Summer's Ending, but Border Regulations are Still in Force: CBSA's Tips for Labour Day Border Crossing

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is issuing a statement ahead of the last long weekend of the summer.

It's reminding all travellers crossing the border this upcoming Labour Day long weekend about requirements when crossing the border into Canada - and it has some tips to make sure it's a smooth passage.

According to the border agency, travellers should be prepared for a "border that is (still) managed differently, with evolving COVID-19 requirements, which can mean delays during peak periods."

While it's doing its best to keep people moving, including planning for peak times, it reminds air and land travellers there are also things that they can do to make the process easier for themselves and other travellers.

Travellers can help reduce wait times at the border by coming prepared and by completing their mandatory ArriveCAN submission within 72 hours before arriving at the border. Over 1.4 million travellers successfully used the ArriveCAN app last week.

Key tips for all travellers:

Ensure you are eligible to enter Canada. Foreign nationals must meet the admissibility requirements under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and provide appropriate travel and immigration documentation.
Understand the rules around COVID-19. There are still border measures in place for COVID-19. They vary depending on who is travelling—foreign nationals, returning residents or Canadian citizens. Answer a few questions to find out which requirements apply to you and if you can enter Canada.
Use ArriveCAN. Whether you are travelling by air, land or marine, all travellers, regardless of vaccination status, are required to submit their health and travel information in ArriveCAN (get it on the CBSA website), up to 72 hours before entering Canada.
- Travellers must ensure they have the most up-to-date version of the ArriveCAN app
- Travellers should print or take a screenshot of their ArriveCAN receipt and bring it with them when they travel.
- Travellers without a smartphone or without mobile data can submit their information by signing in online through a computing device. If you use this website option, the technology ensures that your internet connection to ArriveCAN is secure. If travellers are unable to enter their information themselves, they can have a friend or family member enter the information for them.
Advance Declaration feature. Air travellers landing in Toronto (YYZ), Vancouver (YVR) and Montreal (YUL) airports, may use this feature in ArriveCAN (app or Web version) to complete their customs and immigrations declaration in advance of their arrival in Canada. The CBSA says taking this step reduces kiosk time for a traveller by one third.
Have all your documents ready. Travellers must have the following ready to present to the border services officer: their passport or travel documents and identification for all persons in the vehicle. You may also be asked to present your ArriveCAN receipt and proof of vaccination.
Plan ahead and check border wait times. Travellers crossing the border by land are encouraged to plan to cross during non-peak hours, such as early morning. The Monday of holiday long weekends tend to be the busiest, with longer border wait times.
Entering Canada by water. Unless exempt, all travellers entering Canada by water, must report their arrival to the CBSA without delay. All travellers, including Canadian residents, must submit their mandatory information in ArriveCAN before, or when, entering Canada at a marine port of entry.
Be prepared to declare. Travellers returning to Canada must declare all goods purchased and/or received while outside the country.
Know your exemption limits.
- Residents can bring back tax and duty free goods valued at CAN$200 after being away for 24 hours, and goods valued at CAN$800 after 48 hours. There are no personal exemptions for same-day cross-border shopping trips, so be prepared to pay taxes.
Declare any foods, plants, or animals, birds and any wood product or firewood. Be sure to check the Automated Import Reference System to help determine all specific import requirements.
Declare all currency and/or monetary instruments of CAN$10,000 or more. It is not illegal to bring such amounts into Canada, but it must be declared on arrival.
Cannabis. Don't bring it in. Don't take it out. Transporting cannabis across the border in any form remains a serious criminal offence subject to arrest and prosecution, despite the legalization of cannabis in Canada.
Know the contents of your vehicle. Travellers can consult the CBSA's website for information on firearms and other restricted and prohibited goods.
Use the latest technology. Upon arrival at selected major airports in Canada, travellers can use a primary inspection kiosk or eGates to verify their travel documents, confirm their identity and complete an on-screen declaration.
Children. When travelling with children, it is recommended that the accompanying adult have a consent letter authorizing them to travel with the child. Border services officers are always watching for missing children, and in the absence of the letter, officers may ask additional questions, to help them identify the relationship between the child and the accompanying adult.