The Canada Border Services Agency is pleased to share a sample of August 2013 highlights from its border crossings, underscoring the CBSA’s commitment to keeping communities safe and ensuring our laws are respected.
August is always a very busy month for the Canada Border Services Agency. This year, border services officers processed approximately 254,000 travellers in Southern Manitoba in 81,000 cars and 16,000 commercial trucks. More than 143,000 travellers came through Emerson, Manitoba’s largest port of entry. In addition, officers issued permanent residency status to 199 individuals, as well as 113 work permits and 56 study permits. Officers also denied entry to 131 foreign nationals for various reasons, including criminality.
Here are some border highlights for the month of August:
On August 5, two female Wisconsin residents arrived at the port of Emerson. The first woman had six convictions for obstruction of an officer, four for disorderly conduct, as well as convictions for carrying a concealed weapon, domestic abuse with bodily harm, escort without a licence as well as numerous probation violations. The second female had numerous battery charges and drug related charges as well as multiple probation violations. Both were refused entry and returned to the United States.
That same day, an importer at Emerson border crossing undervalued a boat by $1000. The boat was seized and returned to the traveller after a $580 penalty was paid. Had he been truthful in his declaration, he would have only paid $155 in GST
On August 6, 2013, a US resident was seeking entry to Canada to receive a work permit. Background checks revealed an outstanding charge for selling a controlled substance. He was refused entry and counseled to bring supporting documentation to support his claim that his charge was dismissed.
On August 10, a Manitoba man arrived at Emerson and declared a vehicle valued at $5,000. Officers were suspicious of the low value and conducted further examinations. It was determined that the vehicle had been purchased for $15,000. The vehicle was seized, and returned once a $5,700 penalty was paid. Had the man been truthful, he would have only paid $750 in GST.
That same day, four California residents arrived at the port of Boissevain. They were seeking entry to Canada to film a movie. None of the individuals had the appropriate documentation to legally work in Canada. They were refused entry into Canada. Later that day, the same individuals arrived at the port of Goodlands and attempted to enter Canada. They were refused entry again and officers advised them not to attempt entry at other ports until they were able to secure proper documentation to legally work in Canada.
On August 12, officers at the port of Winkler determined that a traveller had what appeared to be brand new tires on his vehicle that had not been declared. During secondary examination, the officer found evidence to confirm this. The vehicle was seized, and the traveller was issued a $265 penalty for not declaring all the tires.
Later that day at the port of Lena, officers conducted a secondary examination on a vehicle when they noticed an undeclared shoe box, valued at $625. The traveller was issued a $193 penalty for not declaring the shoes. All goods entering Canada must be declared to Border Services Officers.
On August 14, female Texas resident arrived at the port of Emerson, driving a commercial vehicle. When officers discovered she had two previous assault convictions and two DUIs, she was refused entry into Canada and returned to the United States.
On August 17, A Manitoba resident arrived at the port of Emerson and declared a vehicle correctly, but did not declare $4,500 in repairs that had been done to the vehicle. The vehicle was seized and returned after the individual paid a fine of $2560. The individual undervalued the vehicle in an attempt to save $225 in GST. When importing a vehicle, the importer must declare the full value of the vehicle, including any repairs or upgrades.
On August 18, officers at Emerson referred a Florida woman for further examination to verify her declaration. During the examination, officers found an undeclared prohibited handgun. Officers seized the firearm, arrested the woman and turned her over to the CBSA Criminal Investigations unit. Rita Jean Shepard, 63, is currently facing Customs Act charges. Her next court appearance is scheduled for October 28 in Winnipeg Provincial Court.
On August 26, a Manitoba couple undervalued a camper by $1000. Officers seized the camper and returned it after a penalty of $580 was paid. The couple would have paid $125 in GST had they been truthful in their declaration.
Reminder to travellers:
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) reminds travellers to continue to use the Emerson border crossing as is it best equipped to handle large volumes of traffic.You can stay updated on wait times at major ports including Emerson by visiting www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/bwt-taf/menu-eng.html or by subscribing to Border Wait Times on Twitter.
When returning to Canada, have all of your receipts ready and be prepared to make an accurate declaration. The single best thing you can do to save time returning to Canada is to simply be open and honest with the CBSA officer. If you are not sure about what to declare, don’t hesitate to ask. The officers are there to help you.
