Pigeon River/Grand Portage border crossing. (Staff Photo)

With the holiday weekend fast approaching the Canada Border Services Agency is out with some tips to make crossing the border a smoother trip.

The agency is encouraging those using land crossings to plan ahead and come by during non-peak hours, with the Monday of the holiday weekend tending to be the busiest.

Have your documentation handy, know your exemption limits especially if you go for a quick shopping trip or are picking up online orders, and if travelling with children to have the consent letter clearing travel out of the country with the child.

Any food, plants or animals need to be declared and travellers are advised to consult the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s website, additionally, there are some restrictions on poultry both live and processed due to Avian Influenza.

When it comes to Cannabis, the CBSA has two simple rules, “Don’t Bring it in, Don’t take it out” crossing the border with any form of cannabis without a permit or exemption from Health Canada can result in arrest and prosecution.