CBSA revealed travel advice you need to know if you're crossing the border for March Break

Check border wait times

Since March Break is a peak travel period, CBSA said to expect delays.

You should check border wait times before travelling and during your drive.

Early mornings are the best time to cross the Canada-U.S. border to avoid wait times.

Not all border crossings are open 24/7, so you also need to check the hours of operation on the official CBSA Directory of Offices and Services.

If you check the border wait time online and it's busy, CBSA recommends that you consider an alternative port of entry with shorter wait times or less traffic.

Also, you should check different routes while using Google Maps, Apple Maps and Waze, like fastest and shortest routes to speed up your trip.

Have your travel documents ready

Having your travel documents ready will make processing times at the border faster.

Travel documents include your Canadian passport, NEXUS card, Canadian permanent residence card, driver's licence, and more.

Know what goods are restricted or prohibited

There are a lot of restricted and prohibited goods that you can't bring across the Canada-U.S. border.

CBSA said to review the necessary information about restricted and prohibited items before attempting to bring them into Canada.

If you don't, those items could be seized and you could face fines and prosecution.

Even if you think something is allowed, like food products, it's best to check as there are restrictions on food, plants, consumer products, and more.

Also, if you take medication that includes a narcotic or controlled drug, you must meet certain terms and conditions to bring them across the border.

Leave firearms, weapons, narcotics and cannabis at home

Firearms, weapons, narcotics and cannabis should be left at home when travelling across the Canada-U.S. border, CBSA said.

Even though firearms can be brought across the border, it's recommended that you don't travel with firearms.

Restricted and prohibited weapons include pepper spray, switchblades, and butterfly knives.

Narcotics like cocaine and heroin are illegal in Canada. If you're found to have illegal drugs — either on your person, in your vehicle, or in your luggage — the drugs will be seized, you'll be arrested and you could be charged.

Even though cannabis is legal in Canada, bringing it across the border without a permit or exemption authorized by Health Canada is a criminal offence. That includes oils containing THC or CBD.

You could be arrested and prosecuted.

A medical prescription from a doctor does not count as Health Canada authorization.

Be prepared to declare

When returning to Canada, you need to be ready to declare everything you have with you to customs officials.

If you're crossing a land border, you're responsible for everything inside your vehicle.

If you're flying into Canada, you can use Advance Declaration to make your customs and immigration declaration up to 72 hours before you arrive at a Canadian airport.

Residents of Canada are allowed personal exemptions to bring goods (including alcohol and tobacco up to a certain value) purchased abroad back to Canada without paying duty and taxes.

But you need to know how much you are bringing back in Canadian dollars and have your receipts ready to show the CBSA border services officer.

Have necessary documents for children

When travelling with a child, you should:

• carry copies of any legal custody documents, such as custody rights (if applicable)
• arrive at the border in the same vehicle as the child

If the child isn't your own or you don't have full legal custody, CBSA recommends that you have a consent letter from the parent or legal guardian authorizing you to travel with the child.

A consent letter must include the following information for the custodial parents or legal guardians:

• full name
• address
• telephone number

To avoid delays, you should have the consent letter notarized to prove its authenticity.

Border services officers always look for missing children and may ask questions about any minors travelling with you.

So, if you don't have the proper documentation, you could have to spend longer than usual at the border crossing.

Know requirements for travelling with pets

Pets must meet specific requirements to enter Canada, so you should review the requirements for travelling with pets before leaving.

You'll need to provide certain paperwork at the border to meet Canada's import requirements.

When crossing the border from Canada to the U.S. with a dog, you must have certain documentation depending on if the dog has been in a dog-rabies free or low-risk country or a high-risk country in the last six months.

If you don't have the necessary documents, you risk experiencing delays at the border.

Also, your animal may not be allowed into Canada or the U.S., which could significantly delay your trip if you need to bring the pet back home.