FORT FRANCES – Crimebeat – The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) facilitates the entry of legitimate travellers and goods, while protecting the safety and security of Canadians and ensuring that Canada’s border is not used for illegal activity. This work is carried out by CBSA border services officers (BSO) who ensure that the people, goods and conveyances entering Canada meet all requirements and are compliant with Canadian law.
In October, CBSA officers at the Fort Frances port of entry (POE) processed more than 53,000 travellers in 33,800 vehicles, and 744 commercial trucks. Twenty-two charter buses and 941 pedestrians were processed during the month. The CBSA also conducted over 1,800 secondary examinations for customs purposes.
IMMIGRATION: Officers at the Fort Frances POE conducted more than 2,800 immigration interviews resulting in the issuance of 12 work permits, 16 visitor records and 29 Remote Area Border Crossing (RABC) permits. Forty-eight people were found to have various admissibility issues, of which 26 were refused entry to Canada. The other 22 individuals were allowed entry on a temporary visitor permit.
There were four cases of serious criminality which included convictions for aggravated assault, break and enter, and assault with the intent to cause bodily harm. These travellers were denied entry into Canada.
CUSTOMS: In October, CBSA officers conducted over 1,800 secondary examinations for customs purposes, initiated nine seizure actions and issued an additional 12 written warnings for non-declared or undervalued goods.
On October 2, a returning Canadian resident was found to be the subject of an arrest warrant for breach of an undertaking. The individual was arrested at the POE and turned over to Treaty Three Police. On October 7, a returning Canadian resident arrived at the Fort Frances POE and declared an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) with a value of US$4,000. However, BSOs were able to retrieve the original online ad for this particular ATV, which showed an asking price of US$7,650. The importer later admitted that the purchase price was actually US$7,500, and that he had lied to try and save some money on import taxes. The ATV was seized for undervaluation and returned to the importer upon payment of a $2,216.38 penalty. Had the full value been properly declared, the taxes payable would have been $171.
On October 12, the Fort Frances POE received a telephone call to advise officers that a returning Canadian resident was suspected of drinking and driving. When the vehicle arrived at the POE, BSOs administered a roadside breath test. The individual blew a “warn”. He left his vehicle at the POE and went home on foot.
Travel Tips: The CBSA reminds travellers to plan their border crossing to avoid delays for the upcoming U.S. Thanksgiving/Black Friday weekend.
Prior to arrival at the POE, determine the total amount of purchases for each occupant of the vehicle converted to Canadian funds and have all your receipts for purchases (and accommodation) in hand to present to the BSO when asked to assist with processing. Declare all your purchases regardless if exemptions may apply, as there may be enforcement actions taken for undervaluing or not declaring purchases. You may be required to pay applicable duties and taxes on purchases over your personal exemptions or where no personal exemptions apply.