A bonded truck headed for Campobello Island was denied entry at the Canada–U.S. International Border Tuesday because it was carrying “over 1,000 bottles of spirits within the shipment.” 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 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. 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. The private ferry, however, is scheduled to cease operations for the season on Oct. 12 as it can’t handle rough winter crossings. 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. With files from The Canadian Press. For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
