Seven ways to make your cross-border shopping trip a success

THORNHILL, ON, Aug. 22, 2013 /CNW/ - The first day of class is just around the corner and that means it's time for back-to-school shopping.

Before you make the annual expedition south of the border to take advantage of end of season sales and stock up on everything from backpacks to notebooks, CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO) is offering the following helpful advice.

Cross-border travel tips:

• Be prepared for delays at border crossings. Before heading out check border wait times at http://travel.gc.ca/.
• Purchase travel insurance even for a short shopping trip across the border. An unexpected trip to the emergency room or a visit to the doctor's office can be expensive and OHIP may not cover it. CAA offers many travel insurance plans to suit your needs.
• Bring proper identification for yourself and any children travelling with you.
• Schedule a vehicle check-up a least a week before your road trip. Check your wiper blades and fluid levels. Test your battery and inspect your tires for any tears or bulges in the side wall.
• Pack a map as a back-up to your GPS. CAA offers maps and customized TripTik route planners to help get you where you are going safely. CAA can also help you book your hotel stay.
• Know how much you can bring back. For 48 hours or more, you can bring back goods, tax and duty-free, worth up to $800. For 24 hours or more, you can bring back goods, tax and duty-free, worth up to $200.
• Declare all purchases and have receipts ready at the border.

CAA South Central Ontario is a not-for-profit auto club offering roadside services, automotive care, travel and insurance. There are more than 1.9 million CAA members in South Central Ontario and over 5.6 million members in Canada. We're more than Roadside Assistance. We're Life-side Assistance.

SOURCE: CAA South Central Ontario

Media contact: Silvana Aceto, Media & PR Consultant, CAA SCO, [email protected], Office: [phone], Cell: [phone] or Jeff LeMoine, Communications Consultant, [email protected], Office: [phone], Cell: [phone].