Tips and advice by The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), Southern Ontario Region, for making your border crossings easier during the holiday season:
- Long weekends result in higher number of border crossings. So if you want to get home fast, plan travelling around Boxing Day and enter during non-peak hours such as early morning. You can check border wait times using the CanBorder App and cross at the least busy port of entry in the area.
- Be sure to check the CBSA duty and taxes estimator to calculate taxes on goods purchased outside of Canada and to help you make informed decisions when shopping abroad.
- Make sure that each passenger has the correct travel document and have your travel documents and receipts in hand when you arrive at the border.
- If you are bringing gifts, it is recommended they not be wrapped as CBSA may need to examine them more in-depth.
- Do not take Cannabis across the border. Despite the fact that cannabis (marijuana) became legal and regulated in Canada, it remains illegal to take cannabis across Canada’s international borders, whether you are entering or leaving Canada.
- You should be aware of the contents of your vehicle.
- Members can cross faster by using the Canada-bound NEXUS lanes. In the Southern Ontario Region, NEXUS lanes are available at the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel and Ambassador, Blue Water, Peace and Queenston-Lewiston bridges. The Whirlpool Bridge in Niagara Falls, Ontario, is the only dedicated NEXUS crossing in Canada, only a few minutes from the Horseshoe Falls.
- 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.