Going to a concert in Canada? How your border patrol wait time will be affected
Summer concerts are something everyone looks forward to. From the moment you purchase the tickets to the day of the show, the anticipation builds.
It’s a common occurrence for Washington residents to cross the border and visit Canada for a concert or two. One of the most headache-inducing aspects is border patrol—and concerts make it worse.
Can the process be made any easier? How much longer will the wait be?
Here’s what to know:
Who’s playing at Rogers Arena in Vancouver B.C. this summer?
Before the fall equinox on Sept. 22, here’s everyone who will be headlining at Rogers Arena, according to Live Nation:
- Sunday, June 14: Alex Warren
- Wednesday, June 17: Ne-Yo & Akon
- Friday, June 19: Kid Cudi
- Thursday, June 25: Don Toliver
- Monday, June 29: Machine Gun Kelly
- Wednesday, July 1: A$AP Rocky
- Friday, July 3: Summer Walker
- Saturday, July 4: Five Second Of Summer
- Wednesday, July 22: Chris Stapleton
- Thursday, July 23: Nate Bargatez
- Sunday, August 9: IVE
- Sunday, August 16 and Monday 17: Daniel Caesar
- Monday, August 24: J. Cole
- Thursday, August 27: The Strokes
- Sunday, August 30: The Red Clay Strays
- Saturday, Sept. 5 and Sunday 6: Tame Impala
- Friday, Sept. 11: Cody Johnson
- Saturday, Sept. 12: Weezer
- Thursday, Sept. 17: Brandi Carlile
- Friday, Sept. 18: Jimmy Carr
- Sunday, Sept. 20: Bring Me The Horizon
- Monday, Sept. 21: Lily Allen
How do summer concerts in Canada affect border wait times?
Heading into Canada, wait times vary day by day, Kelly Cameron, Spokesperson for the Canada Border Services Agency, told The Herald via email.
“The Agency continuously monitors traveler volumes and wait times and adjusts staffing levels to minimize border wait times at ports of entry, without compromising safety and security,” Cameron said. “We encourage travelers to plan ahead, expect delays, and check border wait times to prepare for a smoother trip knowing there will be increased traveler volumes and increased wait times at travel peaks.”
The largest increase in border wait times can occur when returning to the U.S., especially during music or sporting events, Jason Givens, a Spokesperson for the U.S.-Canadian Border Patrol told The Herald via email.
The shared message across the Canadian and U.S. borders is for travelers to plan ahead as much as they can.
How can I make crossing the border easier?
To make your experience at the U.S.-Canadian border a little smoother, ensure all your documents are together and easily accessible to present to the border agent.
You should also be prepared to declare whatever you plan on bringing into the country.
What do I have to declare when crossing the Canadian border?
When crossing the Canadian border, you are required to “declare all goods you acquired while outside Canada, such as purchases, gifts, prizes or awards that you are bringing with you or are having shipped to you,” according to government officials.
You also need to declare “goods that are still in your possession that you bought at a Canadian or foreign duty-free shop,” the Canada Border Services Agency said.
What do I need to declare at the US border?
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, these are some of the items that must be declared when crossing from Canada into the United States:
- Plants
- Seeds
- Fresh cut flowers
- Greenery
- Meat
- Poultry
- Dairy products
- Eggs or eggs products
- Pet food or treats
- Homegrown, dried, frozen or canned fruits and vegetables
U.S. agricultural inspectors will examine your items to make sure they do not “harbor harmful foreign pests or diseases,” the federal agency said. “We recommend that you keep receipts and original packaging of agricultural products as proof of their country of origin.”