Travellers
Penalties for cannabis-related offences

While cannabis may be legal in Canada, it is a serious criminal offence to bring it across the border. If discovered, it may be confiscated by a CBSA officer. As of , if you don't declare it, you may also face a monetary penalty.

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Declare your cannabis

If you have cannabis or cannabis products with you, no matter the quantity, you must properly declare them to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). Failure to do so could be an expensive mistake.

Avoid penalties of up to $2,000 CAD at the Canadian border. Remember to:

  always declare any cannabis or products containing cannabis (including CBD products made from cannabis or hemp)

  provide information to the officer that is true, accurate and complete such as correct quantity and type of cannabis product

  have with you the proper permits, licences or exemptions

  have all your cannabis or cannabis products easily accessible for examination

Failure to declare your cannabis

If you don't declare your cannabis or cannabis products to the CBSA or you give inaccurate information in your declaration (for example, incorrect quantity, incorrect product) you may be issued a monetary penalty.

A CBSA officer will give you a Notice of Penalty Assessment (penalty notice) that lists the offence and penalty amount. The officer will base the amount of the penalty on:

The CBSA keeps records on previous enforcement actions, including monetary penalties. Your request to become a member of a Trusted Traveller program (such as NEXUS or FAST) may be rejected or your existing membership may be cancelled if the CBSA issues you a penalty.

How to pay your penalty

You can pay your penalty:

Make sure a copy of your penalty notice is included with the payment. The penalty becomes payable on the day the notice of assessment is served to you. If not paid within 30 days after the date of the notice, interest will begin to accrue beginning on the day after the notice was served.

If you request a correction or formal review, you may delay paying the penalty until a decision is made. However, if the decision finds that the penalty was correctly issued, you must pay the penalty. Interest will be calculated from the day after the Notice was served to the day the penalty is paid in full.

How to request a correction or formal review

If you believe that the penalty issued by the CBSA was incorrect, you may contact the issuing CBSA office to request a correction.

Request a correction

This must be done within 90 days of the date your monetary penalty was issued. Errors must be evident to both parties.

You can request a correction to your penalty notice if:

Request a formal review

You have the right to request a formal review of the penalty assessed within 90 calendar days from the date you were served the Notice of Penalty Assessment.

You can request a formal review online. Submit this electronic form to appeal an enforcement action.

Alternatively, your may mail in a written request. Include the number on your penalty notice and any information or additional documentation to support your case. Send your request to:

Recourse Directorate
Canada Border Services Agency
333 North River Rd Tower A 11th Floor
Ottawa  ON K1A 0L8

Contact us

Border Information Services (BIS)

Telephone:

Within Canada and the United States
Toll-free
1-800-461-9999

TTY (for those with hearing or speech impairments)
1-866-335-3237

Outside Canada and the United States
Long distance charges apply
1-204-983-3500
1-506-636-5064

Contact us online: Client support contact form

Border Information Services

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