Dude pays $606 for video game controller. Customs seizes it

NEWS RELEASE

CANADA BORDER SERVICES AGENCY

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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 (BSOs) who ensure that the people, goods and conveyances entering Canada meet all requirements and are compliant with Canadian law.

In April 2014, CBSA officers at the Sault Ste. Marie port of entry (POE) processed 99,490 travellers, in 67,684 vehicles, which represents a nine percent decrease in travellers and a six percent decrease in vehicles from April 2013.

There were more than 245 international travellers arriving by bus.

Immigration highlights

In April, officers at the Sault Ste. Marie POE conducted more than 331 immigration interviews resulting in 12 Visitor Records, 19 Work Permits, and in 12 cases, individuals decided to voluntarily withdraw their applications to enter Canada.

On April 14, a U.S. resident arrived at the POE seeking entry into Canada.

During the immigration interview, the individual admitted that he had a criminal record, including burglary, theft under $5,000 and theft of property.

He was deemed inadmissible to Canada due to his criminality and was given the option of voluntarily withdrawing his application to enter Canada.

He returned to the United States. 

On April 24, a U.S. resident arrived at the POE wanting to apply for an extension of his study permit that expired in 2012.

The individual did not have any of the required documentation proving that he was accepted to a school in Canada.

Officers informed the individual of the information needed to apply for a study permit and explained that he could apply at a later date. 

He was deemed inadmissible to Canada and was allowed to withdraw his application to enter Canada.

Certain foreign nationals who do not meet the requirements to overcome their criminal inadmissibility may be allowed to enter Canada with a one-time only fee-exempt temporary resident permit.

For more information, please visit the Citizenship and Immigration Canada Web site here

Customs highlights

In April, CBSA officers conducted approximately 2,526 secondary examinations for customs purposes or on behalf of other government departments, initiated three seizure actions, two arrests and issued additional written warnings for undeclared or undervalued goods.

On April 25, a returning Canadian resident was referred for a secondary examination.

During the exam, the officers discovered a video game controller that had not been declared.

The value of the controller was $606.

The controller was seized for non-report and was released upon payment of $151.64. 

Had the traveller properly declared the controller, he would have paid approximately $79 in taxes.

On April 27, a returning Canadian resident was referred for a secondary examination.

The individual declared $130 worth of groceries.

During the exam, $103 worth of undeclared clothing and a duffel bag were discovered.

In addition, a bottle of alcohol was found.

The vehicle was seized for non-report of the miscellaneous items, and the alcohol was confiscated.

Upon payment of a penalty of $154.32, the vehicle, clothing and duffel bag were released back to the traveller.

Had the traveller properly declared the items, he would have paid approximately $47 in taxes.

The CBSA reminds travellers to truthfully declare all purchases and goods received outside of Canada upon their return. Smuggling, undervaluation and other Customs Act offences may lead to seizure and/or prosecution in a court of law.

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