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  4. CBP Advise Travelers To Prepare For a Busy Holiday Weekend

CBP Advise Travelers To Prepare For a Busy Holiday Weekend

Release Date
Mon, 11/22/2010

Buffalo, N.Y. - Busy cross border travel is expected to begin the day after Thanksgiving and continue throughout December as the Holiday season begins. The Friday after Thanksgiving and is considered the beginning of the traditional Christmas shopping season. Many stores have extended hours, and some open as early as Midnight. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Field Operations wants to remind the traveling public that there are a number of steps that can be taken to facilitate their arrival into the United States.

Travelers should check traffic conditions at the four border crossings within the Buffalo/Niagara region and select the crossing that is least congested. Travelers can easily obtain current border traffic conditions by calling the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission's toll free number at 1-800-715-6722 or by visiting any of the following Web sites: 

Travelers should familiarize themselves with the "Know Before You Go" section of the CBP Web site and consult the border wait times page. Wait time information is updated hourly and is useful in identifying periods of light use/short waits. Travelers should have their approved travel- documents available for inspection and be prepared to declare all items acquired outside the U.S. For more information, please visit "Know Before You Go" and "Wait Times - Airport and Border" Web sites.

In compliance with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) implemented June 1, 2009, all travelers, including U.S. and Canadian citizens, need to present an approved-travel document to enter the U.S. by land and sea. These documents include a valid Passport, U.S. Passport Card, Trusted Traveler card (NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST) or an Enhanced Driver's License. Children under the age of 16 can present an original or copy of their birth certificate. For more information, please visit the WHTI Web site.

CBP strongly encourages travelers to obtain a radio frequency identification (RFID)-enabled travel document such as a U.S. Passport Card, Enhanced Driver's License/Enhanced Identification Card or Trusted Traveler Program card (NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST/EXPRES) to expedite their entry and make crossing the border more efficient.

WHTI-compliant, RFID-enabled documents help reduce the time it takes to process travelers at the border. No personal identification information is stored on the RFID chip embedded in the cards - only a series of ones and zeros that points to information in a secure CBP database.

WHTI document requirements for air travel have been in effect since January 2007.

CBP also reminds U.S. lawful permanent residents that the I-551 form ("green card") is acceptable for land and sea travel into the U.S.

Frequent cross-border travelers are encouraged to participate in the NEXUS program, which allows pre-screened, low-risk travelers to proceed with little or no delay into the United States and Canada. Application forms are available on the Canada Border Services Agency Web site and travelers can apply online at NEXUS Program. Additionally, NEXUS information is available toll-free at 1-866-NEXUS 26 (1-866-639-8726).

WHTI is the joint Department of State-Department of Homeland Security plan that implemented a key 9/11 Commission recommendation to establish document requirements for travelers entering the United States who were previously exempt, including citizens of the U.S., Canada and Bermuda.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021