Black Friday kicks off Nov. 25

Black Friday, Nov. 25 this year, kick-starts the holiday shopping season, bringing with it an expected increase in traveler volumes as Canadians cross the border in search of deals.

If you cross the border, plan your travels with the following tips:

Bring the correct travel documents.

A valid Canadian passport, while not mandatory, is the preferred piece of identification for Canadians entering Canada and the United States.

Other acceptable identification includes an enhanced driver's license, a Secure Certificate of Indian Status, a NEXUS card, or a Free and Secure Trade (FAST) card when travelling by land or boat. 

For more information about U.S. entry requirements, visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Web site at www.CBP.gov.

Are you a frequent cross-border traveller?

Save yourself time at the border with your NEXUS card!

Not a member? Join NEXUS to take advantage of simplified and expedited border clearance for low-risk, pre-approved members!

Declaring your goods.

As a Canadian resident, you may qualify for a personal exemption, depending on the length of time you were away. Keep all of your receipts close at hand and have the total of your combined receipts readily available. For personal exemption limits and more, visit the CBSA Web site.

Avoid travelling with any valuables, but if you must…

Available at all CBSA offices is a free identification service for items that have serial numbers or other unique markings, making them identifiable for customs purposes as goods that are legally in Canada.

For more information visit the CBSA Web site.

Plan ahead!

Plan your border crossing to avoid peak times and check Canada-bound border wait times on the CBSA Web site and on Twitter.

And don't forget!

Visit www.cbsa.gc.ca for more information, including entry requirements into Canada for non-Canadians, and to download a copy of I Declare, a detailed publication describing what to expect when bringing goods into Canada.