Travel tips for the winter season in the Pacific Region

December 12, 2017                           Surrey, British Columbia                               Canada Border Services Agency

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) advises travellers to prepare for a busy winter season at the border in the Pacific Region. 

Last year between December 1, 2016 and February 28, 2017, the CBSA processed over 2,446,008 travellers and 1,396,036 vehicles that entered Canada through the five Lower Mainland border crossings (United States counterparts are also listed): 

• Abbotsford-Huntingdon (Sumas)
• Aldergrove (Lynden)
• Pacific Highway (Blaine)
• Douglas (Peace Arch, Blaine)
• Boundary Bay (Point Roberts)

At the Douglas port of entry (POE), there is ongoing construction and only six lanes are available (four general traffic lanes and two Nexus lanes) compared to the usual ten. Travellers are encouraged to use alternate POEs, as listed above, to enter Canada.

All persons, including Canadian citizens, seeking entry to Canada must present themselves to the CBSA and may be subject to a more in-depth exam. All persons must demonstrate they meet the requirements to enter and/or stay in Canada.

To make your crossing a little smoother, here are some tips:

• Plan ahead: Cross the border outside the busiest days and times, and be especially prepared if you plan to cross on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday. On those days, longer wait times begin building early in the day and carry on throughout the afternoon. For information on border wait times, download the mobile CanBorder app or check the Current Border Wait Times table.   

• Be prepared: Have your travel documents, proper identification for all persons in the vehicle and receipts from purchases outside of Canada ready to present to the border services officer (BSO). Be prepared to declare all goods purchased and/or received while outside the country. If you are a bus passenger, have your E311 Declaration Card completed and signed before arriving at the POE. 

• Be aware: Visitors to Canada cannot import firearms or weapons into Canada without the proper documentation. Should you determine you have a circumstance where it is necessary to import a firearm or weapon, visit our webpage to learn more about Import and Export a Firearm or Weapon into Canada and declare all weapons to the BSO. Please be advised that the importation of prohibited firearms, devices or weapons may lead to a risk of penalty or prosecution. 

• Know your exemption limits: If you plan to make purchases or pick up online purchases across the border, be aware of your exemption limits. Be sure to check the CBSA duty and taxes estimator to calculate taxes on goods purchased in the United States and to help you make informed decisions when shopping abroad. 

• Ask the CBSA officer: To enter into Canada as quickly as possible, the best thing you can do is to be open and honest with the BSO. If you are not sure about what to declare, do not hesitate to ask. The officers are there to help you.

For future travel, apply to become a NEXUS member to expedite the border clearance process. For more information on border crossing, visit the CBSA website or call the Border Information Service line at 1-800-461-9999 within Canada or 1-204-983-3500 outside Canada. 

NEXUS Hours of Operation

Location (Canada)                         Location (U.S.)                      NEXUS hours of service into Canada

Abbotsford-Huntingdon                   Sumas                                     8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Mon to Fri) / 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.  (Sat, Sun and Holiday Monday)

Aldergrove                                       Lynden                                    10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Boundary Bay                                  Point Roberts                          7 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

Pacific Highway (Surrey)                 Blaine                                      7 a.m. to midnight  

Douglas (Surrey)                             Peace Arch (Blaine)                7 a.m. to midnight   

- 30 -