What's it take to get to Canada these days? Changing laws need not make it difficult to do business across the border.

The "Know Before You Go" is just one of several campaigns by U.S. Customs ft Border Patrol (CBP) to educate travelers that U.S. land border crossing requirements have changed. On June 1, 2009 - the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) went into effect, requiring U.S. citizens returning home by land or sea from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean or Bermuda to present one of several approved documents which denote proof of identity and citizenship. (WHTI went into effect for air travelers on January 23, 2007.)

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Approved documents that can be used to gain entry into the U.S. include the following:

* U.S. Passport - An internationally recognized travel document that verifies a person's identity and nationality. It is accepted for travel by air, land and sea.

* U.S. Passport Card - A new, limited-use travel document that fits in your wallet and costs less than a U.S. Passport. It is only valid for travel by land and sea.

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* Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) - Several states and Canadian provinces, including Michigan, have issued this form of enhanced driver's license to denote identity and citizenship. It is specifically designed for cross-border travel into the U.S. by land or sea.

* Trusted Traveler Program Cards - NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST enrollment cards are issued only to pre-approved, low-risk travelers. The cards are valid for use at land or sea; the NEXUS card can also be used in airports equipped with a NEXUS kiosk.

* Special Groups - U.S and Canadian children under age 16 arriving into the U.S. by land or sea from Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean need only present proof of citizenship such as an original or copy of their birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, a Naturalization Certificate or a Canadian Citizenship Card.

Visit the U.S. CBP Web site for information about travel requirements for Groups of Children, Native Americans, "Closed Loop" Cruises, U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents, U.S. Military, Merchant Mariners, Ferries and Small Boats and Boaters.

Knowing what documents are required and having them ready when you return home will help streamline the entry process and ensure your return to the U.S. is as smooth as possible.

For nearly three decades, the Detroit Regional Chamber has played an active role in advocating for necessary changes in border policy and infrastructure to make the flow of passenger and freight traffic more seamless and efficient. Since September 11, the chamber has convened monthly meetings of a bi-national border group known as NBEST to continue to advocate for needed changes and improvements at the border. And most recently, working in partnership with the Michigan Secretary of State, the chamber led a successful effort advocating for the state to develop and offer its residents the option of using an enhanced driver's license (EDL) as proof of identity and citizenship when crossing the Detroit-Windsor border.

For more information about the new border crossing travel requirements, go to www.cbp.gov/travel. If you are interested in participating in the chamber's border advocacy programs, contact Claudia Berry at 313-596-0329 or cberry@detroitchamber.com.

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