TRAVELING WITH LULAV AND ESROG TO THE UNITED STATES

Dear Friend,

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (Department of Homeland Security) have made inspectors at border posts between Canada and the United States aware of the upcoming Succos Holiday. They have kindly arranged that there will be agricultural specialists available throughout the Yom Tov traveling period.

It is recommended that travelers traveling by car use the Champlain Border (Lacolle), as this border post will have more inspectors available.

At the same time, arrangements have also been made at Montreal’s Pierre Elliot Trudeau International Airport.
People who are traveling with Lulav and Esrog will be requested to hand these items over for examination at all border posts. Once these items have been inspected and are free of pests and/or diseases, they will be released. Members of border inspection are sensitive to the handling of these items, and will ensure at all times that the passenger opens, unwraps and rewraps the Lulav & Esrog. In order to avoid delays, the Lulav and Esrog should be easily accessible.

We have been asked to remind all travelers to have all of their travel documents well prepared and up to date. People who are traveling with birth certificates and not passports, should please ensure that these are original or a very clear, legible copy. Please be aware that inspectors will process passengers as quickly as they can, but delays could occur with unclear documentation.

We take this opportunity of wishing you and your families a good Yom Tov. 

Yours Sincerely,
Rabbi Saul Emanuel