CBP offers border holiday travel advisory: Labor Day

Press release

GREAT FALLS — U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations is reminding travelers planning trips across the border this holiday weekend into the United States to make sure they have their proper documents and to plan ahead. Border traffic volumes are expected to peak during this period.

CBP strongly encourages travelers to plan your trip in advance and obtain a radio frequency identification (RFID)-enabled travel document such as an Enhanced Driver’s License/Enhanced Identification Card, U.S. passport card or Trusted Traveler Program card (NEXUS, SENTRI, Global Entry or FAST/EXPRES) to expedite entry and make future border crossings more efficient. For more information, visit http://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs.

  To avoid delays, border crossers may want to use the nearby and less traveled Del Bonita, Montana, Port of Entry on State Highway 213 (open daily from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m. through Sept. 15),  or the Wild Horse, Montana, Port of Entry on State Highway 232 (open daily from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m. through Sept. 30).

CBP is urging all foreign travelers requiring I-94 or I-94W (visa waiver) entry document processing to obtain the essential document early instead of waiting until the day of their travel to avoid potential delays at the border. Travelers are encouraged to obtain the required document as much as a week in advance for faster and more convenient processing. All travelers requesting an I-94 or I-94W entry document may be required to establish financial solvency, proof of residency outside the U.S. and demonstrate that they have sufficiently strong ties to their country of origin including a home abroad they do not intend to abandon. For more information, visit http://1.usa.gov/1EDoEy7.

All travelers are reminded of a seven simple steps they can employ to cross the border more efficiently:

1. Check out the CBP informational website at http://www.cbp.gov.

The CBP site has been completely redesigned to help users quickly access the content they need. It also is optimized for access by smart phones and makes use of a new content delivery network that will improve access internationally.

2. Beat the border rush

Cross during off-peak times, such as between the hours of 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. or after 5 p.m. Most lines at the border start building in the morning and carry on through the afternoon. Monitor wait times on the internet at http://1.usa.gov/1UulgY6 or via a mobile app named, “CBP Border Wait Times.” Information is updated hourly and is useful in planning trips and identifying periods of light use/short waits. CBP officials continually monitor border crossing times at area ports of entry and plan to fully staff all inspection lanes during peak periods to maintain the flow of traffic.

3. Keep travel documents handy

Make sure each passenger has the correct travel document accessible and ready to give to the CBP officer. If you are a frequent international traveler and have not already become a member of a trusted traveler program, sign up now. For more information, please visit CBP’s Trusted Traveler site.

  4. Know the contents of your vehicles and be prepared to declare all items

Travelers are required to declare all items being imported into the United States from Canada. If you are not sure about what to declare, do not hesitate to ask the CBP officer. Visit http://1.usa.gov/1rJA6RD for more information.

  5. Declare all firearms

Travelers are reminded that specific requirements must be met to import or export firearms and ammunition to/from the United States. For more information on the importation or exportation of firearms and ammunition visit the websites of ATF at https://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/imports.html, State Department at http://www.pmddtc.state.gov, and Commerce Department at http://www.bis.doc.gov or contact CBP at 406-453-7631.

6. Know what food products can be imported

Many fruits, meats, dairy and poultry products are prohibited from being imported into the United States from Canada. For more information, view prohibited and restricted items at http://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/agricultural-items and foods permitted into U.S. for personal use at http://1.usa.gov/1tors5X.

7. Leave medical marijuana at home

Although medical marijuana is legal in many U.S. States and Canada, the sale, possession, production and distribution of marijuana all remain illegal under federal law.

CBP’s dual mission is to facilitate travel in the United States while securing borders, citizenz and visitors from those that would do harm, like terrorists and terrorist weapons, criminals and contraband.

For more information on international traveling into the United States visit CBP’s Travel site at http://www.cbp.gov/travel.