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  4. CBP Announces Opening of the Port of Chief Mountain

CBP Announces Opening of the Port of Chief Mountain

Release Date
Fri, 05/12/2017

CHIEF MOUNTAIN, Mont. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations (OFO) is pleased to announce that the Port of Chief Mountain reopens for the season on May 15 at 9 a.m.

Hours of Operation (Mountain Daylight Time):

May 15 – 31: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
June 1 – Sept. 1: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sept. 2 – 30: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Chief Mountain is located on Highway 17 in Glacier County, Montana, and is a convenient route connecting travelers to Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park in Alberta from Glacier National Park in Montana.

The Chief Mountain Port of Entry
The Chief Mountain, Montana, Port of
Entry is reopening for the season on May 15.

Recent changes to the Visa Waiver Program were implemented on April 1, 2016. As part of the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Prevention Act of 2015, Visa Waiver Program (VWP) travelers entering the United States must have an e-Passport. Travelers from VWP countries are still eligible to travel to the United States without an e-Passport if they have a valid nonimmigrant visa. Travelers can apply for a nonimmigrant visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate.

An e-Passport is an enhanced secure passport with an embedded electronic chip. E-passports bear a unique, international e-Passport symbol on the cover. Additional information about VWP, Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), and e-Passports may be found in the Travel section on the cbp.gov website and at the State Department website.

CBP also offers travelers tips to help expedite processing at Chief Mountain.

  • Plan your trip to avoid peak travel times typically between the hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Avoid processing delays by traveling with the required documents:
    • Citizens of the United States or Canada should have required proof of citizenship documents ready upon arrival at the primary inspection booth. You may present a valid passport, a passport card, an enhanced driver’s license, a trusted traveler card (NEXUS, SENTRI, Global Entry or FAST/EXPRES), lawful permanent resident card, or current U.S. and Canadian tribal documents as your Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) compliant document.
    • Citizens of Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries require an e-Passport or a passport and nonimmigrant visa.
    • Citizens of non-VWP countries require a passport and nonimmigrant visa
  • Traveling with minor children without both parents? A notarized travel permission letter should accompany minors when both parents are not present.
  • Declare all of your purchases, merchandise acquired, and gifts received to the CBP officer, including fruits, vegetables, live animals, and meat products. Keep your receipts as proof of where the items were purchased. Failure to declare may result in penalties (fines) of $300 or more.
  • Most U.S. or Canadian grown fruits and vegetables may enter the U.S. from Canada, except citrus, tomatoes, peppers, and home-grown potatoes, which are prohibited. Each vehicle may enter with up to 50 pounds of Canadian-origin beef, pork, or chicken for personal use only. Meats, fruits, or vegetables purchased in the U.S. prior to entering Canada are not restricted (keep your receipt and leave the labels on).
  • Do not bring firewood. All firewood is prohibited unless accompanied by a heat treatment certificate. Travelers with prohibited firewood will be returned to Canada to dispose of firewood. Don’t Move Firewood! Buy It Where You Burn It!
  • Traveling with pets? Dogs that are at least three months old need signed and dated certificates from a veterinarian verifying they have been vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days before entering the U.S.
  • Any weapons or ammunition must be declared when leaving or entering the United States.
  • You must also declare any currency in excess of $10,000 when leaving or entering the United States.
  • Never attempt to cross the border outside of the established hours of operation.
  • For additional questions, or clarification on the information listed above on entering the U.S., please visit the Know Before You Go page in the Travel section at http://www.cbp.gov/ .

For information on entering Canada, please visit www.cbsa.gc.ca or call 800-461-9999

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021