The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is pleased to share a sample of November 2013 highlights from its southern Manitoba border crossings. This sampling underscores the CBSA’s commitment to keeping communities safe and ensuring our laws are respected.
At Emerson, the largest border crossing in Manitoba, there were 82,000 travellers in 26,100 vehicles and 16,000 commercial trucks. CBSA officers issued 64 work permits, and granted permanent residency status to 222 people. They also denied entry to 52 foreign nationals for various reasons, including criminality.
In total, officers across Southern Manitoba processed 143,500 travellers in more than 73500 vehicles.
Emerson
A man was importing a vehicle purchased in the United States on November 2, and declared its value at $5000. Further investigation by CBSA officers revealed that he had in fact paid $6,600. Officers seized the vehicle and returned it after a $1062 penalty was paid for its release. Had the man been truthful, he would have only paid $330 in GST.
On November 3, CBSA officers were conducting a secondary examination on a vehicle and found 13 bottles of beers. The driver of the vehicle was under court ordered conditions to abstain from consuming or possessing alcohol. The individual was turned over to RCMP.
On November 5, a 44 year-old Arkansas resident was coming to Canada to deliver a commercial load. Officers ran background checks, which revealed a previous conviction for burglary. The man was refused entry into Canada and returned to the United States.
On November 9, two individuals were coming to Canada to hunt. When officers performed a secondary examination on their vehicle, they found seven trail cameras they were planning to leave in Canada. The cameras and their vehicle were seized and returned once a $420 penalty was paid. Had they made a proper declaration, they would have paid $91 in taxes.
That same day, officers referred a vehicle for secondary and found 41 tins of undeclared chewing tobacco. Officers seized the tobacco and the vehicle, and returned the vehicle once a $160 penalty was paid. The tobacco was not returned. Undeclared alcohol and tobacco products are seized by CBSA officers with no terms of release.
On November 11, a couple was importing a boat they had purchased in the United States, declared at $18,000. Upon further inspection, it was determined they had actually paid $23,500. Officers seized the boat and returned it after the couple paid $4000. Had they made an proper declaration, they would have only paid $1175 in taxes.
On November 16, a man was importing a puppy he declared at $500. Upon further investigation, officers determined he had actually paid $1500. The man paid a $575 penalty for the return of the dog.
On November 17, CBSA officers did a database check on a returning Canadian resident. The check revealed the driver of the vehicle had a Canada-wide driving prohibition. The individual was turned over to RCMP custody.
That same day, a 29- year-old US resident was coming to Canada to hunt. Background checks revealed outstanding charges for a recent assault, as well as a conviction for assault a few years earlier. He was refused entry and returned to the United States.
On November 20, a family of four was returning to Canada after visiting the United States. During a background check, officers noticed the driver had a history of making false declarations at the border. A secondary examination revealed almost $3000 in jewelry had not been declared. The jewelry was seized and returned after a $1600 penalty had been paid. Had the individuals made a proper declaration, they would have only paid $600 in duties and taxes.
The following day, a man was importing a snowmobile declared at $3000. The individual stated he had received a deal because it was damaged. Officers inspected the sled and noticed no damage. They investigated the declared value and determined that the individual had in fact paid $6000. The snowmobile was seized and returned once a $1600 penalty was paid. Had the individual made a proper declaration, he would have only paid $300 in GST.
On November 25, a 24-year-old Iowa resident was travelling to visit Winnipeg for the weekend. Background checks by the officers revealed he had multiple DUI convictions. He was refused entry and returned to the United States.
Child Pornography Conviction
On November 27 in Winnipeg Provincial Court, Denys Basov, 36, was sentenced to 2.5 years in jail after he pleaded guilty to smuggling child pornography. Mr. Basov attempted to enter Canada at the Emerson border crossing on May 7, 2013, hauling freight from the United States. CBSA officers referred Mr. Basov for a secondary examination to verify his declaration. During the examination, they discovered suspected child pornography on a laptop computer.
The sentence is believed to be one of the most significant sentences handed down for importing child pornography under the Customs Act.
Tolstoi
On November 3, two passengers were importing a vehicle part which the driver declared at $3400. A subsequent investigation revealed the driver had in fact paid $6800. The item was seized and returned once a $2230 had been paid. Had the driver made a proper declaration, they would have only paid $883 in taxes.
On November 11, a couple returning to Canada declared snowmobile parts at $450. Once taxes were paid on the parts, officers examined the vehicle to verify the declaration. Officers noticed multiple parts had not been declared. In total, more than $3500 in additional snowmobile parts had not been declared. The parts and vehicle were seized and returned once a $3750 penalty had been paid. Had the driver made a full declaration, he would have only paid $455 in taxes.
On November 15, a US resident coming to Canada with a trailer, claimed he was having repairs done by a friend in Canada, and would then return it to the US. Upon further inspection, officers determined the driver was in fact importing the vehicle to remain in Canada and was attempting to avoid duties. The trailer was seized and returned once a $760 penalty was paid.
On November 19, a man was importing a wood stove declared at $700. Officers investigated his claim, and determined he had actually paid $2500 for the item. Officers seized the stove and returned it once a $1000 penalty was paid. Had he properly declared the stove, he would have only paid $325 in taxes.
Coulter
On November 14, a couple was returning to Canada and declared $300 in personal goods. When the officer inquired about the trailer they were towing, they advised that it had just been purchased in the US, but they didn’t think they had to declare it. In total, the couple failed to declare a $9,000 trailer as well as $16,000 in agriculture related goods that were inside the trailer. The items were seized and a $6800 penalty was paid for their return. Had they made a proper declaration, they would have only paid $1250 in taxes.
Boissevain
On November 29, an individual was importing a snowmobile declared at $800. Officers investigated the man’s claim and determined he had actually paid $1500. The machine was seized and returned once a $400 penalty was paid. Had the man made an accurate declaration, he would have only paid $75 in GST.
Goodlands
On November 30, a man was returning from a day of shopping in the US and declared $40 in miscellaneous goods. Officers referred him to secondary examination where they discovered almost $400 in undeclared clothing. The items were seized and returned once a $115 penalty had been paid.
Christmas Border Tips
Cross-border shoppers are reminded that they can only bring one turkey from the United States per person duty free and without additional import requirements. Additional turkeys are subject to very high duties that will more than double the cost of the turkey.
If you are bringing back gifts, please do not wrap them. Officers may need to unwrap them to verify their admissibility.
When shipping gifts to Canada, please remember that alcohol and tobacco do not count as gifts and duties and taxes do apply.
