CORNWALL, Ontario – If the looming weekend involves some shopping in the United States the Canada Border Service Agency has a message for you.
Hurry up and wait.
The CBSA said Monday it is expecting lengthy waits at some area border crossing at times later this week, as the unofficial start to the Christmas shopping season begins with Black Friday.
Three local crossings were included in a missive from CBSA Monday, and include:
Cornwall port of entry (@CBSA_CWL): peak traffic volumes are anticipated between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturday and between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Sunday when border wait times may exceed 30 minutes.
Prescott port of entry (@CBSA_PCT): peak traffic volumes are anticipated on Monday between 4 and 5 p.m., when border wait times may exceed 30 minutes.
Lansdowne (Thousand Islands Bridge) port of entry (@CBSA_TIB): peak traffic volumes are anticipated on Monday, between 3 and 4 p.m. and between 6 and 7 p.m., when border wait times may exceed 30 minutes.
The CBSA advises travellers to plan their border crossing outside of peak traffic periods if possible and to check border wait times on the CBSA’s Web site or on Twitter.
After an absence of 24 hours, shoppers may bring back $200 worth of goods duty- and tax-free; after 48 hours, a personal exemption is $800.
There are no personal exemptions for same-day purchases.