CBSA cash checking
 

Odd experience recently leaving YYC for LHR - after the final boarding check and on the way to the aircraft, a couple of CBSA officers were stopping all passengers.

"Just a routine check to see how much Canadian currency you're carrying out of the country today?"

"Umm, a couple of hundred dollars I guess?"

"Okay, thank you. Have a nice flight."

They weren't writing anything down, just questioning everyone. Was this a cover for something else, or do CBSA really ask people how much cash they're carrying and then just believe the answers and not take records?

Wow. New one for me.

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Presumably they were looking for something specific. Besides aren't the only currency controls on what you bring into the country? Odd.

Between that and Transport Canada checking carryon in another thread our gov does some strange things.

I read "cash checking" as "check cashing" and expected some even stranger story :p

A friend was carrying $10k US in such a situation. Had it seized and was flagged for 5 years. Eventually got the $ back.

From http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/security-...te/cbcr-dmte/:

We regularly bring over 10K USD into Canada, each time we declare it.

It's never an issue.

The last time, the CBSA officer said, "thank you for reporting....most do not report" The officer mentioned that many think it is a tax issue, it is not.

Actually I have seen that happen at least 10 years ago in the jetbridge on an AC YYZ-FRA flight. So long ago it was out of YYZ T1. They were using the dogs that can smell currency as well on everybody. I have to admit I had never seen that before.

I had this happen TATL out of YYZ but have not heard of it TPAC.

I know some humans who can smell currency as well. ;)

I would think that when it comes to bringing cash INTO Canada it's certainly not a tax issue, but taking cash OUT of Canada, one has to wonder. If I want to hide money from the tax man you'd think taking a rollaboard full of cash to a bank in the Caymans would be a good start.

That being said, it's my understanding this sort of thing is caught at the x-ray machine. If CATSA sees a bag full of cash at an international departures checkpoint, I think they usually summon an LEO to ask a few questions.