Canada border rules: What you need to know if you're going to the U.S. now

The Canada Day long weekend is upon us, along with Independence Days south of the border, and the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) wants travellers to know the best way to keep things running smoothly.

The CBSA shared a series of tips to those heading in and out of town, in order to minimize wait times and other potential slow downs that are known to arise.

• Don’t forget any relevant travel documents, like a Canadian passport, Canadian birth certificate, permanent residents card, citizenship card or Secure Certificate of Indian Status (SCIS) card or valid Certificate of Indian Status (CIS) card. Click here to learn more about the types of ID that can be used at the Canadian border.

• The best way to avoid long delays at the border is to check the border wait times website ahead of time. The CBSA recommends travelling across the border during slower hours, like early mornings. The Monday of long holiday weekends are generally the busiest day to travel, with the longest wait times, so it’s recommended to travel on another day.

• Next, check the official CBSA Directory of Offices and Services for a port’s entry hours of operations.

• Advance Declaration is strongly recommended for travellers looking to save time and is available at most major international airports, like Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Winnipeg, Halifax, Québec City, Ottawa, Billy Bishop, Calgary and Edmonton. This handy option allows travellers to fill out their customs and immigration declaration to the CBSA before arrival. Then, they can use the express lanes to get to an airport kiosk or eGate quicker.

• Those travelling with children are encouraged to bring consent letter that authorizes them to travel with the child, if they are in a shared custody agreement or not the parent or legal guardian. Those without such a letter may be subject to additional questioning from officers.

• For those travelling stateside for shopping trips, be familiar with exemption limits. Whether you’re heading out to shop or picking up online purchases from outside Canada, it’s best to get familiar with personal exemption limits. There’s even a CBSA duty and taxes estimator that can help calculate any monies owed.

• Also declare goods upon entry into Canada. For those returning from the U.S., be prepared to have your receipts available for anything that was bought or received while outside the country.

• While cannabis is legal in Canada and certain (but not all) U.S. states, do not travel with any form of the substance. Bringing weed across the border, including products that contain THC or CBD oils, without a permit or exemption authorized by Health Canada is considered a serious criminal office. Those caught travelling with such substances are subject to arrest and prosecution. Medical prescription from a doctor does not count as Health Canada authorization.

• The CBSA encourages Canadians not to travel with firearms, but if you do, be sure to review their website for rules on importing them and other restricted and prohibited goods.

• Fireworks are a popular feature on Canada Day but if you’re thinking of bringing some into the country, be sure to consult on importing or exporting fireworks to verify that the ones you have are authorized.

• For boaters planning to travel in or near Canadian waters, or sail into Canada by boat, it’s important to review Reporting requirements for private boaters ahead of making plans, and report to the CBSA as soon as possible

• Don’t forget to declare any foods, plants, or animals. Review the Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website before bringing any food, plant, and animal products into Canada.

• On a related note, in light of Avian flu, be aware of what poultry products or by-products you can import. There are currently conditions and restrictions that may apply for some live birds, bird products and by-products imported from U.S. states affected by Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. To check the latest go to Information for travellers: Restrictions on poultry and birds from the United States before bringing these products into Canada. Be ready to prove the origin of your poultry product at the border.