Clearing customs

Carry a NEXUS card. This handy little item allows pre-screened business travellers entering Canada or the U.S. to skip the customs line altogether.

Carry less undocumented stuff. Register electronics with customs before you leave Canada to prove they aren’t subject to duty upon your return. If you’re travelling with business goods, get an ATA Carnet (also known as a “merchandise passport”) to avoid tariffs on goods that won’t stay in the destination country for more than a year. And try to ship conference supplies in advance.

Ditch the sausage. Crossing a border with certain plant, animal or food products—even candied nuts—can trigger penalties or additional screening. If you’re not sure about an item’s status as you move through customs, inform the agent rather than hoping for the best.

Declare all goods. “Even if you’re going to and from the U.S. on the same day, don’t assume that you won’t be searched,” says a former Canadian customs official.

Act naturally. Flight crews often tip off border agents to passengers who are behaving suspiciously, and customs officials are usually intrigued by long-winded answers to simple questions.