat, dairy and other animal products coming from countries that are not recognized to be free from FMD.
Animals
When travelling with your pet or bringing an animal into Canada, be aware of the requirements to avoid delays at the border. These requirements protect Canada's people and animals from serious diseases. Find out what you need before you travel with your dog.
If you have visited a country that has an outbreak of avian influenza, you may unintentionally put Canadian livestock and poultry at risk. Remember to declare all farm visits at the border when you return to Canada.
Plants
Canada's plants are vulnerable to diseases and invasive pests that can be brought into the country unknowingly by travellers. This can be through seeds, soil, wood packaging and other contaminated plant products. These pests can affect crops across the country and be harmful to our ecosystems.
Did you know that bringing back wooden souvenirs may have a harmful effect on our environment?
Additional resources
- Bringing in plants and plant products
- Limits to bringing in food for personal use
- Travel requirements for other animals
- Tips for avoiding problems at the border
- Search the Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) to learn what you can bring into Canada
- Foot and mouth disease - Information for travellers