By: Dawn Truell, President, Cross Border
Services Expecting a busy Holiday Weekend
Traffic at Border Several sporting and special events are
taking place in and around the Southern Ontario Region that will contribute to
higher volumes at our border crossings and may affect border wait times. The
CBSA will be monitoring traffic volumes and will use all available resources to
maintain service levels and minimize processing times, while ensuring the
safety and security of Canadians. We encourage travellers to plan ahead and
help facilitate their border crossing by following some of these tips: Anticipate lengthy border wait times and
plan ahead. Please make sure that you bring proper
identification for yourself and everyone in the vehicle readily available. Accepted
forms of identification for entry into U.S.A./Canada are passport, NEXUS card. enhanced
driver's license, Birth Certificate. 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 the harmonized sales
tax (HST) on your purchases and possibly duty. ABSENT FROM CANADA EXEMPTION Less than 24 hours No personal or alcohol/tobacco exemption 24 hours Up to Can $200 Alcohol/tobacco are not included If
value of goods purchased exceeds $200, duty and taxes are applicable on entire
amount of imported goods Goods must be in your possession at time
of entry to Canada 48 hours or more Can$800 Alcohol/tobacco within your limits can be
included—to find out your limits consult the CBSA website. Declare all of your goods and have the
value of your purchases readily available. Failure to report all goods may lead
to penalty action up to and including seizure of the goods. Smuggling,
undervaluation and other Customs Act contraventions may also lead to
prosecution in a court of law. Firearms or weapons must be declared at
the CBSA port of entry to Canada. Failure to declare any firearms or weapons
may lead to penalties, including seizure action and prosecution. Know before you go. Certain goods are
prohibited or restricted from entering Canada including some food, plant and
animal products. You can find out more, by consulting the CBSA website. The CBSA continues to remind all
travellers of the current restrictions on bringing poultry into Canada from
certain states in the United States. These restrictions apply to raw poultry,
poultry products and poultry by-products that are not fully cooked, including
eggs and raw pet foods. A list of the affected states and products can be found
on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website. If you are crossing the border with food,
plant or animal products, or if you are unsure whether the product is allowed,
declare the item and discuss it with a border services officer. Goods that are
not declared are subject to seizure and penalties, and could lead to
prosecution. If travelling with pets, know that dogs
and cats that are three months of age or older need valid signed and dated
certificates from a veterinarian verifying vaccinations against rabies. These
are usually valid for 1-3 years. Service dogs are exempt when accompanied by
their owners. All travellers that an import permit
issued by Natural Resources Canada is required to import fireworks into Canada.
Fireworks that do not have the necessary permit will be refused entry into
Canada. Whether camping in Canada or returning
from a camping trip, all camping gear, recreational equipment and supplies must
be clean and free of pests and soil. Furthermore, firewood cannot be brought
into the country because it can introduce invasive species and spread disease
to Canada's trees. Campers should buy firewood on site, burn firewood on site,
and leave all unused firewood on site. All private boaters entering or returning to
Canadian waters must report their arrival to the CBSA. When entering Canadian
waters, the master of the vessel must report to the CBSA upon arrival at a
CBSA-designated marine reporting site. If certain conditions are met, citizens
or permanent residents of Canada or the United States can report to the TRC
(1-888-226-7277) from the water using a cellular telephone at the location of
entry into Canadian waters. For more information on reporting requirements,
check the CBSA website. For further information regarding anti smuggling
and anti terrorism programs, C-TPAT, FAST, PIP, CSA, please contact Cross
Border Services at: www.c-tpat-certified.com www.crossborderservices.org crossborderservices@cogeco.net |