Canada Border Services Agency Tips for Long Weekend Travel

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has issued a reminder for travellers of what to expect when crossing the border ahead of the long weekend and tips to help plan for a smooth 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 include firearms, weapons (including pepper spray, switchblades, and butterfly knives), narcotics, and cannabis. Make sure you review the necessary information before attempting to bring these items into Canada or risk having your goods sized or face fines and prosecution.

For more information, visit the CBSA Website or call us at 1-800-461-9999.

Media Contact
Canada Border Services Agency
[email protected]
1 (877) 761-5945