Definitions
Seizures
Part of the CBSA’s work at the border involves keeping potentially harmful items out of the country. Our border officers make dozens of seizures per day at ports of entry across Canada, keeping illegal drugs, contraband tobacco, firearms and other prohibited weapons off of Canadian streets.
Not all items seized by the CBSA are taken from dedicated criminals. Border officers also seize items from travellers who are unaware of Canada’s import requirements for the items they are carrying.
The CBSA’s website lists a number of helpful guides for persons returning to and visiting Canada. These guides will assist travellers in understanding what they can and cannot bring into Canada, resulting in a simpler and smoother experience at the border:
Enforcement
Canada welcomes tens of millions of visitors every year, remaining a preferred international tourism destination. From those millions however, there are persons who do not have the right to come to Canada, be they foreign criminals, non-genuine visitors or travellers without the proper paperwork.
The CBSA’s border officers work diligently every day to ensure that these people are either stopped at our borders and denied entry, or removed from Canada. The CBSA also works with partners internationally to stop people who are not permitted entry to Canada from ever arriving at our shores.
Facilitation
Facilitation actions taken by our officers every day at ports of entry directly fulfill the CBSA’s mandate. Thousands of travellers and their vehicles who arrive at our borders are greeted by our officers and cleared for entry into Canada. Additionally, thousands of commercial shipments are cleared every day, ensuring Canada’s economy runs on track.
Our border officers also issue work permits, process refugee claims and issue temporary residence permits to help travellers overcome minor inadmissibility and enter Canada. Perhaps the best part of a border officer’s job is the landing of new permanent residents to Canada, granting new opportunities to those who followed the law and immigrated legitimately.
