CBSA cash checking
Jul 2, 2013 | 5:04 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 96
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?
"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?
Jul 2, 2013 | 5:09 pm
#3
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Canada
Programs: AC*SE
Posts: 2,515
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (BB10; Kbd) AppleWebKit/537.10+ (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/10.1.0.1483 Mobile Safari/537.10+)
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.
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.
Jul 2, 2013 | 5:34 pm
#6
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 137
From http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/security-...te/cbcr-dmte/:
Under the new legislation, there are no restrictions on the amount of money that you can bring into or take out of Canada, nor is it illegal to do so. However, you now have to report to a customs officer amounts equal to or greater than CAN$10,000 that you are bringing into or taking out of Canada.
Jul 2, 2013 | 7:53 pm
#7
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: KIX, ITM, UKB, YVR
Programs: Star Alliance - AC
Posts: 2,356
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.
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.
Jul 2, 2013 | 9:46 pm
#8
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYZ
Programs: LH SEN/BA Silver (headed to Blue)/Marriott Gold/HH Diamond/IC Plat Amba
Posts: 6,568
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.
Jul 3, 2013 | 8:00 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Earth. Residency:HKG formerly:YYZ
Programs: CX, DL, Nexus/GE, APEC
Posts: 11,080
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. 
Jul 3, 2013 | 9:53 am
#10
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Programs: United MileagePlus Silver, Nexus, Global Entry
Posts: 8,810
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.