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News Release
Southern Ontario Region
Know before you go to simplify your border crossings this summer
Niagara Falls, Ontario, May 14, 2013 — The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) would like to simplify your return to Canada this summer. The Victoria Day long weekend traditionally marks the beginning of heavier traffic volumes at the Southern Ontario border crossings. Additional staff will be available to process the anticipated higher volumes of travellers. The CBSA has some helpful tips to simplify your return to Canada during the peak summer period.
Have proper identification readily available
Ensure that you have proper identification (ID) readily available for yourself and everyone travelling with you. A border services officer will scan your documents, so presenting a preferred form of identification could get you on your way more quickly.
Passports are the preferred form of identification for entry or re-entry into Canada. Other acceptable forms of ID include: enhanced driver's licences; birth certificates with accompanying photo ID such as regular driver's licences; permanent resident cards; citizenship cards or certificates of Indian status; or NEXUS cards or Free and Secure Trade (FAST) cards when travelling by land or boat.
Children under the age of 16 can present an original copy of their birth certificate, passport or NEXUS card as preferred identification. If travelling with children, have their identification ready to show and a letter of permission for any child who is travelling without their parents or travelling with non-custodial parents along with parental contact information. For more tips on travelling with children, consult our fact sheet.
NEXUS members can cross faster by using one of the following Canada-bound NEXUS lanes:
- Ambassador Bridge 6 a.m. to midnight Monday to Friday; and from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. during weekends and holidays as well as an additional NEXUS lane Monday to Friday, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.;
- Windsor–Detroit Tunnel from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday to Friday, and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. during weekends and holidays as well as an additional NEXUS lane Monday to Friday, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.;
- Blue Water Bridge from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily including holidays and weekends; additional lane from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. Monday to Thursday and from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday to Sunday;
- Peace Bridge from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Victoria to Labour Day Weekend from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.; as well as an additional NEXUS lane Monday to Friday, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.; third lane opened as needed
- Queenston–Lewiston Bridge from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.;
- Whirlpool Bridge is a dedicated NEXUS crossing for NEXUS members only, open seven days a week, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Know your personal exemptions, including those for alcohol and tobacco. Remember there are no personal exemptions for same-day cross-border shopping trips so be prepared to pay HST on those purchases and possibly duty.
| After being away for... | You can bring back goods, tax and duty free, worth up to... |
|---|---|
Less than 24 hours |
No personal exemption |
24 hours |
CAN$200 Alcohol and tobacco cannot be claimed. Goods must be in your possession at time of entry to Canada. If the value of the goods you have purchased abroad exceeds $200 after a 24-hour absence, duty and taxes are applicable on the entire amount of the imported goods. |
48 hours or more |
CAN$800 May include alcohol and tobacco products, within the prescribed limits set by provincial or territorial authorities. Goods must be in your possession at time of entry to Canada. Travellers absent for periods of 48 hours or more will have the applicable exemption level credited against the total value of goods. For the seven-day exemption, goods may be in your possession at time of entry to Canada but are also permitted to follow entry to Canada (such as via courier, mail or delivery agency), except alcohol and tobacco products, which must be in your possession. |
Also on the mobile Web site is a Duty and Taxes Estimator to help you calculate taxes owing on goods purchased in the United States and help you make informed decisions when shopping abroad.
Be prepared to declare all of your purchases.
If you do not declare goods, or if you falsely declare them, border services officers can seize the goods. Failure to report all goods may lead to seizure of the goods or you may have to pay a penalty to get them back. Penalties may range from 25% to 80% of the value of the seized goods. Smuggling, undervaluation and other Customs Act contraventions may also lead to prosecution in a court of law.
Keep your receipts readily available, totalled and categorized by the items purchased (i.e. groceries, electronics, children's clothing, adult clothing, toys, etc.) when presenting them to the officer inside the office. Keep in mind that paying the cashier in cash is quicker to process than debit and credit card transactions.
Make sure you are not returning with food, plant or animal products that are restricted in Canada. To determine the most up-to-date import requirements for these items, refer to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Automated Import Reference System.
Importing firewood, fireworks or firearms
Make sure you have the information you require before attempting to import these items into Canada to avoid possible penalties, including seizure or prosecution. For more information, consult our fact sheets specific to firearms, firewood, and fireworks.
For even more travel tips, watch the CBSA's travel tips video on YouTube or visit our Web site.
Check Canada-bound border wait times before you return by one of the following three ways:
-30-
For media information
Canada Border Services Agency
Southern Ontario Region
Tel: 905-354-5995 or 519-967-4330
CBSA-ASFC_SouthernOntarioRegionNews@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca
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