BLAINE, Wash. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Field Operations (OFO), is reminding travelers planning trips across the border this weekend into the United States to make sure they have their proper documents and to anticipate holiday traffic during the celebration of Thanksgiving on November 27.
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.
CBP is urging all foreign travelers requiring I-94 or I-94W (visa waiver) entry document processing to obtain the essential document early instead of waiting until the day of their travel to avoid potential delays at the border. Travelers are encouraged to obtain the required document as much as a week in advance for faster and more convenient processing. All travelers requesting an I-94 or I-94W entry document may be required to establish financial solvency, proof of residency outside the U.S. and demonstrate that they have sufficiently strong ties to their country of origin including a home abroad they do not intend to abandon.
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 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.