Outbound border control: Questioning travellers and examining their goods
From: Canada Border Services Agency
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has authority under the Customs Act to question all travellers leaving the country and to examine their goods. Find out how this might affect your journey.
Prohibited, controlled or regulated goods
Historically, the CBSA has always had the power to check outbound travellers for currency exceeding the legal limit of CAD $10,000. Since , officers have also had the authority to question departing travellers and check their goods in an effort to keep drugs, firearms and other controlled or prohibited goods from leaving the country illegally.
It is an offence under the Customs Act to smuggle (that is, take goods out of the country without reporting them) or attempt to smuggle out of the country Prohibited, controlled or regulated goods.
The CBSA may question anyone leaving Canada and to examine any goods they are taking with them. Whether you are leaving the country, by air, marine, land or rail, CBSA officers may question you and examine the goods you have with you.
What to expect if you are questioned
When interacting with a CBSA officer, you must answer questions truthfully.
In keeping with the Agency's mandate to support national security and public safety, CBSA officers may:
- open any package of goods you are travelling with
- take a sample of any goods you are travelling with to test for restricted goods
- move you to a more secure or private area, such as CBSA secondary, for a more complete examination
Note: Examinations may cause travel delays. You should be prepared for these delays when you travel. If you are flying out of Canada, the airline will rebook your flight if you miss it due to an interaction with the CBSA.
Legislative authority to question outbound travellers and examine their goods
Bill C-21, An Act to amend the Customs Act came into force in and allows for authorities that:
- make it an offence to smuggle or attempt to smuggle any goods that are prohibited, controlled or regulated for export under this or any other act of Parliament
- allow CBSA border services officers to question outbound travellers and examine goods to be exported
All travellers leaving Canada, including Canadian citizens, may be questioned and examined by the CBSA.
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