May 13, 2026 Team Contributor
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is asking travellers to prepare in advance during the Victoria Day, which falls on Monday, May 18. All the airports and border crossings across Canada are expected to get busier during this long weekend.
In a travel advisory released on May 12, 2026, the agency advised travellers to keep travel documents ready, declare all goods properly, and check border regulations before entering the country. As per the CBSA travel advisory, travellers who prepare in advance can help speed up border processing. This will be allowing their officers to focus more on security concerns and prohibited goods.
Canada Border Traffic Expected to Increase
According to the CBSA, Canada welcomed more than 82 million travellers in 2025. During the same year, border officers intercepted over 83,200 kilograms of illegal drugs and kept more than 17,700 firearms and weapons off Canadian streets.
The agency expects the Victoria Day holiday period to bring longer wait times at several border points, especially on Monday, which is traditionally the busiest travel day of the weekend.
CBSA Border Tips for Travellers Crossing Canada by Road
- Check live border wait times before starting your trip
- Cross the border early in the morning to avoid heavy traffic
- Use alternative entry points if major crossings are crowded
- Confirm border crossing hours before travelling
The CBSA also warned that ongoing construction work at the Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle port of entry in Quebec may result in additional delays.
Must-Know Canada Border Guidelines for Travellers
Officials reminded travellers that certain goods remain restricted or prohibited at Canadian borders.
The CBSA officials specifically warned against:
- Carrying cannabis across international borders without Health Canada authorization
- Bringing undeclared firearms or weapons into Canada
- Importing raw poultry products or homemade foods containing poultry
- Transporting goods for strangers across the border
Travellers flying into Canada are also encouraged to use the Advance Declaration system to complete customs and immigration forms before arrival at participating airports.
CBSA issued a similar guideline for travellers crossing Canada borders during the March Break in 2026.
Important Information for Holiday Travellers
Travellers returning to Canada should keep purchase receipts accessible and review personal exemption limits before crossing the border. Those travelling with children without legal custody are advised to carry signed consent letters from parents or guardians.
Boat travellers must report to the CBSA immediately upon entering Canadian waters. Officials also recommend checking alternate GPS routes through apps like Google Maps or Waze to avoid long traffic queues at major crossings.
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