Prepare before crossing the border

If you are among the many Yumans and winter visitors planning to travel into Mexico this time of year, federal officials say there's information that will make your border crossing much easier.

That is why U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials have launched their "Know Before You Go" campaign. It offers a few simple tips that can minimize your wait - and everybody else's in the process.

"This is probably the best information a traveler can have," said Ray Nagy, director of the Andrade Port of Entry. "I also recommend that you declare everything you are bringing back from Mexico."

Nagy knows all too well how backed up things can get at the port, especially this time of year. That's why he wants the traveling public to know they can all play a role in minimizing wait times.

"It's just a matter of being prepared," Nagy said.

The months from October to March are the busiest time of year at the port. Nagy said more than 10,000 people can pass through the pedestrian inspection area of the Andrade border crossing on any given day during the winter months.

Nagy said February is often the busiest of those months, with as many as 1,000 people crossing the border an hour between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

"Pedestrian wait times are pretty much nonexistent right now. It takes about four seconds per person, per inspection if they are ready."

As part of the ongoing construction for port improvement, Nagy said, two more pedestrian crossing lanes have been added. Those lanes enable Customs officers to process twice as many people as before.

Nagy added that they are also seeing more summer visitors crossing the border than in years past.

Another important change at the port was moving the pedestrian crosswalk from out in front of the vehicle inspection lanes. Nagy said there are also plans to add a third vehicle inspection lane.

The easiest thing a traveler can do to speed up the process is to be ready and have the proper documentation in hand. Nagy said when travelers immediately hand over their documents to the officer, it speeds up the entire process.  But when they don't do so - or if crossers are busy doing something else - that can delay things considerably.

As for declaring items, Nagy said this doesn't just mean items you bought but also anything that was given to you, especially food. To be on the safe side, he recommends declaring everything.

Agriculture Customs Officer Natalie Greynolds added that many travelers have no idea there are dozens of plants and animal products that cannot be brought into the country due to disease and possible contamination.

"Right now citrus is a concern and we are being very cautious about all citrus coming across the border," Greynolds said.

A full listing of all the prohibited/restricted items can be found at U.S. Customs and Border Protection Web site at www.cbp.gov or by calling the CBP Info Center at 1-877-227-5511.

The CBP Info Center is able to provide travelers with with information about CBP's regulations and procedures.

Here are the tips the CBP provides to help make crossing the border a speedier process:

• Travelers should familiarize themselves with the “Know Before You Go” section of the CBP Web site (www.customs.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/kbyg) to avoid fines and penalties associated with the importation of prohibited items.

• Travelers should prepare for the inspection process before arriving at the inspection booth. They should have their approved travel documents available for the inspection and they should be prepared to declare all items acquired abroad.

• Members of the traveling public should consult the CBP Web site site to monitor border wait times for various ports of entry. Information is updated hourly and is useful in planning trips and identifying periods of light use/short waits. During periods of heavy travel, border crossers may wish to consider alternative, less heavily traveled entry routes.

• Travelers should also plan to build extra time into their trips in the event they cross during periods of exceptionally heavy traffic.

• Know the difference between goods for personal use versus commercial use. For more details, visit www.cbp.gov/travel.

• Do not try to bring fruits, meats, dairy/poultry products and firewood into the United States without first checking whether they are permitted.CBP Supervisor Janie Kehler said travelers can see the entire "Know Before You Go" pamphlet online at the agency's Web site.

Travelers can also get a pamphlet at any Customs office.

James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854.