The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) reminds travelers to plan ahead this May long weekend. At the Emerson border crossing, Victoria Day is a busy day of the year and the CBSA is expecting higher traffic volumes throughout the weekend. The Emerson port of entry is open 24/7 and has the greatest capacity to process large volumes of travelers: during peak hours, all primary inspection lanes will be open and operating at maximum capacity.
Here are more smart crossing tips:
Beat the border rush – cross at a non-peak time
Manitobans choose a variety of routes to return to Canada. While Emerson is the busiest port of entry, several other border crossings will see a significant number of travelers over the holiday weekend. Try to plan crossing the border in the morning, especially if you cross on Sunday or Monday. Most lineups at the border start building in the afternoon and carry on throughout the evening. You can use Border Wait Times services to check lineups at Emerson.
Keep travel documents handy – an officer will scan them
One of the best ways your family can save time returning to Canada is to make sure each passenger has the correct travel document handy and ready to give to the CBSA officer. A passport is the best bet. If you prefer to travel light while on the road, an enhanced driver’s licence might be for you. Other acceptable forms of ID include: birth certificates with accompanying photo ID such as regular driver’s licences; permanent resident cards; citizenship cards or certificates of Indian status.
Know your purchases, know where your receipts are and know your exemptions and restrictions
If your family has made purchases in the United States, mailed gifts, or made major repairs or upgrades to your vehicle or boat, you will need to declare the total value of your purchases and back your claim with the receipts. Each traveler is entitled to certain personal exemptions on items like alcohol and tobacco depending on the length of your visit, and this can save you money. Remember that all raw poultry, poultry products and by-products that are not fully cooked, including eggs and raw pet foods originating from several states are prohibited from entering Canada until further notice. For more information on the current avian influenza outbreak, please visit the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s website at www.inspection.gc.ca. Also remember that some goods will always be restricted in Canada, such as firearms. It is the responsibility of all travelers to learn about the requirements to import a firearm into Canada. All travelers must declare any firearms in their possession when they enter Canada.Take the time to know what you’re bringing back to Canada, and that time will pay dividends at the border.
Know the contents of your vehicles
Empty the junk from your trunk! It’s as important to declare certain items in your vehicle and/or boat when you return to Canada. For example, if you have food tucked away in coolers or organic items such as soil (for example, in a bait container) or firewood, be sure you tell the CBSA officer. These kinds of products are easily forgotten when you are crossing, but could potentially create health and environmental problems for Canada.
Not sure – ask the CBSA officer
The single best thing you can do to save time returning to Canada is to simply be open and honest with the CBSA officer. If you are not sure about what to declare, don’t hesitate to ask. The officers are there to help you.
The CBSA encourages all Canadian residents to be border-savvy travelers and save time this long weekend by making a smooth return a “must-have” part of holiday itineraries.
