Head Office
Canada Border Services Agency
191 Laurier Avenue West, 9th Floor
Ottawa, ON K1A 0L8, Canada
Customer Service
Phone: 1-800-461-9999
Phone: 1-204-983-3500
Email: contact@cbsa.gc.ca (general)
Email: questions@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca (feedback)
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About Canada Border Services Agency
Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) was established in the year 2003. The federal agency was created to secure Canada’s borders and enforce the many laws on customs and immigration. CBSA employs more than 14,000 across the country. The government agency, governed by the Public Safety Canada, covers seven regions that comprises pf Atlantic Region, Greater Toronto Area Region, Northern Ontario Region, Pacific Region, Prairie Region, Quebec Region and Southern Ontario Region. The agency’s motto states “Protection, Service, Integrity”.
CBSA’s staff are found across 1,200 points in Canada and close to 40 international locations. They together manage 117 land-border crossings, marine operations at major ports, investigate and apprehend violators of the Immigration & Refugee Protection Act, investigate criminals and national security cases, examine international mail and administer more than 90 acts. If any found to pose a threat to Canada they can be detained and even removed. The agency also checks illegal goods entering or leaving the country and collects applicable duties and taxes on imported goods.
There are a number of resources available on the website to aid travellers and those engaged in trade, import or export. Visitors arriving in Canada by air must write and submit the CBSA Declaration Card. If travelling by car, get information on current border wait times to plan your trip across the border. Travellers must declare goods upon arrival in Canada. Know the restricted items that cannot be imported to Canada. They include explosives, firearms, obscene material, health products, prescription drugs, monetary instruments, plants and animal-related products.
There are a number of programs designed to save time at the border. The NEXUS was created to expedite the border clearance process for pre-approved travellers into Canada and the United States. CANPASS also helps expedite border clearance for frequent travellers into Canada. Not to forget the automated border clearance kiosks at select airports to aid passenger screening and border processing. Download the CanBorder – eDeclaration app that allows travellers to to create a declaration for up to five travellers. The app also offers border wait time data, ports of entry, geolocation and mapping services.
The Canada Border Services Agency collects duty and taxes on imported goods. The Duty and Taxes Estimator on the website helps get an estimate on the applicable duties and taxes. For more information or queries on reporting crime, customs, taxes, immigration laws, ports of entry or others, reach the CBSA support.
