7 tips for Canadian snowbirds heading home

Are you a Canadian snowbird who's heading home for the spring? If so, you may want to prepare for traffic that may rival holiday travel seasons.

The Canada Border Services Agency released several words of wisdom for those of you returning to the Great White North. This may pertain to a number of Coachella Valley residents who are typically in the area from October through April.

Make sure to have appropriate travel documents ready to present to the CBSA officer. A passport is traditional and adequate.
Have all receipts from purchases made outside of Canada and make them available to a CBSA officer.
Do not wrap packages. Inspectors may need to examine them to verify declarations.
Food, plants and animal products are among items that need to be declared immediately. Raw poultry products from North Dakota, Indiana and Missouri are not allowed in Canada.
Prepare for long waits at border crossings or airport customs checkpoints.
Get to the border early in the morning, before the daily rush kicks in and creates long lines of people waiting to re-enter Canada. The best options are at entryways that are open 24 hours per day.
At international airports, complete declaration cards in advance and keep them handy. You will be asked to show this card several times once you get off a plane.

The agency typically sees significant border traffic during this period. Last year, for example, CBSA officers in the Prairie Provinces and Northwest Territories processed 1.3 million travelers in March and April, according to the agency.