British Columbians who plan to travel over the Easter Long Weekend should brace for longer waits due to increased traveller volumes.
Travellers face longer waits in airports, at the border, at ferry terminals, and on major highways across the province over the holiday weekend, starting on Thursday, April 5.
The Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) has released a list of tips for people who plan to cross the Canada-U.S. border over the popular travel time, advising them to plan their trip in advance of travel.
Check border wait times and other ports of entry.
- Border wait times are updated hourly, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Find out the most recent wait time information online.
- The CBSA encourages travellers to travel during non-peak times, such as early in the morning, to avoid long waits.
Have your travel documents ready.
- Whether you travel by air, land, or water, having your travel documents ready to show a border services officer will expedite this process. It may help to have them together in a small bag or travel envelope that you can easily access at security checkpoints.
Use ArriveCAN to fill out your CBSA declaration in advance.
- Travellers who arrive at YVR or Toronto Lester B. Pearson International Airport (YYZ), Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL), Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport (YWG), Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ), Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB), Ottawa International Airport (YOW), Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ), or Calgary International Airport (YYC) can make their customs and immigration declaration to the CBSA before they arrive via the ArriveCAN app.
- Travellers who do this can use the express lanes to get to an airport kiosk or eGate faster.
- Find out more information about how to use the feature with our guide.
Considerations for travelling with children.
- An accompanying adult should have a consent letter that authorizes them to travel with the child if they share custody or are not the parent or legal guardian.
- Border services officers watch for missing children. In the absence of the letter, they may ask additional questions.
Avoid importing raw poultry products or by-products.
- There are currently restrictions on imports of live birds, bird products and by-products from U.S. states affected by Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza.
- Canadians should avoid bringing poultry products into the country. It is not recommended to bring poultry products into Canada. Otherwise, be prepared to prove the origin of your poultry product at the border.
Some treats are okay...provided they don't exceed a certain weight.
- You should know your personal exemption limits. Use the CBSA duty and taxes estimator to help calculate your monies owed. The CBSA notes that "you can certainly bring in your Easter chocolate as long as it's for personal use and doesn't exceed a certain weight!"
- If you are bringing food, plant, and animal products into Canada, the CBSA advises that you consult the Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website.
Tips for taking Vancouver flights at YVR
Air passengers can do several things in advance of travel to save time at the airport.
- Travellers are encouraged to check flight details with YVR online or with their airline before arriving. By checking in before you arrive, you can avoid lining up to get your boarding pass and it will appear on your smart device. You may also print off a copy.
- Travellers to the United States can also "skip the line" by reserving a time slot via the new YVR Express program. You may reserve a spot up to 72 hours in advance.
- U.S. Customer Customs Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app: The U.S. Customs and Border Protection offers an MPC app that allows travellers to submit information digitally before they visit the border. By using the app, travellers may "experience shorter wait times, less congestion, and efficient processing."
- YVR advises travellers to arrive at least two hours before domestic flights and three hours before U.S. and international ones. However, you should give yourself more time — and more time on your commute to the airport — during inclement weather.
- If you are driving, be sure to pre-book your parking. To avoid the roads, consider taking the convenient Canada Line, which will take you directly to the airport from downtown Vancouver in 30 minutes.
Tips for sailing with BC Ferries
B.C. Ferries is adding more than 180 sailings to its regular schedule for the Easter long weekend as it anticipates moving 400,000 travellers.
An extra 128 sailings are available between Swartz Bay and Tsawwassen, 42 between Departure Bay and Horseshoe Bay and 16 between Horseshoe Bay and Langdale.
On the day of your sailing with BC Ferries, check Current Conditions and All Routes at a Glance for the status of your sailing. You can also monitor @BCFerries on Twitter for regular updates.
- Book your travel in advance to avoid the possibility of sailing waits during peak travel times
- Consider public transport if road conditions are poor
- Give yourself extra time to get to the terminal and check-in for your sailing, traffic and transit may be busier
- Dress for cold and wet weather, and travel with extra layers
For more information, visit the CBSA Web site or call them at 1-800-461-9999.
With files from The Times Colonist.
