Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) have compiled a list of travel tips for Canadians when they cross the border this March Break.
The CBSA prepares for peak travelling periods and invests important planning to ensure days go smoothly, including long weekends and holidays. Traveller volumes are monitored by officers as they work to minimize border wait times at entry points, without compromising safety and security. This also applies to international airports.
Taking into account March Break is one of the busiest travel times of the year, the CBSA have issued the following tips to help travellers get to and from their destinations a little less stressful.
Plan ahead
Expect delays and check border wait times. Travellers crossing the border by land are encouraged to cross during non-peak hours such as early mornings.
Have documents for children
When travelling with children, it is recommended that the accompanying adult have a consent letter authorizing them to travel with the child if they share custody or are not the parent or legal guardian. Border services officers are always watching for missing children, and in the absence of the letter, officers may ask additional questions.
Have your travel documents handy
Whether travelling by land, air or water, travellers can help speed up processing times by always coming prepared with their travel documents.
Save time with Advance Declaration
You can make your customs and immigration declaration up to 72 hours in advance of your arrival into Canada at the Toronto, Vancouver, Montréal, Winnipeg, Halifax, Québec City, Ottawa, Billy Bishop, Calgary and Edmonton international airports. Data shows that using this tool cuts your time at a kiosk or eGate by up to 50 per cent.
Be prepared to declare
All travellers must declare their goods upon entry into Canada. For returning residents, have your receipts readily available for goods purchased or received while outside of Canada.
RELATED: Cocaine worth $9 million seized by Canadian border officers
Travellers should be aware of everything that is inside their vehicle and are responsible for its contents. You are encouraged not to travel with firearms, but if you choose to do so, be sure to check the rules on importing firearms and other restricted and prohibited goods, which includes pepper spray and certain knives.
Know your exemption limits
Returning residents planning to make purchases or pick up online purchases across the border should be aware of their personal exemption limits, including alcohol and tobacco. You are encouraged to use the CBSA duty and taxes estimator to help you calculate monies owed on goods purchased abroad.
Don’t travel with cannabis
Bringing cannabis 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, despite the legalization of cannabis in Canada. A medical prescription from a doctor does not count as Health Canada authorization.
Indigenous medicines and ceremonial goods
Bringing traditional Indigenous medicines or ceremonial goods to Canada? Medicines such as sage, cedar, sweetgrass, peyote and tobacco are recognized as sacred items and can be brought across the border by Indigenous Peoples in Canada. However, plant materials are subject to regulations and inspections.
Have paperwork for pets
If you are travelling with a pet or planning to import an animal into Canada, you will need the right paperwork at the border to meet Canada’s import requirements.
Over 86,000,000 travellers were welcomed in Canada in 2023 and 72,200 kilograms of drugs, cannabis, narcotics, and chemicals were confiscated, which was an increase of 29 per cent from 2022.
Do you have March Break travel tips? Tell us in the comments below or on our Facebook page.
