Extended Hours Begin March 1 at Wild Horse Ports of Entry

Havre, Mont. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection reminds travelers that the ports of Wild Horse, Mont., and Wild Horse, Alberta, will go to their extended hours of 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on March 1. The ports will operate on this schedule until Oct. 31.

Historically, the established time span for extended summer service has been much shorter, from May 15 to September 30. CBP has lengthened the dates of extended summer service in 2011 on a trial basis in order to facilitate the flow of goods and people across the border and to assess the need for a permanent change in coverage.

Both ports are currently on winter hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHITI), implemented June 1, 2009, requires U.S. and Canadian citizens, age 16 and older to present a valid, acceptable document that denotes both identity and citizenship when entering the U.S. by land or sea. WHITI-approved travel documents include a passport, U.S. Passport Card, enhanced driver’s licenses (EDLs) or a trusted traveler program card (NEXUS, SENTRI, and FAST). ( Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) )

Because Wild Horse remains a permit port, a permit is required to import commercial merchandise into the U.S. through the port of Wild Horse. The Great Falls Area Port is ready to review applications and issue permits for commercial merchandise being imported into the U.S. Permits must be approved in advance by the Great Falls Area Port. Contact the Supervisory Entry Officer at 406-453-7631 for more information.

Do not attempt to bring unauthorized fruits, meats and dairy/poultry products into the U.S. from Canada without first checking whether they are permitted. Review the “Know Before You Go” tip sheet at U.S. Customs and Border Protection web site for additional information concerning your trip into the United States. ( U.S. Customs and Border Protection )

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.