Don't bring your guns: CBSA tells Americans travelling to Canada for U.S. Thanksgiving

The Canada Border Services Agency has issued a set of tips to travellers from the United States intending to cross into Canada during the upcoming U.S. Thanksgiving long weekend.

Ranking high on the CBSA list are reminders not to bring cannabis, firearms or homemade food containing turkey.

“Be sure to review current restrictions on poultry and birds from the United States before bringing these products across the border,” the agency says in a Nov. 25 press release. “Homemade food or leftovers containing poultry (including turkey) cannot be brought into Canada.”

The agency also says travellers from the U.S. should “leave (their) firearms and weapons at home. You are encouraged not to travel with firearms.”

For cannabis users, the CBSA warning is clear: “Don’t bring it in.”

While cannabis is legal in Canada, notes the CBSA, “bringing it across the border in any form, including oils, without a permit or exemption authorized by Health Canada is a serious criminal offence subject to arrest and prosecution.”

Moreover, says the CBSA, a medical prescription from a doctor does not count toward a Health Canada authorization.

The CBSA says it is “always watching for missing children,” so travellers with children who are not their own, or for whom they don’t have full legal custody, a consent letter from the parent or legal guardian authorizing travel with the child is recommended.

For land-border crossers the CBSA aims to help with wait times and suggests travellers check border wait times available on the list of every crossing provided by the agency.

“Early mornings are the best time to cross the border to avoid wait times,” says the CBSA. “The Monday of holiday long weekends tend to be the busiest. Consider an alternative port of entry with shorter wait times or less traffic.”

Travellers can also check a specific port of entry’s hours of operation on the official CBSA Directory of Offices and Services .

Otherwise, the CBSA suggests travellers have their travel documents readily available to present to a CBSA officer when coming into Canada.

“U.S. citizens must carry proper identification to enter Canada such as a valid passport or NEXUS card when travelling by land or air. This will speed up processing times at the border.”

The CBSA urges travellers to be “prepared to declare” everything they bring with them, including gifts and food. The agency notes that people arriving by land are responsible for everything inside their vehicles. It suggests that travellers who are not sure what to declare, call the CBSA at 1-800-461-9999.

For travellers flying into Canada, it is recommended that they use the advance declaration , which can be done up to 72 hours in advance of arrival.

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