The government has issued new travel advice for Canadians going abroad this May long weekend

Expect busy border crossings

The CBSA says the Victoria Day long weekend is one of the busiest times for travel. And with Memorial Day also coming up in the U.S., that's a double whammy for traffic. If you're driving across the Canada-U.S. border, try to cross early in the morning to skip the longest wait times.

Holiday Mondays are usually the busiest, so if you can, avoid crossing on May 19. The CBSA also suggests checking real-time border wait times online before you go. If the crossing you're headed to is backed up, consider switching to a different port of entry that might be less busy.

Also, don't forget to check the hours of operation — not all ports are open 24/7. You can use apps like Google Maps or Waze to explore different driving routes and find the fastest option in real time.

Have your documents ready

Border officers have one big ask: be ready. That means having your travel documents — like your Canadian passport, NEXUS card and/or permanent resident card — handy before you roll up to the booth.

Quick access to your documents will make processing faster and help you get where you're going with fewer delays.

Leave these items at home

The CBSA is reminding Canadians what not to pack. That includes firearms, weapons and restricted drugs, including Cannabis. Yes, even if cannabis is legal in Canada, taking it across the border — in any form — is still a criminal offence unless you have special authorization from Health Canada.

Before you head out, take a few minutes to check the CBSA's list of restricted and prohibited items. It also includes things like certain foods, plants and consumer products.

Bringing in something that's not allowed — even by accident — could lead to fines, seizures or even prosecution.

Know the rules about what you're bringing back

According to the CBSA, if you're shopping during your trip, there are some important rules around what you can bring back into Canada without paying duty or taxes.

Canadian residents get a personal exemption — which lets you bring back certain goods (including alcohol and tobacco) up to a specific value without extra charges. But if you go over that limit, you could be on the hook for a 25% surtax on top of the usual duties.

This surtax applies to certain U.S. goods over the exemption limit, so it's worth checking the full list of affected products on the CBSA site before you load up your trunk. And keep your receipts — you'll need to tell the officer exactly how much you spent, in Canadian dollars.

Use Advance Declaration if you're flying

If you're flying back into the country, you can save time by filling out your customs and immigration declaration online — up to 72 hours before you land.

Advance Declaration is available at major airports across Canada. It's totally optional, but the CBSA says it speeds things up significantly at the kiosk.

Travelling with kids? Bring a letter if they're not yours

Planning a trip with your niece, nephew or your kid's friend? The CBSA recommends carrying a consent letter from their parent or legal guardian if they're not your own child or you don't have full custody.

Border officers are trained to look out for missing children, and without that letter, you could face some serious questioning at the border. The letter should include the parent or guardian's full name, address and phone number — and ideally be notarized.

Be honest and ready to declare

When you return to Canada, you're responsible for everything you bring with you. If you're driving, that includes everything inside your vehicle. The CBSA urges travellers to be upfront and honest with officers — and ask questions if you're not sure what needs to be declared.

The agency says the best way to avoid delays is to declare everything and answer truthfully. It's not just about following the rules — it can also save you time and money.