(NC)-Every year, thousands of Canadians travel across the Canada/U.S. border to celebrate the holiday season and visit with family and friends.
Increased security and regulation in recent years has made border crossings a stressful and anxious process for many travellers.
This year take some advice from the pros. Experts in customs procedures and regulations, FedEx Canada offers the following tips to help make your
cross-border holiday travel hassle-free.
Cross Border Travel Tips:
- Avoid line-ups at land crossings by avoiding peak times like morning and evening rush hours.
- Ensure you have the necessary documentation. Passports and birth certificates are recommended over a driver?s license.
- Always answer questions from border officials directly and politely.
- Be sure to keep all of your original receipts.
- Each visitor to the United States may bring gifts to the value of $100.
- Visitors to Canada may bring gifts up to the value of $60 per gift.
- When returning to Canada, declare everything acquired abroad, whether purchases for yourself or gifts, as well as goods bought at a Canadian or foreign duty-free store.
- When returning after each absence of 24 hours or more, you may claim up to $50; after 48 hours or more, you can claim up to $200; and after each absence of seven days or more, you can claim $750.
- To calculate the number of days you have been absent, do not include the date you leave Canada, but do include the date you return.
- Certain items are restricted from entering Canada. If you are considering importing meat or dairy products or plants, obtain more information from the Canada Border Services Agency.
For more information on shipping gifts or food to recipients south of the border please visit www.fedex.ca.
