Cross-border travel tips

MONTREAL, June 21 /CNW Telbec/ - The summer holiday season is upon us and with the strength of the Canadian dollar, many Canadians will likely be travelling abroad over the coming weeks. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is making every effort to minimize border wait times during this peak period; travellers can facilitate their re-entry into Canada by keeping the following five tips in mind.

    
    1. Plan ahead to avoid delays at the Canada-U.S. land border. The CBSA
       suggests that you avoid travelling during peak periods such as
       afternoons and weekends and that you use the Internet to keep track of
       wait times. You can consult border wait times on the CBSA Web site at
       www.cbsa.gc.ca, or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CBSA_BWT or your cell
       phone at www.wap.gc.ca or www.gc.ca.

       You might also want to consider an alternate itinerary using one of
       the many border crossings on secondary highways along the Canada-U.S.
       border by consulting
       www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/do-rb/map-carte/map-carte-eng.html.

    2. Carry appropriate identification. Since CBSA officers watch closely
       for missing children and may ask you detailed questions about the
       children you are travelling with, it is important that you carry
       appropriate identification for yourself and for all children
       travelling with you, regardless of their ages. If you have legal
       custody or share custody of the children, be sure to have copies of
       the relevant legal documents, such as those describing custody rights.

    3. Declare all merchandise you have bought and have all your receipts on
       hand. Officers may ask you to show receipts for the goods you have
       purchased and your hotel receipts to verify the length of your stay
       outside Canada. To avoid unnecessary delays, keep all receipts
       together and ensure they are readily available.

    4. Be aware of your personal exemptions. Depending on the length of your
       stay abroad, you may be entitled to certain personal exemptions.

       AFTER BEING AWAY   YOU CAN BRING BACK GOODS, TAX AND DUTY-FREE, WORTH
       FOR...             UP TO...
       ----------------------------------------------------------------------
       24 hours or more   CAN$50
       ----------------------------------------------------------------------
       48 hours or more   CAN$400
       ----------------------------------------------------------------------
       7 days or more     CAN$750
       ----------------------------------------------------------------------

    Alcoholic beverages and tobacco products may be included in your 48-hour
    or 7-day exemption, provided you are of legal age. Certain restrictions
    apply.

    5. Know before you go. Certain goods are prohibited or restricted from
       entering Canada (weapons, certain plant and animal products, etc.).
       You can find out more about this by consulting the I Declare brochure,
       available at www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/pub/bsf5056-eng.html.
    

If you are a citizen or permanent resident of Canada or the United States, you can apply to become a member of NEXUS, a program designed to expedite the border clearance process for low-risk, pre-approved travellers into Canada and the United States. More information about this program is available at www.nexus.gc.ca.

For more information, visit the CBSA Web site at www.cbsa.gc.ca or contact the Border Information Service at 1-800-461-9999.

For further information: Media enquiries: Communications Division, Canada Border Services Agency, Telephone: [phone]