THUNDER BAY – For many in Thunder Bay, a long weekend means a trip to Duluth or other points south. Making your way home crossing the border can mean line-ups.
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) anticipate heavy traffic volumes this Civic Holiday long weekend at Northern Ontario ports of entry. The CBSA would like to remind travellers to plan their border crossing to avoid delays.
The CBSA advises travellers to plan their border crossing outside of peak traffic periods if possible and to check border wait times on the CBSA’s Web site or on Twitter. In anticipation of higher traffic volumes at some ports of entry this Civic Holiday long weekend, travellers are advised to consider the potential for delays for the following dates and times when entering Canada:
- Lansdowne port of entry (@CBSA_TIB): peak traffic volumes are anticipated between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Friday, August 1; between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday, August 2; between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. on Sunday, August 3; and between 12 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Monday, August 4, when border wait times may exceed 30 minutes.
- Cornwall port of entry (@CBSA_CWL): peak traffic volumes are anticipated between 12 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Monday, August 4, when border wait times may exceed 30 minutes.
- Prescott port of entry (@CBSA_PCT): peak traffic volumes are anticipated between 12 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Monday, August 4, when border wait times may exceed 30 minutes.
- Sault Ste. Marie port of entry (@CBSA_SSM): peak traffic volumes are anticipated between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Friday, August 1; and between 12 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Monday, August 4, when border wait times may exceed 30 minutes.
- Fort Frances port of entry (@CBSA_FFB): peak traffic volumes are anticipated between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 31; between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Friday, August 1; and between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 2, when border wait times may exceed 30 minutes.
- Pigeon River port of entry: peak traffic volumes are anticipated between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Sunday, August 3, and between 12 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Monday, August 4, when border wait times may exceed 30 minutes.
Travellers can also help speed up processing by ensuring that everyone in their vehicle has proper identification readily available upon arrival at the primary inspection booth and that they have all receipts for purchases in-hand.
The CBSA reminds travellers to declare all purchases or acquisitions when returning to Canada and to be mindful of the following: after an absence of 24 hours, you may bring back $200 worth of goods duty- and tax-free; after 48 hours, your personal exemption is $800. There are no personal exemptions for same-day purchases.
