The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is pleased to share a sample of December 2013 highlights from its border crossings in Manitoba. This sampling underscores the CBSA’s commitment to keeping communities safe and ensuring Canada’s laws are followed.
In December, the CBSA processed nearly 130,000 travellers and 57,000 cars through its 16 ports in southern Manitoba.
At Emerson West Lynne, the province’s busiest port of entry, CBSA officers processed 68,700 travellers, 21,600 cars and 13,700 commercial trucks in December.
CBSA officers also refused entry to 61 people, issued 63 work permits, eight study permits, and granted permanent resident status to 180 people. There were also 23 seizure actions that resulted in $15,600 in penalties for travellers who either undervalued or did not declare their goods.
Here are some additional highlights demonstrating how CBSA officers in Manitoba are working to protect the safety and security of Canadians.
Emerson West Lynne
On December 1, a Louisiana man was travelling to Winnipeg and told officers he would then return home. Officers examined his belongings and determined that he was actually living in Canada without status and working illegally. Further background checks indicated that he had been counselled multiple times on how to apply for permanent residence status. He was refused entry to Canada as officers had sufficient information to believe that he would not leave and would continue to work illegally if allowed entry.
On December 13, a commercial truck was referred for secondary examination. Among the declared goods inside the truck were also six undeclared airsoft guns, which are prohibited to import into Canada. The guns were seized with no terms of release. Background checks on the driver revealed an outstanding charge for domestic battery. He was refused entry to Canada and returned to the United States.
That same day, officers were examining courier shipments and verified a parcel declared as shoes and chocolates. Inside the parcel, officers found more than $12,000 in undeclared jewelry. The goods were seized, and the importer paid more than $8,600 for their return. Had the goods been properly declared, the importer would only have paid $600 in goods and services tax (GST).
On December 19, a returning resident declared four tires valued at $100. After the individual paid the appropriate duties and taxes, officers investigated the purchase price of the tires. Officers determined that he had in fact paid $600. The vehicle was seized and returned once the individual paid a $300 fine. Had he made an honest declaration, he would have paid approximately $30 in GST.
On December 21, a man and woman from Manitoba declared one box of goods belonging to other people. However, CBSA officers inspected the vehicle and uncovered a large quantity of undeclared purchases such as electronics, cosmetics, and clothing, many of which contained invoices for other people. In total, the two failed to declare approximately $2,350 in goods. They were issued a penalty of more than $600. Had they been truthful, they would have paid approximately $125 in GST.
On December 29, a Manitoba man declared a bottle of spirits and US$400 in purchases, including US$200 for a puppy. However, officers confirmed the breeder had sold the puppy for US$1,300. When confronted, the traveller produced the real receipt and apologized to officers. He was issued a penalty of more than $650, but had he been truthful, would have paid approximately $65 in GST for the puppy.
On December 31, CBSA officers examined courier shipments and X-rayed a package destined to Alberta from Texas and uncovered an airsoft rifle that is classified as a non-restricted firearm. As the parcel had not been accurately declared, officers seized the gun and issued the shipper a penalty of approximately $30.
Boissevain
On December 12, three cross-border shoppers were penalized for failing to declare their goods. In the first case, one person declared more than $600 in miscellaneous items, but officers noted there was an additional $1,000 in undeclared sporting goods. The items were seized and returned after he paid a $920 penalty, while he would have paid only $50 in GST had been truthful. In the second case, a couple declared $350 in purchases and paid duties and taxes on their declaration. When officers conducted a routine search of their vehicle, they noted that the items the travellers declared were not in the vehicle, but found more than $3,600 worth of clothing and other goods that were not declared. Officers refunded the duties and taxes that were originally paid on the $350 and seized $3,600 of undeclared clothing and goods. The goods were returned after the travellers paid a $1,300 penalty for not declaring the goods properly. They would have paid a total of $200 in GST if they had made a truthful declaration.
On December 13, a returning Canadian had purchased a dog from a breeder in the United States and declared its value at $1,000. Officers verified the price of the dog and determined the owner had actually paid $3,000. The dog was seized and returned after the traveller paid a penalty of $1,170. If he had been truthful, the man would have paid $150 in GST.
Cartwright
On December 30, a Manitoba man presented one receipt for three packages. However, CBSA officers uncovered further receipts in two of the packages. In total, the man had failed to declare almost US$500 in health supplements. He was issued a penalty of more than $125. Had he been truthful, he would have paid approximately $25 in GST on the undeclared products.
Winkler
On December 14, a United States resident was coming to Canada. CBSA officers completed a secondary examination and noticed a vehicle part in the box of the truck. The driver stated that the part was for a friend in the United States and would not be left in Canada. After further questioning, officers determined the man was actually planning on leaving it in Canada with a friend. The man’s vehicle and the item were seized. They were returned once the man paid a $440 penalty. Had he made a proper declaration, he would have paid $140 in taxes.
Coulter
On December 20, two Canadian residents were returning from the United States and declared multiple snowmobiles. While verifying the price of the sleds, officers found undeclared truck rims in the box of the travellers’ truck. The $950 rims were seized and returned once the travellers paid a $230 penalty. If they had been truthful, they would have paid approximately $50 in GST.
Crystal City
On December 21, a Manitoba man was returning from picking up parcels in North Dakota. He declared US$875 in goods and provided a receipt on his phone. However, officers conducted a secondary examination and found another invoice for approximately US$3,500 in undeclared goods. The man was issued a penalty of more than $1,100 and continued into Canada. Had he been truthful, he would have paid approximately $175 in GST.
Tolstoi
On December 23, a Minnesota man declared one handgun and a few rounds of ammunition in his vehicle. However, CBSA officers seized more than 800 rounds of ammunition and an additional undeclared, loaded .22-calibre semi-automatic handgun they found beneath a pile of clothing in the backseat. They arrested the man and released him on a promise to appear. The man said he had forgotten to remove the weapon from his vehicle, and was issued a penalty of $1,000. The man is expected to appear in court on May 12, 2014.
Piney
On December 20, a Manitoba resident was returning home when officers suspected that he may have been drinking. When officers performed a breathalyser with an approved screening device test, the man blew over the legal limit. He was turned over to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
