BLAINE, Wash. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is reminding travelers planning trips across the border this holiday weekend into the United States to plan ahead and to anticipate increased traffic volumes during the celebration of British Columbia’s “BC Day” holiday weekend. Border traffic volumes are expected to peak during this period.
CBP strongly encourages travelers to plan your trip in advance and obtain a radio frequency identification (RFID)-enabled travel document such as an Enhanced Driver’s License/Enhanced Identification Card, US passport card or Trusted Traveler Program card (NEXUS, SENTRI, Global Entry or FAST/EXPRES) to expedite their entry and make future border crossings more efficient.
To avoid delays border crossers may want to use the nearby and less heavily traveled port of entry at Sumas on State Highway 9 or the Lynden port of entry available from 8 a.m. until midnight on State Highway 539.
Ready Lanes are open at Peace Arch (8 a.m. until 1 p.m., Monday through Friday), Lynden (noon until 4 p.m., Monday through Friday) and Sumas (11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday) for those travelers with RFID-enabled cards.
Do not attempt to bring fruits, meats and dairy/poultry products into the United States from Canada without first checking whether they are permitted. Review the tip sheet on the CBP website for additional information on how to become a “Ready Traveler” prior to your trip into the United States.
CBP officials continually monitor border crossing times at area ports of entry and plan to fully staff all inspection lanes during peak periods to maintain the flow of traffic.