PEMBINA, N.D. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations is reminding travelers planning trips across the border into the United States this holiday weekend to plan ahead and anticipate increased traffic volumes.
encourages travelers to plan ahead as
wait times at border crossings such as
the Pembina, North Dakota, port of entry
can increase during the holidays.
Border traffic volumes are expected to significantly increase during the weekend of Oct. 7 and continue through Oct. 10, for the observance of Thanksgiving in Canada and Columbus Day in the United States. All travelers are reminded of some simple steps they can employ to cross the border more efficiently.
1. Check out the new CBP informational website
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 before 6 a.m. or after 3 p.m. Most lines at the border start building in the morning and carry on into early afternoon. Monitor wait times for the ports of International Falls, Minnesota, and Pembina, North Dakota. Information is updated hourly and is useful in planning trips and identifying periods of light use/short waits.
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.
5. 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.
6. 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 ATF, State Dept., and Commerce Dept. websites or contact CBP at 701-825-5800.
Our dual mission is to facilitate travel in the United States while we secure our borders, our people and our visitors from those that would do us harm like terrorists and terrorist weapons, criminals and contraband.
For more information on international traveling into the United States visit CBP’s Travel section.