Canadians -- you now need special approval to mail food to USA

[Lisa]

I wasn't sure whether this belonged in LBN or here ... the law takes effect on the 12th, but the press release came out late last month.

"Effective December 12, 2003 Prior Notice is required for every food type shipment for consumption in the United States. All food type shipments, regardless of value, sold or sent as a gift, will require a United States Customs entry Prior Notice and approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before the item leaves Canada. Any food type package sent to the U.S.A. that does not have the pre-approved FDA label attached will be returned to sender at the sender's expense."


http://www.canadapost.ca/business/corporate/about/newsroom/pr/default-e.asp?prid=966

The clerk at the post office informed me today, when he saw I was mailing packages to the US. This applies to all commercially-packaged edibles. Reason cited is "preventing bioterrorism".

Now, I've gone to this post office for 10 years. The guys there have never expressed any political opinions ... but today, they were shaking their heads. One said, "I guess Homeland Security thinks that terrorists don't know how to bake cookies" (since the law doesn't cover homemade food).

Rats. So I can't send the smoked salmon, chocolates, etc. I had packaged up for my friends in California, NYC, and the Deep South ...

[Art_from_Ark]

1. Hey, Lisa

You can send some delicious BC smoked salmon my way! :9 No problem clearing Japanese customs!

[October]

5. Thanks Lisa

Lisa, thanks for posting.

I'm aware of this issue because I order specialty foods from Canada every month! We just received our "last" shipment yesterday. (Unless they change this new law.)

My husband/children have Celiac Disease and cannot eat/tolerate gluten. There are a lot of wonderful companies in the US from which we order ingredients (flours, etc.) -- but there's only one company that makes fabulous gluten-free bagels and donuts, and they're in Canada.

We're seriously bummed.

[Liberal Veteran]

2. What's really insane about this...

Is the fact that it is MORE likely a terrorist would use homemade foodstuffs to conduct a bioterror attack rather than a sealed pre-packaged item.

[morningglory]

3. Drat! Just when we need some food down here... n/t

[October]

7. Read my other post...

There are a lot of super food companies in Canada -- for those of us with special needs.

[rucky]

4. It's probably from the BSE scare awhile back

n/t

[eleny]

6. Does this apply to all foreign countries?

[brainshrub]

8. I swear...the OHS are a bunch of ass-monkeys. (nt)

[Lisa]

9. may be related to this new USDA policy?

http://www.usda.gov/homelandsecurity/factsheet0603.pdf

Thanks for posting, everyone ... on my way in to work I was wondering whether the Canada Post clerk and I were the only ones who had issues with this! Evidently not.

Our office manager, an American expat, looked at the press release and muttered something about how Bush had promised more open borders, freer trade, and friendship with other countries. (She supported Gore but is a conservative Dem who was willing to give Bush a chance. Not any longer.)

Y'know, if I have to resort to sending out stuff I make myself ... it's not going to be a pretty sight! Maybe I should mail Dubya one of my cakes -- I'm not great on the measurement thing, so they either burst out of the pan or fail to rise at all. They're so ugly, the entire USA will be begging me to send professionally-made food instead.

Seriously -- I hope that the retailers who are currently importing Canadian foods, e.g. the low-gluten bread, won't be discouraged by this.

[HEyHEY]

10. I'll just keep all these Aero bars for myself then

[Andy_Stephenson]

11. You live in Vancouver?

If so when I am up there next...I would be more than happy to pick up the items and send them from a stateside Post Office.

[Lisa]

12. Thanks for offering!

But I've decided to substitute inedible -- no, not stuff I baked -- gifts this year.

A little while ago I picked up a couple of George W. Bush lawn ornaments from this company, across town. Throw in Franken or Ivins's latest books, and I'm ready to ship before the weekend!

http://www.castartstudios.com/Products/bush.htm


He looks particularly festive with a little Santa Claus hat taped to his head. Heh, heh.