Busy month at FF customs

News Release
CBSA

Fort Frances, Ontario – January 25, 2011 – Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers at the Fort Francis Port of Entry (POE) play a key role in enhancing the safety and protection of Canadians. Over the course of December 2010, CBSA officers in Fort Frances processed over 42,000 travellers in over 31,000 vehicles, 725 commercial drivers, conducted 272 immigration interviews and performed over 1,200 secondary exams.
Immigration
During the month of December, CBSA officers at the Fort Frances Port of Entry conducted 272 immigration interviews. Of these, six work permits were issued, 39 Remote Area Border Crossing (RABC) permits were issued, three individuals were refused entry for criminality and one individual was allowed to enter on a temporary visitor permit.
Highlights:
On December 10, 2010, a U.S. resident was refused entry due to a variety of criminal convictions, including three Driving under the Influence (DUI) charges and theft.
On December 15, 2010, a U.S. resident, seeking entry into Canada was referred for further questioning. Subsequent background checks revealed that this traveller had one conviction of forgery and was refused entry. This individual had previously been allowed to leave Canada at the Rainy River POE.
On December 16, 2010, a U.S resident was referred by CBSA officers for a secondary examination. Further background checks revealed that this traveller had domestic assault convictions in Minnesota. This traveler was allowed to leave.
Customs
During the month of December, CBSA officers conducted over 1,200 secondary examinations for customs purposes and initiated 18 seizure actions for undeclared or prohibited goods.
Highlights:
On December 2, 2010, a returning Canadian resident was referred for a secondary examination. During the examination, it was determined that repairs had been made to the vehicle while it was in the United States. The individual then produced a receipt for $1,072 of work done on the vehicle. The vehicle was seized for non-report of dutiable repairs. The vehicle was returned to the traveller on payment of a $268.04 penalty. It should be noted that with a proper declaration the traveller would have only been required to pay $137 in Harmonized Sales Taxes (HST).
On December 17, 2010, a returning Canadian resident was referred for further examination, however the individual left the Customs property before reporting to the secondary area. It was determined that during that time the individual dropped approximately $1,089 worth of undeclared goods in a nearby parking lot. The undeclared goods were seized for non-report and held as evidence. The goods are subject to terms of release in the amount of $436. Had the goods been declared, the traveler would have only paid $141.70 in HST. The vehicle was also seized for running the port and released to the traveller on payment of a $1,000 penalty.
On December 18, 2010, a non-resident was referred for a secondary examination. A search of the vehicle revealed a loaded .45 calibre handgun in the glove box. The individual was arrested for smuggling a prohibited firearm into Canada. The firearm was seized with no terms of release, and the vehicle was returned to the traveller after payment of a $1,000 penalty.
Travel Tips:
The CBSA reminds all travellers to truthfully declare all purchases when returning to Canada and to be mindful of the following: after an absence of 24 hours, you may bring back $50 worth of goods duty- and tax-free; after 48 hours, your personal exemption is $400; and after an absence of seven days, you are entitled to $750 duty and tax-free goods. There are no personal exemptions for same-day purchases.
Please refer to the I Declare brochure on the CBSA website for more information.