Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) (2024)

FAQs

What does CBSA do in Canada? ›

The Canada Border Services Agency ( CBSA ) facilitates the flow of legitimate travellers and trade. The agency also enforces more than 100 acts and regulations that keep our country and Canadians safe.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Upon arrival at a Canadian port of entry, travellers must satisfy a CBSA border services officer (BSO) that they meet the requirements for entry into Canada.

How much does Canada Border Services Agency in Canada pay? The average Canada Border Services Agency salary ranges from approximately $49,812 per year for Administrative Assistant to $88,317 per year for Animal Control Officer.

The CBSA collects personal information to fulfill its legal obligations related to border security, immigration, customs and public safety.

Entry into Canada: Canadian law requires that all persons entering Canada carry proof of citizenship and identity. A valid U.S. passport, passport card, or NEXUS card satisfies these requirements for U.S. citizens. Children under 16 only need proof of U.S. citizenship.

When you enter Canada, a Canada Border Services Agency officer may ask to see your passport and a valid visa, if one is necessary. If you are a citizen of the United States over the age of 16, you will need a Passport, a Passport Card or Enhanced Driver's Licence (only issued by certain states) to enter Canada.

bringing into Canada.

Under Canadian law, you have to declare all animals, plants, and their products. You also have to declare all currency and monetary instruments (e.g., stocks/bonds, cheques, travellerss cheques, money orders, bank drafts, treasury bills) totalling CAN$10,000 or more.

As with travel into Canada, the U.S. requires Canadians to show a passport or NEXUS card to enter the country. If you are traveling to a port of entry by car, U.S. Customs and Border Protection may also request to see your vehicle registration or other documentation.

Most visitors can stay for up to 6 months in Canada. If you're allowed to enter Canada, the border services officer may allow you to stay for less or more than 6 months. If so, they'll put the date you need to leave by in your passport.

Do they check everyone at the Canadian border? ›

Whether you're looking to enter Canada for work or leisure, you'll go through a background check at the border. Moreover, if you have a criminal record, you may encounter criminal inadmissibility and be denied entry to Canada. This guide aims to answer questions about Canadian border background checks.

Restricted/prohibited goods

Firearms and weapons: You must declare all weapons and firearms at the CBSA port of entry when you enter Canada. Food, plants, animals and related products: All food, plants, animals, and related products must be declared. Food can carry disease, such as E. coli.

If you have a broker, the broker can send the payment to the CBSA on your behalf. If you do not have a broker, you can make payments by online banking by using the Electronic data interchange payment file ( EDI 820).

Whether you are leaving or entering Canada, you must declare any currency (cash) or monetary instruments valued at CAD $10,000 or more that you are carrying. This amount includes Canadian or foreign currency or a combination of both.

You can claim goods worth up to CAN$800. You must have tobacco products and alcoholic beverages in your possession when you enter Canada, but other goods may follow you by other means (such as courier or by post). However, all of the goods you are bringing back must be reported to the CBSA when you arrive.

Apply applicable legislation, policies, and procedure when screening and/or inspecting people and goods. Inspect baggage to detect undeclared merchandise, or contraband. Inform manufacturers and shippers of customs and laws and procedures. Observe fabrication of articles affected by customs laws and conduct appraisals.

Provisional duty is applied when the President of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) makes a preliminary determination of dumping and/or subsidizing any goods imported into Canada. Provisional duty is applied only during the provisional period until a final determination is made.

Every traveller entering Canada must report to a border services officer and answer all their questions truthfully. Travellers must also report goods they are bringing with them, including food, plant and animal products. To ensure a smooth border crossing, have all required identification and travel documents in hand.