With Christmas fast approaching, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is expecting higher than normal traffic volumes. In preparation for this, the CBSA is offering some tips to make your border crossing smoother and avoid trouble.
First, if you plan to take gifts across the border, you might want to hold off on wrapping them, said the bureau’s Charles Fisher.
“Officers will exercise all the discretion they can, but just because something is wrapped in pretty paper doesn’t mean they can’t open it if necessary to find out what it is,” he said.
“It’s very important to know what you have.”
Fisher said if you plan on bringing in a turkey or other poultry products, make sure to leave them wrapped and leave any leftovers when you get home.
“We are not allowing any products that are not commercially packaged, such as leftover produce purchased from farm stands or poultry products, or products sold from roadside stands,” Fisher said.
Agency officials said that while marijuana is legal in Canada, such products cannot be brought across the border.
“Please be careful not to carry any cannabis products with you as it is illegal to bring them into or take them out of the country,” Fisher said.
The CBSA also reminds people to carry required travel documents, such as a passport, NEXUS card, status card or enhanced driver’s license, when crossing the border.
