Travel tips for the Victoria Day long weekend

May 18, 2018                  Surrey, British Columbia                       Canada Border Services Agency

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) anticipates higher than normal traffic volumes during the Victoria Day long weekend. In addition, due to ongoing construction at the Douglas port of entry (POE), there will be reduced lanes for general traffic and NEXUS processing that may increase potential delays.

Here are a few tips to make your cross-border trip a little easier:

• Plan ahead: Cross the border in the morning, especially if you plan to cross on a Sunday or Monday, or use alternative POEs. The Douglas POE is the busiest land border crossing in British Columbia, and longer wait times begin building in the afternoon and carry on throughout the evening.

• 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. Be ready to declare all goods purchased and/or received while outside the country.

• 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.

• Travelling with children: Border services officers watch for missing children, and may ask detailed questions about any minors travelling with you. For more information on requirements when travelling with children, please consult the travel tips section on the CBSA website or visit travel.gc.ca.  

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

   

To expedite the border clearance process, apply to become a NEXUS member. For information on the NEXUS enrollment process and hours of operation, please visit the CBSA website.

Travellers are strongly encouraged to use alternate POEs that are easily accessible and may have shorter wait times. Lower mainland POEs include:

• Pacific Highway: One kilometre east of Douglas POE – take exit 275 off Interstate Five.

• Aldergrove: 20 kilometres east (approximately 20 minutes) of Douglas POE – turn east on    Street in Blaine, WA.

• Abbotsford-Huntingdon: 41 kilometres east (approximately 40 minutes) of Douglas POE – turn east on H street in Blaine, south on WA-539, east on WA-546 and north on WA-9. 
  

To avoid delays, travellers should also ensure they check border wait times. Here are ways to find out border wait times:

• Download the CanBorder app (CBSA’s free border wait time app);

• Visit the CBSA website for border wait times;

• As you approach Canada, pay attention to Washington Department of Transportation signage as it lists border crossings and estimated wait times; and

• The Government of British Columbia also has a page that lists border wait times.