Crossing The Canada-US Border Over March Break? Here Are 7 Tips For A Smooth Trip

Cross during non-peak hours

According to the CBSA, travellers can save time by crossing the border during non-peak hours, such as early mornings.

You can also check border wait times for entry to the U.S. at each Canadian port of entry online using the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol website.

You can also check border wait times for returning to Canada from the U.S.

Have your travel documents ready

"Whether travelling by land, air or water, travellers can help speed up processing times by always coming prepared with their travel documents," says the CBSA.

Canadian citizens who are 16 years old and older who are entering the U.S. by land must present either a valid passport or a Trusted Traveler Program card, an enhanced driver’s licence, a Secure Certificate of Indian Status.

Alternatively, they can also present a Trusted Traveler Program card (NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST), according to the U.S. government.

The document you use must be valid for the duration of your stay, according to the Government of Canada.

Know your exemption limits

"Returning residents planning to make purchases or pick up online purchases across the border should be aware of their personal exemption limits, including alcohol and tobacco."

Personal exemption limits allow Canadians to bring goods up to a certain value into the country without paying regular duty and taxes, and apply to Canadian residents returning from a trip outside Canada, former residents of Canada returning to live in this country and temporary residents of Canada returning from a trip outside the country. The limits are based on how long you were absent for.

Canadians who are absent for more than seven days can claim goods worth up to $800. Tobacco products and alcoholic beverages must be in your possession when you enter Canada, but other goods may follow you by other means, like courier or by post.

Travellers who are absent for more than 48 hours can also claim up to $800, but in this case, all goods must be in your possession and reported at time of entry to Canada.

If you're only away from the country for 24 hours, you can claim up to $200 of goods, although tobacco and alcholo products are not included.

According to the government, personal exemptions don't apply to same-day cross-border shoppers.

You can also use the CBSA duty and taxes estimator to help you calculate what you owe on goods purchased abroad.

Be ready to declare

All travellers must declare their goods upon entry into Canada. To make sure you don't run into any incidents resulting in lengthy wait times at the border, make sure you understand what you can and can't bring across the border and what you must declare.

For example, travellers crossing the land border into the U.S. from Canada must declare all agricultural products they are bringing into the country, like fresh and dried produce. A full list of prohibited and restricted items can be found on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website.

When coming back to Canada, the same applies — be aware of what you can and can't bring into the country, and what you must declare. For example, the CBSA says many travellers fail to declare items such as processed or canned foods, handmade crafts, such as wooden items, cooked or cured meats, bait for recreational fishing and fruits and vegetables.

Canadians returning to Canada are advised to have their receipts readily available for goods purchased or received while outside of the country.

CBSA reminds travellers that they should be aware of everything that is inside their vehicle and that they are responsible for its contents.

Leave the weed at home

While cannabis is legal in Canada, it remains illegal in the United States, and it is illegal to travel with it across international borders, whether you're leaving or entering Canada.

According to the U.S. CBP, although medical and recreational cannabis may be legal in some U.S. states, the sale, possession, production and distribution of cannabis remain illegal under U.S. Federal Law.

"Consequently, crossing the border or arriving at a U.S. port of entry in violation of this law may result in denied admission, seizure, fines, and apprehension," it says.

It is also illegal to bring drug paraphernalia into the U.S. unless it is prescribed for authentic medical conditions such as diabetes. CBP says it will seize any illegal drug paraphernalia, which refers to any equipment that is used to produce, conceal, and consume illicit drugs, including but not limited to bongs, miniature spoons, and various types of pipes.

Your electronic devices could be checked

Travellers should be prepared for the possibility of having their devices checked if crossing the U.S.-Canada border.

According to the U.S. CBP, all persons, baggage, and merchandise arriving in the United States are subject to inspection by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, including all electronic devices crossing the nation's borders.

Border authorities may search your electronic devices, such as your phone, and don't need a warrant to do so.

According to CBP, travellers are obligated to present their electronic devices and the information on the device in a condition that allows for the examination of the device and its contents.

"Failure to assist CBP in accessing the electronic device and its contents for examination may result in the detention of the device in order to complete the inspection," it says.

The search would reveal information that is on the device (not stored in the Cloud, for instance) and would ordinarily be visible by scrolling through the phone manually, including contact lists, call logs, calendar entries, text messages, pictures, videos, and audio files.

The same is true when returning to Canada — according to the CBSA, whether visiting or returning to Canada, you may be subject to an examination by a CBSA officer to determine your admissibility, which includes any goods or vehicle you bring across the border.

Officers can examine your cell phones, tablets, laptops and any other digital device you are carrying.

"The officer will disable the network connectivity on your device, for example, turn on airplane mode to disable its ability to send and receive information. This ensures they can only examine information stored on the device," says the CBSA.

Be prepared if travelling with pets

If you're going to be travelling with a pet, you'll have to make sure your pet meets the requirements for entry into the United States.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has details on exactly what you'll need if you're travelling with your dog, cat or other pet.

According to the CBSA, if you're travelling with a pet into Canada, you'll need the right paperwork at the border to meet Canada's import requirements. You can fill out an online form on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website to determine what forms you'll need to travel into Canada with your pet.