Toronto 
Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has shared tips for residents travelling to the U.S during the busy Thanksgiving (US) weekend.
In addition to carrying all the required travel and immigration documentation like a passport, to make your cross-border travelling as smooth as possible, CBSA has the following advice:
- Check border wait times if you are driving. CBSA says Mondays of holiday long weekends tend to be the busiest, with longer border wait times and it is better to cross during non-peak hours, such as early morning.
- If you are travelling via air, use Advance CBSA Declaration if you are arriving at Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Winnipeg, and Halifax international airports.
- If you have shopped in the U.S, you need to declare all purchases and have your receipts. You should be aware of the exemption limits for the items you buy. While there are no personal exemptions for same-day cross-border shopping trips, you can bring CAN$200 worth of goods tax and duty-free after being away for 24 hours, and goods valued at CAN$800 after 48 hours. Check the CBSA duty and taxes estimator to calculate taxes on goods purchased in the United States.
- If you are bringing gifts, it is recommended they not be wrapped as CBSA may need to examine them more in-depth.
- Do not cross the border with Cannabis as transporting cannabis across the border in any form, including any oils containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or cannabidiol (CBD), without a permit or exemption authorized by Health Canada remains a serious criminal offence subject to arrest and prosecution, despite the legalization of cannabis in Canada. CBSA says a medical prescription from a doctor does not count as Health Canada authorization.
- You need to declare any foods, plants, or animals such as raw meats, fruits, house plants, live animals, wood products (including firewood and wooden souvenirs) at the border. Check the Automated Import Reference System to help determine all specific import requirements. Avoid importing raw poultry products or by-products as there are restrictions on imports of live birds, bird products and by-products from U.S. states affected by Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza.
- Travellers who share custody of their children should carry a consent letter and contact information for the other parent so that officers can follow up and confirm details.
- Be open and honest with the CBSA officer. If you are not sure about what to declare, don’t hesitate to ask.
