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With the busy holiday season upon us, Canada Border Services Agency is offering tips to ease border travel over the Christmas and New Year’s period.

Officials with the CBSA say they plan and prepare for peak travel periods, monitor traveller volumes and take measures to minimize border wait times at both land ports of entry and international airports.

But with more than 80.5 million travellers passing through this year from Jan. 1 to Oct. 31, along with more than 24,400 illegal drug and approximately 16,400 weapons and firearms seizures, officers are kept busy.

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Best time to travel

Officials recommend travellers check border wait times at cbsa-asfc.gc.ca before leaving.

Always expect that delays can occur. Consider an alternative port of entry with less traffic or shorter wait times.

Normally, early mornings are the best time to cross the border to avoid wait times, while the Mondays of holiday long weekends tend to be the busiest.

Officials also recommend checking different navigation options, such as fastest and shortest routes, when using a GPS application such as Google Maps, Apple Maps or Waze.

Simplify declaration of goods

Preparation is key, according to border officials.

Be prepared to declare everything with you when entering Canada. Officials said you are responsible for everything inside your vehicle and all goods must be declared.

Gifts should be unwrapped or in gift bags to ease inspection.

Residents of Canada should familiarize themselves with personal exemption limits for goods, alcohol and tobacco before travelling.

Know the value of goods being brought into Canada and have receipts ready for the officer.

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Also check for current restrictions on items, including birds and poultry from the U.S. Homemade food or leftovers containing poultry cannot be brought into Canada.

If you’re flying into Canada, use advance declaration up to 72 hours before arrival at participating airports.

Have travel documents ready

Travel documents should be in hand for everyone in the vehicle or entering the country at an airport.

Officials recommend having a consent letter from a parent or legal guardian authorizing you to travel with a child or children who are not your own or for whom you don’t have full legal custody.

Border staff are always on the lookout for missing children. Without a consent letter, they may ask additional questions.

Pets must meet specific requirements to enter Canada. Before travelling, review guidelines on the Government of Canada website.

The United States has also updated documentation requirements for all dogs entering the country from Canada.

More advice on importing goods

Border officials point out there are additional restrictions or responsibilities for travellers bringing a variety of products into Canada, including fireworks.

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Travellers should check the Government of Canada website for tips before travelling with medication.

When it comes to restricted or prohibited goods, officials advise reviewing the rules or risk having goods seized and/or being levied fines or face prosecution.

Those items include firearms, pepper spray, switchblades, butterfly knives, narcotics and cannabis.

While cannabis is legal in Canada (and in Michigan), bringing it across the international border in any form, including oils containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or cannabidiol (CBD), without a permit or exemption is a serious criminal offence.

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

Prevent uncertainty

Officials advise travellers who are unsure to ask a CBSA officer.

“The best way to save time is to be open and honest with the border services officer,” officials said. “If you are not sure about what to declare, don’t hesitate to ask.”

Visit www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca or call 1-800-461-9999 for further information.

jkotsis@postmedia.com

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