By: Dawn Truell, President, Cross Border Services

 

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

dawntruell@gmail.com905-973-9136.