News Release

Northern Ontario Region

CBSA advises travellers to plan ahead for the busiest weekend of the year

Ottawa, Ontario, August 2, 2012 — The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) reminds travellers to plan their border crossing to avoid delays during this upcoming Civic Holiday weekend.

In previous years, the Civic Holiday weekend has been the busiest of the year in terms of traffic volume. In anticipation of higher traffic volumes and limits to the volume of traffic that can be processed at some ports of entry this weekend, travellers are advised to consider the potential for delays for the following dates and times:

Fort Frances port of entry

Peak traffic volumes are anticipated between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Sunday, August 5, and from 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Monday, August 6, when border wait times may exceed 30 minutes.

Travellers in Northwestern Ontario may also choose to enter Canada via the Rainy River port of entry (peak traffic volumes are anticipated between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Sunday, August 5, and from 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Monday, August 6).

Peak traffic volume information and anticipated border wait times are based on historical data. The CBSA anticipates a 3.6 percent increase in traffic this weekend at the Fort Frances port of entry from previous years based on traffic volume trends to date in 2012. The forecasted traffic volumes may vary depending on numerous factors, including weather conditions.

Pigeon River port of entry

Peak traffic volumes are anticipated between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Monday, August 6, when border wait times may exceed 30 minutes.

Peak traffic volume information and anticipated border wait times are based on historical data. The CBSA anticipates a 1.3 percent increase in traffic this weekend at the Pigeon River port of entry from previous years based on traffic volume trends to date in 2012. The forecasted traffic volumes may vary depending on numerous factors, including weather conditions.

Sault Ste. Marie port of entry

Peak traffic volumes are anticipated between 12 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Friday, August 3, between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday, August 4, between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Sunday, August 5, and between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. on Monday, August 6, when border wait times may exceed 45 minutes.

Peak traffic volume information and anticipated border wait times are based on historical data. The CBSA anticipates a 5.2 percent increase in traffic this weekend at the Sault Ste. Marie port of entry from previous years based on traffic volume trends to date in 2012. The forecasted traffic volumes may vary depending on numerous factors, including weather conditions.

Lansdowne port of entry

Peak traffic volumes are anticipated between 12 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Friday, August 3, between 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturday, August 4, between 2 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Sunday, August 5, and between 12 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Monday, August 6, when border wait times may exceed 45 minutes.

Travellers can also enter Canada via the Cornwall port of entry (peak traffic volumes are anticipated to be between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. on Friday, August 3, between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. on Saturday, August 4, between 12 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Sunday, August 5, and between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. on Monday, August 6, when border wait times may exceed 60 minutes) or the Prescott port of entry (peak traffic volumes are anticipated between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Monday, August 6, when border wait times may exceed 30 minutes).

Peak traffic volume information and anticipated border wait times are based on historical data. Depending on the port of entry, the CBSA anticipates an increase in traffic this weekend of up to 12 percent from previous years based on traffic volume trends to date in 2012. The forecasted traffic volumes may vary depending on numerous factors, including weather conditions.

For more information on border wait times and for instructions on how to receive Twitter messages for border wait times at some ports of entry, visit the CBSA Web site at www.cbsa.gc.ca. You can also visit the Government of Canada Wireless Portal through your Web-enabled mobile device at www.wap.gc.ca or www.gc.ca.

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For media information

Caroline Desjarlais
CBSA Communications
Tel.: 613-991-1591

Travel Tips

To facilitate their entry into Canada, travellers can follow a few easy steps:

Plan your border crossing and be patient

Wait times at border crossings may have increased recently as more travellers take advantage of the higher Canadian dollar to travel to the United States. The CBSA has added resources to process travellers as efficiently as possible; however, some delays may occur due to volume.

Try to plan your border crossing to avoid arriving at the border at peak times. In general, peak times tend to be one and a half hours before and after the lunch hour, between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays, and 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays at most ports of entry.

If you are travelling with a larger group or on a shopping bus, be patient as it will take more time because CBSA officers must process all travellers.

Have proper identification

Make sure you are carrying proper identification for yourself and any children travelling with you in the vehicle. A passport is the preferable piece of identification for entry into Canada. If you are a Canadian or American citizen or a permanent resident of either country, other acceptable identification includes an enhanced driver's licence, a birth certificate with accompanying photo ID such as a regular driver's licence, a permanent resident or green card, a citizenship card or citizenship or naturalization certificate, or a certificate of Indian Status.

Keep in mind that the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) is now in effect. This is a U.S. law requiring all travellers to the United States to present a valid passport or other approved secure document. 

More information is available by visiting the CBSA Web site.

Know your personal exemptions

After an absence of 24 hours, you may bring back $200 worth of goods duty- and tax-free; after 48 hours, your personal exemption will be $800. There are no exemptions for same-day travel.

Alcohol and tobacco can be imported free of duty and taxes only if you have been away at least 48 hours. For amounts allowed and additional information, check the CBSA Web site.

Have your receipts ready

Determine the total amount of purchases for each occupant of the vehicle converted to Canadian funds, and have all your receipts for purchases (and accommodation) in hand to present to the border services officer, when asked, to assist with processing.

Truthfully declare all your purchases regardless if exemptions may apply as there may be enforcement actions taken for undervaluing or not declaring purchases.

You may be required to pay applicable duties and taxes on purchases over your personal exemptions or where no personal exemptions apply.

The CBSA reminds travellers that smuggling, undervaluation and other Customs Act offences may lead to seizure and/or prosecution in a court of law. The CBSA keeps a record of infractions in its computer system. If you have an infraction record, you may have to undergo a more detailed examination on future trips.

Please refer to the I Declare brochure on the CBSA Web site for more information.

New regulations regarding Temporary Resident Permits Issued to foreign nationals who are inadmissible on criminality grounds

New regulations are now in place to facilitate the entry of certain foreign nationals who do not meet the requirements to overcome their criminal inadmissibility to be allowed to enter Canada with a one-time only, fee-exempt temporary resident permit. For more information, please visit the Citizenship and Immigration Canada Web site.

Firewood, firearms and fireworks

The importation of certain goods is restricted or prohibited in Canada. To avoid the possibility of penalties, including seizure or prosecution, make sure you have the information you require before attempting to import these items into Canada. For more information, consult our fact sheets specific to firearms, firewood, and fireworks. Additional information on restricted or prohibited goods can be found in our online publication I Declare.

Additional questions or inspection

The CBSA understands that travellers may feel anxious when crossing the border and wants you to know that secondary referrals should not be viewed as an indication of wrongdoing. They are a normal part of the cross-border travel process, which any returning resident or visitor to Canada may experience. For information on what to expect and what may be asked of you, consult What to Expect: Secondary Services and Inspections.

Client Service feedback

Your feedback is important to us; it has a direct influence on the development and review of our policies and programs. If you have questions, would like clarification, or have feedback about the service you received, please ask to speak with the supervisor on duty before leaving our service area.

You can also submit your comment, complaint, or compliment by completing our online feedback form, which can be found on the Comments, Complaints, and Compliments page on our Web site.

For more information on the programs and services provided by the CBSA, follow us on Twitter (@CanBorder), join us on Facebook or visit our YouTube channel.