Border Basics I declare By Roger Monk A
ll travellers on flights returning to Canada are given a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Declaration Card (E311 Customs Declaration Card) to fill out. Passengers are required to fill
out the cards accurately whether visiting Canada or arriving home. Declaration forms give border services officers necessary
information about all individuals entering Canada – who you are, where you’ve been, and what you are bringing into the country. French and English instructions are included to assist you with completing the form. Up to four people living in the same household can be included on one card. Once you’ve completed the form, discard the instructions and place the card with your passport and any other travel documents you may need to present to the officer. Do not fold the card. If there are questions on the form that you don’t under- stand, or you’re unsure about something, ask the officer. Tey are there to assist you when you arrive. Smooth border clearance for all travellers is dependent on a truthful and accurate declaration. If you’re a returning Canadian, you need to be aware of
personal exemption limits and of all goods, especially food, drug, plant and animal products in your possession. You may be asked to provide some details about your visit abroad, and/or receipts for expenses and purchases made while you were away. If you are a visitor, you may be asked to provide detailed
information about your plans while in Canada; and provide evidence that you have enough funds to support yourself throughout your stay. Visitors to Canada also need to be aware of the requirements for entering Canada and what goods are and are not allowed into the country. Tere are reasons why various goods are not allowed.
Seeds and plant materials can carry insects not native to our climate and could pose serious problems to our ecosystem if introduced. Being referred for a secondary examination
You may be referred for a secondary examination at any point during your interaction with an officer during pri- mary inspection. Tese referrals are not an indication of wrong-doing but a normal part of the cross-border travel process which any resident or visitor may experience. More information may be required to confirm your right to enter: your documentation/declaration may need to be verified; you may have been randomly selected; you may need to complete paperwork to support your entry or the entry of goods you have declared. You may have reported carrying over $10,000 on your person; your admissibility or that of your goods may need to be verified (various food items or past criminal charges may have caused you to be
86 • Summer 2015 The Hub
Tip − Accurately record purchases. Bring an envelope and sheet of paper to tally your purchases while on vacation. Keep it in your hotel safe. Record your purchases (amount and brief description) and keep your receipts together in the envelope. At the end of your trip you’ll have a handy list with your purchases all ready to go. Recording for more than one traveller? Make a column for everyone to record their purchases. This is a great way to accurately record all your purchases, and all of your receipts will be in one place.
flagged); or officers may want you to answer more in-depth questions. You and your personal belongings may be in- spected, and duty and tax payments will be processed. In order to protect the safety and security of Canada, the CBSA must ensure the admissibility of all goods entering the country. Tese goods may be subject to a more in-depth exam to determine admissibility. It is very important to make a full and truthful declaration so officers can focus their efforts on individuals and goods presenting higher or unknown risk. Officers are authorized to administer over 90 acts of Par- liament, regulations and international agreements including the Customs Act, food, plant and animal regulations and to conduct secondary examinations at Canadian ports of en- try. It can seem intrusive, but secondary examinations are conducted to ensure the compliance of all travellers and the safety of all Canadians. If you have a comment, complaint or compliment you
can contact the Canadian Border Services Agency on their website at
cbsa.gc.ca or write to them at: Canada Border Services Agency Recourse Directorate Ottawa, Ont., K1A 0L8
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