The winter holiday break is well underway, and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is expecting to handle an increased amount of cross-border traffic.
With Christmas in the rearview mirror, there are expected to be more commuters to the U.S. who are headed for visits with loved ones, or chasing post-Christmas sales at American retailers.
"The CBSA is dedicated to planning and preparing for peak periods," read a release from the CBSA. "We monitor traveller volumes and take measures to minimize border wait times at land ports of entry and at international airports, without compromising safety and security."
If you're traveling to and from the U.S. during the holiday break, the CBSA has tips to help speed up border crossings.
Southwestern Ontario has multiple options for crossing, so the CBSA suggests checking ahead for wait times and looking at more than one point of entry if possible. Travel during non-peak times, such as early morning or late at night, may also cut wait times further.
Have all the proper travel documents ready when you approach the inspection booth, including passports, permanent residency cards, or other identifying papers.
For those who travel with children, parents or guardians not travelling together should bring a letter authorizing the person to travel with them. CBSA agents are trained to watch for missing children.
Recreational cannabis may be legal across Canada and in the state of Michigan, but it is not permitted to bring it over the border. This includes any products with or without the ingredient THC, which creates the "high". If you must have it for medical reasons, a valid permit or exemption issued by Health Canada is required. CBSA agents will not accept a prescription from a doctor.
If you are caught smuggling cannabis over the border, you could face serious fines and criminal penalties, including a potential ban on crossing the border.
Be ready to declare any items you purchased outside of Canada and have any receipts ready.
Complete information on what cross-border travellers must know can be found on the official CBSA website.