Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): Two travellers arriving at Ottawa International Airport are facing hefty penalties after failing to declare a large amount of cash and expensive jewellery while entering Canada. According to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), officers discovered more than US$33,000 in currency and approximately C$57,000 worth of jewellery that had not been reported to border officials as required under Canadian law.
Following the inspection, CBSA officers seized the undeclared goods and issued penalties exceeding C$17,000 for attempting to evade the payment of applicable duties and taxes. The agency said that declaring goods and monetary instruments is a legal obligation for all travellers entering the country and is essential to maintaining the integrity of Canada’s border controls.
The incident serves as an important reminder for Canadians returning home from international travel. Travellers must declare all goods purchased or acquired abroad, including jewellery, luxury items, gifts, commercial merchandise, alcohol, tobacco products, and any food, plant, or animal products they are bringing into the country. Even if some items fall within personal exemption limits, they must still be disclosed to border officials upon arrival.
Canadian law also requires anyone carrying currency or monetary instruments valued at C$10,000 or more, including foreign currency, bank drafts, money orders, and travellers’ cheques, to report the amount to the CBSA. Declaring these funds does not automatically result in taxes or penalties, but failing to report them can lead to seizure of the money, substantial fines, and further enforcement action.
CBSA officials emphasized that honesty at the border can help travellers avoid costly mistakes. Many travellers qualify for duty- and tax-free exemptions depending on the length of time they have been outside Canada, but these exemptions can only be applied when goods are properly declared.
The agency is urging all travellers to familiarize themselves with Canada’s border declaration requirements before returning home. The message from border officials is clear: if you are unsure whether an item needs to be declared, declare it. A simple declaration can prevent significant financial penalties, delays, and the loss of valuable property.
