The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) came off a very busy month of December with a number of incidents involving people attempting to avoid paying GST or other taxes as well as a number of people being denied entry due to criminal records.
In 2010, CBSA officers at North Portal alone, seized almost $1 million worth of goods and restricted, controlled and prohibited items from travellers entering Canada.
With these seizures, some were held as forfeit while others were returned to the individuals after they paid penalties. Assessed penalties in 2010 totalled $203,639 while the goods seized were valued at $990,170.
CBSA is also acknowledging International Customs Day today (Wed. Jan. 26) as the public's way to recognize the contribution customs services make to Canada at their international borders and ports. The day is being marked in several ways across the country to acknowledge the valuable work being done by CBSA employees.
As evidence of the type of work they do, it was reported that on Dec. 4, a North Dakota resident was denied entry into Canada when officers discovered through investigation that the subject had been charged with being in possession of marijuana, driving while intoxicated and was a fugitive from justice.
The next day a South Dakota resident seeking entry into Canada for a visit was refused after it was determined that he had been convicted of conspiracy to defraud the United States government and crop insurance fraud.
That same day, two North Dakota residents seeking entry to deliver a commercial load to Alberta were refused for criminality. The driver, it was learned, had eight drug-related convictions while the passenger had 14 drug charges laid against him as well as burglary, vehicular manslaughter, assaults and child cruelty.
An Oklahoma resident was denied entry into Canada on Dec. 7 since he had previous burglary convictions and aggravated assault.
On Dec. 8, CBSA officers arrested a person for impaired driving and transferred the driver to members of the Estevan detachment of the RCMP after the CBSA officers had administered a road-side screening which the driver failed.
On Dec. 31, a commercial driver from Texas was denied entry due to previous convictions for robbery and assault.
On the first day of the month, an Alberta resident moving back to Canada declared a nunchaku and an over-capacity ammunition magazine, both of which are prohibited in Canada. While CBSA officers conducted an examination of the vehicle, they found a second nunchaku and two more over capacity ammunition magazines. All weapons and ammunition were seized and the traveller was issued a $1,000 penalty.
On Dec. 2, an Alberta resident reported into the border and stated he was importing a motorhome from South Carolina, declaring the purchase price of $40,000. However, CBSA officers discovered the actual purchase price was US$65,000. The importer admitted to undervaluing the home in an attempt to save money. The motorhome was seized and the importer was fined $14,089.52.
CBSA noted that if the actual purchase price had been declared the taxes owing would have amounted to a just $1,280.
On Dec. 6, a Saskatchewan resident importing a vehicle from New York declared that it had been purchased for US$21,000. During a secondary examination, CBSA officers determined the actual purchase price had been US$29,000 so the vehicle was seized and a C$4,426.40 penalty was issued for the return of the vehicle. Had the importer declared the proper price at the outset, the taxes owing would have been just over $402.
On Dec. 27, a Saskatchewan resident returning to Canada declared two dirt bikes at a value of US$2,000 each.
During the secondary examination officers determined the two bikes were actually purchased for $4,377 and $4,227, along with $402.56 in undeclared accessories including a jacket and various motorcycle parts. The goods were seized and a total penalty of C$2,618.51 was required for release of the goods. In this instance, the taxes owing would have been just over $269 if the proper evaluation had been declared at the start.
Anyone wishing clarification as to what can be brought into Canada or would like information regarding importation processes, please contact the CBSA at their toll-free information line 1-800-461-9999.
