On June 9, 2015, CBSA officers at Toronto Pearson International Airport seized over 27 kilograms of undeclared raw meat from a traveller arriving from Egypt. The raw meat products, such as partly frozen beef cuts, whole goose and smaller avian birds, were found inside the travellers’ luggage after detector dog Scout indicated positively at the baggage carousel of Terminal One. The luggage was brought into the secondary inspection area for further examination and the raw meat products were discovered inside. The traveller was counselled about the requirement to declare all food, plant, animals and related products and the meat was seized and destroyed.
Many travellers are unaware that undeclared meat, animal hides, live birds, plants and fruit may damage Canada’s food supply, economy, environment and human health. Every traveller entering Canada must declare all goods, including food, plants, animals and related products.
Quick Facts
- The CBSA administers over 90 Acts and Regulations, many on behalf of other government departments and agencies such as the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Environment Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
- Importers and travellers must ensure that any food, plants, and animals and related products that they are bringing into Canada meet all import requirements.
Quote
“Intercepting undeclared food, plant and animal products at our nation’s borders is of paramount concern to the CBSA. Declaring is the law and failing to declare could lead to the confiscation of products, fines of up to $1,300 per undeclared item and/or prosecution.”
Goran Vragovic, CBSA Regional Director General, Greater Toronto Area Region
Associated Links
Bring Goods Across the Border
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Contacts
CBSA Media Relations
Greater Toronto Area
905-803-2800
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