A truck headed to Campobello Island, N.B., was denied entry at the Canada–U.S. International Border Tuesday because U.S. Customs and Border Protection says it was carrying “over 1,000 bottles of spirits within the shipment.” Vikas Vakkanti, manager of Campobello Value Foods, says the truck held $20,000 in liquor destined for his store. “It’s so frustrating because the only way to get back to your country is just going through the U.S.,” he said. Vakkanti doesn’t know whether future shipments will make it. He estimates it costs an extra $450 to ship via ferry and says he’s spending more than he’s making. If he must go through the ferry only, Vakkanti says he’ll have to go without certain things like dairy and alcohol or consider closing. “If that keeps happening, you can’t sustain a business like that,” he said. Held up at the border The truck was stopped as it tried to cross into the United States at the St. Stephen–Calais crossing. “Under recent presidential proclamations that took effect on Sept. 29, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time, specific Canadian alcoholic beverages are restricted from entering or transiting through the territory of the United States,” reads a statement to CTV News from a spokesperson with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). “Because the cargo fell within the scope of these new restrictions, it could no longer proceed under its intended in-bond transit status.” CBP says the truck was denied entry into the United States and was permitted to return directly to Canada. ‘I don’t think they’ve followed the procedure’ Campobello Island is a Canadian island located off the coast of Maine. It can be accessed year-round by bridge via Lubec, Maine — about 80 kilometres by road from the St. Stephen-Calais border crossing – or seasonally by ferry. After being refused entry into the U.S., the truck boarded a provincial government ferry to Deer Island, N.B., where a privately run ferry carried it to Campobello Island. The private ferry, however, is scheduled to cease operations for the season on Oct. 12 as it can’t handle rough winter crossings. New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt says there are talks about extending the ferry season. Holt says she’s speaking with Canadian and American officials to try and sort the situation out. “I don’t think they’ve followed the procedure as we understand it, in terms of the ways that you get Canadian goods to Canadians,” she said. “I’m hoping that somebody will realize that the little bit of product that goes to Campobello won’t fight the two countries’ trade wars,” added Harvey Matthews, mayor of Campobello Island. John Williamson, Member of Parliament for the riding of New Brunswick Southwest, said in a social media post Tuesday the truck typically travels to the island every weekday under a special Canada Border Services Agency licence to service its less than 1,000 residents. The truck is sealed with a customs tag guarantying it will not stop on the way to the island. It typically carries items like the community’s Canada Post mail along with items on U.S. government’s banned import list, such as milk. “The Government of Canada is assessing the implications of the new U.S. import restrictions for this supply route and is working with partners, including relevant U.S. authorities and the Government of New Brunswick to determine next steps support reliable access to essential goods, services and mail for the residents of Campobello Island,” the Privy Council Office said in an email. With files from The Canadian Press For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
