CNBNews

• Peace Arch: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Friday
• Lynden: 12 p.m. (noon) to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday
• Sumas: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

To avoid delays, border crossers may want to use the nearby and less traveled Sumas Port of Entry on State Highway 9 (open seven days per week, 24 hours per day) or the Lynden Port of Entry on State Highway 539 (open from 8 a.m. until midnight).

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.

All travelers are reminded of a six simple steps they can employ to cross the border more efficiently:

1. Check out the new CBP informational website: http://www.cbp.gov/

The CBP site has been completely redesigned to help users quickly access the content they need. It also is optimized for access by smart phones and makes use of a new content delivery network that will improve access internationally.

2. Beat the border rush

Cross during off-peak times, such as between the hours of 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. or after 5 p.m. Most lines at the border start building in the morning and carry on through the afternoon.  Monitor wait times on the internet or via a mobile app named, “CBP Border Wait Times.” Information is updated hourly and is useful in planning trips and identifying periods of light use/short waits. 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.

3. Keep travel documents handy

Make sure each passenger has the correct travel document accessible and ready to give to the CBP officer. If you are a frequent international traveler and have not already become a member of a trusted traveler program, sign up now. For more information, please visit CBP’s Trusted Traveler site.

4. Know the contents of your vehicles and be prepared to declare all items

Travelers are required to declare all items being imported into the United States from Canada. If you are not sure about what to declare, do not hesitate to ask the CBP officer.

5. Declare all firearms

Travelers are reminded that specific requirements must be met to import or export firearms and ammunition to/from the United States. For more information on the importation or exportation of firearms and ammunition visit ATF, State Dept., and Commerce Dept. websites or contact CBP at (406) 453-7631.

6. Know what food products can be imported

Many fruits, meats, dairy and poultry products are prohibited from being imported into the United States from Canada. For more information, view prohibited and restricted items and foods permitted into U.S. for personal use.

Our dual mission is to facilitate travel in the United States while we secure our borders, our people and our visitors from those that would do us harm like terrorists and terrorist weapons, criminals and contraband.