ottawa, ontario
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is reminding travelers to be careful when crossing the border over the Easter long weekend.
CBSA works hard every day to protect Canadians, support our economy and ensure the safe and efficient movement of people and goods across our borders. In 2023, we welcomed more than 86,000 travelers and seized more than 72,200 kg of prohibited substances, cannabis, narcotics and chemicals. This is an increase of nearly 30% from 2022.
CBSA puts a lot of effort into planning and preparing for peak periods, including long weekends and holidays. We monitor traveler volumes and work hard to minimize border wait times at ports of entry, including international airports, without compromising safety and security.
Here are some tips to help you plan your trip.
Plan ahead, expect delays, and check border wait times. Travelers crossing the border by land are encouraged to do so during off-peak hours, such as early morning. Mondays during long weekends tend to be the busiest, leading to longer wait times at the border. If you are traveling with children, we recommend that the accompanying adult has a consent form authorizing them to travel with the child if they share custody or are not the parent. or legal guardian. Border Patrol agents are constantly monitoring missing children, and if a letter is not available, agents may ask additional questions. Please have your travel documents handy. Whether traveling by land, air, or water, travelers can reduce processing time by always having their travel documents ready. Save time by filing in advance. Customs and immigration declarations can be made at Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Winnipeg, Halifax, Quebec City, Ottawa, Billy Bishop, Calgary and Edmonton international airports up to 72 hours before his arrival in Canada. Data shows that this tool can reduce time at the kiosk or eGate by up to 50%. Please prepare to declare. All travelers must declare goods upon entering Canada. If you are a returning resident, please have receipts readily available for items purchased or received outside of Canada. Travelers must be aware of everything in their vehicle and are responsible for its contents. We recommend that you do not carry firearms, but if you do, please be sure to check the rules regarding the importation of firearms and other restricted and prohibited items, such as pepper spray and certain knives. Bringing in food for religious traditions? CBSA strongly urges you to refer to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) on his website before bringing food, plant or animal products into Canada. Recommended. Bringing poultry across the border? Poultry products must be intended for human consumption, packaged for retail sale, and labeled as “Product of the United States.” Homemade foods or leftovers containing poultry cannot be brought into Canada. Before bringing these products across the border, please review the latest information for travelers: Restrictions on Poultry and Birds from the United States. Please check the exemption limit. Returning travelers planning to cross the border to buy or pick up items online should be aware of personal exemption restrictions, including alcohol and tobacco. To calculate the amount owed on items purchased overseas, we recommend using CBSA's Duties and Taxes Estimator. You can bring in Easter chocolate as long as it is for personal use and does not exceed a certain weight. Visitors to Canada may also bring gifts for friends and family as long as the gift is declared: Bringing Goods into Canada – Canada. ca Cannabis: Please do not bring it. Please don't bring it up. Even though cannabis is legal in Canada, it is not possible to bring cannabis, including oils containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or cannabidiol (CBD), across the border without a Health Canada permit or exemption. , is a serious criminal offense subject to arrest and prosecution. A prescription from a doctor does not count as Health Canada authorization. Will you be traveling with medication? Make sure you understand your responsibilities. Would you like to bring traditional Indigenous medicines or ceremonial items into Canada? Medicines such as sage, cedar, sweetgrass, peyote, and tobacco are recognized as sacred items and may be brought across the border. However, there are regulations and inspections for plant materials. If you are traveling with a pet or plan to import your animal into Canada, proper documentation will be required at the border to meet Canada's import requirements. /Open to the public. This material from the original organization/author may be of a contemporary nature and has been edited for clarity, style, and length. Mirage.News does not take any institutional stance or position, and all views, positions, and conclusions expressed herein are those of the authors alone. Read the full text here.
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