If you are planning a trip to Canada any time soon, there are certain things you should know about crossing the border. The official website of the Government of Canada provides a checklist of reminders for crossing the border.
It is always best to plan ahead. One thing you can do is check border wait times . You should also check the official CBSA Directory of Offices and Services for port of entry hours of operation. Weekend evenings and the Monday of a holiday weekend are when the border wait times are the longest, so this is something to keep in mind and to plan around. You should also consider crossing at the least busy port of entry in the area. If you are using a GPS system to guide you to a port of entry, consider checking different navigation options, such as fastest and/or shortest routes. This will make your travels easier and faster.
Canada’s official government website says, “When you arrive at a port of entry, follow the signs to the first checkpoint, also called “primary inspection.” A border services officer will check your identification and other travel documents and you will answer their questions truthfully.”
Make sure you have all of your travel documents handy. You will need proper identification for yourself and any children or minors with you. A passport is also recommended because it’s reliable and it’s the only universally-accepted travel and identification document intended for international travel. When traveling with children, you will need a signed consent letter to show the officers. This consent letter proves that a child has permission to travel into and outside of Canada from every parent or guardian who will not be with them on the trip.
If you are traveling with a pet, you will need to have their paperwork handy unless they are a service animal. Canada’s government website has more detailed information for crossing the border with your pet(s).
One thing you will need to be prepared to do is make a full and accurate declaration of your goods. This includes all purchases, food, plant and animal products, all money and currency over $10,000 (Canadian dollars), and any firearms or weapons. Visitors to Canada can bring certain goods into Canada for personal use as baggage. Personal baggage includes clothing, camping and sports equipment, cameras and personal computers, etc . You must also declare any gifts. If each gift is under $60 (Canadian dollars), you won't have to pay duties or taxes, however the gifts cannot be tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, or advertising matter. Do not wrap your gifts in case border services need to inspect the items. You should check the Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) before bringing any food, plant, and animal products into Canada. Always make sure your purchases or items coming into Canada are not on the list of restricted and prohibited goods .
You must declare all money or currency equal to or greater than $10,000 (Canadian dollars). While it’s not illegal to bring such amounts of money into Canada, you must declare it upon arrival and/or departure from Canada. Read more about this on their website .
It is also required that you declare all firearms or weapons you have with you. Failure to do this means border services officers may seize the weapons and even file criminal charges. Most weapons are prohibited from entering Canada. This even includes tasers, pepper spray, and certain knives. Check the CBSA website for detailed rules on importing firearms and other restricted and prohibited items .
If you are unsure of what to declare, ask a border services officer. They are there to help.
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If you have any questions regarding crossing the border into Canada, contact border information services .
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