Canada Border Services Agency offers essential tips for smooth and secure border crossings this Easter weekend

Friday, March 22, 2024

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is offering advice to travellers on navigating border crossings during the upcoming Easter long weekend.

Dedicated to ensuring the security and prosperity of Canada, the CBSA diligently works to facilitate the smooth flow of individuals and commodities across the nation’s frontiers. In the previous year, the agency welcomed upwards of 86,000 visitors and successfully intercepted over 72,200 kilograms of unauthorized substances, marking an increase of nearly 30% from the prior year.

To accommodate the surge in travel during holidays and peak times, the CBSA proactively plans and strategizes to keep border delays to a minimum at all entry points, including airports, all while maintaining high safety and security standards.

Here’s some guidance to help streamline your border crossing experience:

• Plan your journey with potential delays in mind and stay informed about the wait times at the border. For land crossings, aim for early morning hours or times outside the peak period to avoid long waits, especially on the Monday of a long weekend.

• If you’re traveling with children, especially in cases of shared custody or when you’re not the parent or legal guardian, carrying a consent letter is advisable to smooth the process. Border officials are vigilant about child safety and may ask for additional documentation in the absence of such a letter.

• Keep your travel documents within easy reach, regardless of your mode of transportation, to expedite the processing.

• Utilize the Advance Declaration option available at several major Canadian airports (Toronto, Vancouver, Montréal, Winnipeg, Halifax, Québec City, Ottawa, Billy Bishop, Calgary, and Edmonton) to declare customs and immigration details up to 72 hours before arrival, potentially halving your wait time at kiosks or eGates.

• Be ready to declare all items. Returning residents should have purchase receipts handy, and all travellers must know their vehicle’s contents. Avoid traveling with firearms, but if necessary, familiarize yourself with the importation rules for firearms and other restricted items.

• Check regulations before bringing food products, especially for religious observances, by consulting the Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s website.

• For poultry products, ensure they are for human consumption, commercially packaged, and labeled as “Product of the USA.” Homemade poultry items are not permitted. Always verify the latest restrictions regarding poultry and bird products from the United States.

• Know your exemption limits for alcohol, tobacco, and other goods when making purchases or collecting online orders abroad. Use the CBSA’s duty and taxes estimator for an idea of potential expenses. Easter chocolates are permissible within personal use and weight limits.

• Visitors can bring gifts, provided they declare them. Information on gift declarations can be found on the CBSA website.

• Cannabis, in any form, is prohibited from crossing the border without Health Canada authorization. This includes medicinal cannabis.

• When traveling with medication or traditional Indigenous medicines, understand your obligations and the applicable regulations.

• If bringing pets or importing animals into Canada, ensure you have the correct documentation to comply with Canada’s import requirements.

• When in doubt, consult a CBSA officer. Honesty and compliance with their instructions can significantly expedite your process. For further inquiries, reach out to the Border Information Service (BIS) line within Canada at 1-800-461-9999.

For more detailed information and planning resources, refer to the CBSA’s provided links for trip planning, returning residents, border reminder checklist, and the Advance Declaration tutorial.

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