Many Manitobans are preparing to head south for the Labour Day long weekend.

In an effort to make things easier for travelers, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is providing a few tips for travelers when they return home.

“I just want to encourage travelers to plan ahead for your trip,” said CBSA Communications Officer Luke Reimer. “One of the things they can do is consider crossing in the morning. There's the saying 'the early bird gets the worm', and that's really true at the border too. Line-ups often start building in the afternoon and evening, which are peak times for us.”

Reimer says its also a good idea to keep your ID handy when you arrive at the border.

If possible, Reimer recommends travelers cross at Emerson, which can handle the greatest amount of traffic in southern Manitoba. He says the Emerson crossing will be operating at maximum capacity during peak times.

Travelers are allowed to bring back goods valued up to $200 CDN without paying duties or taxes if out of the country for 24 hours or more.

You can bring up to $800 CDN if gone for 48 hours or more.

Labour Day weekend is one of the busiest weekends for CBSA officers. Last year 19,000 travelers crossed the border in southern Manitoba.

For more information contact CBSA at 1-800-4661-9999 or visit http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca.