OTTAWA,
ON, July 30, 2024 /CNW/ - The Canada Border
Services Agency (CBSA) reminds travellers of what to expect when
crossing the border over the upcoming Civic Holiday long weekend in
Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Manitoba, New
Brunswick, Nova Scotia,
Northwest Territories and
Nunavut.
Every day, the CBSA works hard to protect Canadians, support the
economy and ensure the safe and efficient movement of people and
goods across our borders. In 2023, we welcomed over 86 million
travellers and intercepted more than 72,200 kg of prohibited drugs,
cannabis, narcotics, and chemicals, representing an increase of
close to 30% from 2022.
The CBSA dedicates significant efforts to planning and preparing
for peak periods, including long weekends and summer months. We
monitor traveller volumes and plan to minimize border wait times at
land ports of entry and at international airports, without
compromising safety and security.
Here are some tips to help you plan for your trip:
- Check border wait times and expect delays.
- Early mornings are the best time to cross the border to avoid
wait times.
- The Monday of holiday long weekends tend to be the
busiest.
- Consider an alternative port of entry with shorter wait times
or less traffic.
- Check the port of entry's hours of operation on the official
CBSA Directory of Offices and Services.
- If you are using a GPS application (such as Google Maps, Apple
Maps or Waze) to direct you to a port of entry, consider checking
different navigation options (such as fastest and shortest routes)
to determine the preferred route of travel.
- Have your travel documents handy. This
will speed up processing times at the border.
- Be prepared to declare. Declare everything you have with
you upon entry into Canada. If
arriving by land, you are responsible for everything inside your
vehicle. If you are the operator of a boat entering Canadian waters
with the intent to disembark, you are responsible for reporting
your goods on board.
- Travelling with children? When travelling with a child
who is not your own or for whom you don't have full legal custody,
we recommend you have a consent letter from the parent or legal
guardian authorizing you to travel with the child. We are always
watching for missing children, and in the absence of the letter,
officers may ask additional questions.
- Travelling with pets? Pets must meet specific
requirements to enter Canada.
Review Importing and travelling with pets before leaving.
- Will you be going to the U.S. with a dog? As of
August 1, 2024, there are updated
documentation requirements for all dogs entering the U.S. from
Canada. For more information,
visit Dogs travelling to the United
States.
- Flying into Canada? Use
Advance Declaration and make your customs and immigration
declaration up to 72 hours in advance of your arrival into
Canada at participating
airports.
- Entering Canada by
boat? You must report to the CBSA without delay. Review
reporting requirements for private boaters before making travel
plans.
- Are you towing or transporting a watercraft or any
water-related equipment (canoe, paddleboard, etc.) into
Canada? If so, these items
must be clean, dry, and free of any aquatic invasive plants or
species. Learn more: Clean, Drain, Dry and Decontaminate.
Are you bringing any of the following into Canada?
- Food, plant, or animal products: Consult the Automated
Import Reference System (AIRS) before bringing any food, plant, or
animal products into Canada.
- Poultry products: Be sure to review current restrictions
on poultry and birds from the United
States before bringing these products across the border.
Homemade food or leftovers containing poultry cannot be brought
into Canada.
- Fireworks: Consult Importing, exporting and transporting
fireworks to ensure that the fireworks you are bringing in are
authorized.
- Medication: Make sure you understand your
responsibilities when travelling with medication.
- Firewood: Firewood from outside of Canada is not permitted as it may contain
diseases or invasive insects. Buy local and burn local.
- Goods purchased abroad: If you are a Canadian resident,
personal exemptions allow you to bring goods (up to a certain
value), back to Canada without
paying regular duty and taxes, including alcohol and tobacco.
- Make sure know how much you are bringing back in Canadian
dollars and have your receipts readily available for the
officer.
- Use the CBSA duty and taxes estimator to help estimate the
amounts owed on goods purchased abroad.
Restricted and prohibited goods:
Make sure you review the necessary information before attempting
to bring certain items into Canada. If not, you risk having
your goods seized or facing fines and prosecution.
- Firearms: Leave them at home. You are encouraged not to
travel with firearms. If you choose to do so, be sure to check the
rules on importing firearms.
- Weapons: Restricted and prohibited goods include pepper
spray, switchblades, and butterfly knives.
- Narcotics: Narcotics such as cocaine and heroin
are illegal in Canada. If you are
found to be in possession of illegal drugs (on your person, in your
vehicle, or in your luggage) you will be arrested and may be
charged. The drugs will be seized.
- Cannabis: Don't bring it in. Don't take it out. While
cannabis is legal in Canada,
bringing it across the border in any form, including oils
containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or cannabidiol (CBD), without
a permit or exemption authorized by Health Canada is a serious
criminal offence subject to arrest and prosecution. A medical
prescription from a doctor does not count as Health Canada
authorization.
Not sure? Ask a CBSA officer. The best way to save
time is to be open and honest with the border services officer. If
you are not sure about what to declare, don't hesitate to ask!
For more information, visit the CBSA Website or call
us at 1-800-461-9999.
Associated links
- Plan your trip across the border
- Residents returning to Canada
- Border reminder checklist
- Advance Declaration video
SOURCE Canada Border Services Agency