News Release

Southern Ontario Region

Reminder to summer travellers when crossing the border this summer season

Southern Ontario, June, 26, 2013 — This summer travel season, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Niagara Falls Bridge Commission, the Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority, and Detroit-Windsor Tunnel Corporation joined efforts to remind summer travellers of document requirements to travel to both countries. The agencies and commissions want to educate travellers about these requirements to make their travel experience a more enjoyable one.

Canada bound or returning to Canada:

• Have appropriate identification available – see Canadian document requirements for returning Canadians and non-Canadians.
• Check Canada-bound border wait times by one of the following three ways:
  • Mobile
  • Web site: www.cbsa.gc.ca or http://niagarafallsbridges.com/ or www.dwtunnel.com
  • Twitter:
    • Rainbow Bridge: @CBSA_RBB
    • Peace Bridge: @CBSA_PBR
    • Queenston-Lewiston Bridge: @CBSA_QLB
    • CBSA Border Wait Times: @CBSA_BWT
    • Niagara Bridges: @NiagaraBridges
    • Detroit-Windsor tunnel: @CBSA_DCT
    • Ambassador Bridge: @CBSA_ABB
• For information on bringing alcohol, tobacco and other goods into Canada, consult I Declare.
• Visitors to Canada should be aware of the requirements to import a firearm into Canada. Many weapons are considered prohibited and are therefore not allowed into Canada. All travellers must declare any firearms and weapons in their possession when they enter Canada. Anyone who does not declare them upon arrival can face prosecution, and the firearms, and the vehicle used to carry them, may be seized.

For even more travel tips, visit the CBSA's Travel Tips page.

U.S. bound or returning to the U.S.:

• Check U.S.-bound border wait times at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/wait_times/. Visit http://niagarafallsbridges.com/ or http://mobile.peacebridge.com/ on your Web-enabled mobile device, follow @NiagaraBridges or @CBPGreatLakes on Twitter, or call 1-800-715-6722 to obtain updated wait times for Niagara and Buffalo bridges.
• Prepare for the inspection process before arriving at the inspection booth. Have your WHTI (Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative) or RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) enabled documents in hand before reaching primary inspection. For a list of appropriate identification: www.GetYouHome.gov.
• When travelling into the United States, travellers are encouraged to visit the "Know Before You Go" section of the CBP Web site. To avoid fines and penalties associated with the importation of restricted or prohibited items, become educated prior to travelling; this includes agriculture products. Please visit http://www.cbp.gov/travel.
• For more information on what to expect at a port of entry, document requirements, and prohibited or restricted items, travellers can visit www.GetYouHome.gov.

Travelling to or returning from Canada or the United States:

• Cross-border travellers are encouraged to enroll in the NEXUS program.  NEXUS allows pre-screened, low-risk travellers to proceed with little or no delay into the United States and Canada. Application forms are available on the Canada Border Services Agency Web site and travellers can apply online at www.cbp.gov. Additionally, NEXUS information is available toll-free at 1-866-NEXUS 26 (1-866-639-8726).
• If travelling with children less than 16 years of age who are not part of your immediate family, obtain and carry a parental note of permission regarding cross-border travel. The note should include each child's parental contact information and telephone numbers.
• Other than essential luggage or vacation supplies, empty your trunk before the trip. Additional belongings in your car may add time to your crossing, as border officers may perform a visual inspection of the belongings in your car.
• Turn off radios and cell phones when approaching the inspection booths and speaking with officers.
• Remember to roll down the driver and rear passenger windows, remove sunglasses, and make eye contact with border officers.
• Be sure to declare all goods acquired while out of the country including fruits, vegetables, plants and plant products, animals, birds, eggs, meat and meat products, as well as items acquired for personal use.
• Be patient. Approach inspection booths slowly and follow signage instructions.
• Do not drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• Personal importations of fireworks are prohibited.

For more information please visit www.CBP.gov or www.cbsa.gc.ca.

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For media information

Canada Border Services Agency
Southern Ontario Region
Nancy Thomson
905-354-5995
CBSA-ASFC_SouthernOntarioRegionNews@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca

U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Buffalo Field Office
Richard Misztal
716-626-6404 or 716-936-9939
richard.misztal@dhs.gov

U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Ken Hammond, Sr.
Chief CBP Officer
Public Affairs/Border Community Liaison
313-496-2191
kenneth.hammond@dhs.gov

Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority
Matthew N. Davison
Director of Communications & Government Relations
905-994-3677 (Canada) or 716-884-8748 (U.S.)
mnd@peacebridge.com

Niagara Falls Bridge Commission
Brent Gallaugher
bgallaugher@niagarafallsbridges.com

Detroit-Windsor Tunnel
Neal Belitsky
313-567-4422 ext 204
519-258-7424 ext 204
NBelitsky@dwtunnel.com

Follow the CBSA on Twitter (@CanBorder), join us on Facebook or visit our YouTube channel.