CBSA Customs Examinations
CBSA customs examinations occur when an officer refers a traveller or their goods to secondary inspection for a more thorough review. Examinations can involve baggage searches, vehicle inspections, document verification, and interviews. Officers have broad authority to examine goods and people crossing the border under the Customs Act.
What Triggers a Secondary Examination?
During primary inspection, a Border Services Officer assesses each traveller and makes a referral decision. A secondary referral can be triggered by:
- Risk indicators — travel history, passport origin, declared goods, or behavioural cues
- Intelligence hits — alerts from CBSA’s targeting systems or law enforcement databases
- Random selection — CBSA uses randomized secondary referrals as part of its compliance strategy
- Inconsistencies in declarations — mismatched answers, unusual travel patterns, or undeclared goods
- Technical flags — licence plates, passport scans, or cargo manifests flagging risk
Being referred to secondary does not mean an officer suspects you of wrongdoing. Referrals are a routine part of the border examination process.
For an officer’s perspective on the referral decision, see CBSA Primary vs Secondary Inspection.
What Happens During Secondary Inspection
Secondary examination is conducted in a dedicated area of the port of entry. Depending on the nature of the referral, the examination may include:
Document Review
- Verification of passport, visa, travel permits, or work/study authorization
- Checking for inadmissibility flags or outstanding warrants
Goods and Baggage Examination
- Physical search of carry-on and checked luggage
- Review of declared and undeclared items
- Assessment of duty and tax owing on goods brought into Canada
Vehicle Inspection
- Interior and exterior search of personal vehicles
- Inspection of trunk, undercarriage, and engine compartment
- Use of detection tools (ion scanners, K9 units, imaging technology)
Interview
- Additional questions about travel purpose, itinerary, companions, and declarations
- Officers may record notes; responses can be used in subsequent proceedings
CBSA’s Authority to Examine
Under the Customs Act, CBSA officers have the authority to:
- Examine any person arriving in Canada
- Open, unpack, and inspect any goods being imported
- Search personal belongings, vehicles, and cargo
- Use detection technology including X-ray, ion mobility spectrometry, and trained detector dogs
Officers do not require a warrant to examine goods at the border — the border is a constitutionally recognized zone of reduced privacy expectations in Canadian law.
For a look at what K9 units can detect, see CBSA K9 Handler: Working with Detector Dogs at the Border.
Examinations of Goods for Commercial Importers
Commercial shipments are subject to their own examination process, separate from traveller examinations. CBSA’s commercial stream involves:
- Pre-arrival risk assessment of cargo manifests
- Targeting of high-risk shipments for examination
- Physical inspection of containers, pallets, and individual packages
- Release and accounting procedures for compliant shipments
Officers working in commercial operations specialize in trade compliance rather than traveller processing. See CBSA Commercial and Trade Enforcement for more on this career stream.
Seizures and Enforcement Actions
If a secondary examination reveals undeclared goods, prohibited items, or evidence of an offence, officers can:
- Seize goods — prohibited or undeclared items may be forfeited
- Assess duties and penalties — outstanding duties plus a penalty for non-compliance
- Issue notices — formal documentation of the seizure and the person’s rights to review
- Refer to law enforcement — if criminal activity is suspected (e.g., drug trafficking, weapons)
See CBSA Customs Seizures for a full breakdown of how the seizure process works.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I refuse a secondary inspection?
No. Refusal to comply with a CBSA examination is itself an offence under the Customs Act and can result in detention or arrest.
How long can a secondary examination take?
Simple document checks may take minutes. Complex vehicle or goods inspections can take several hours. There is no fixed maximum time — officers examine until they are satisfied.
Can I have a lawyer present during secondary inspection?
You have the right to be informed of your right to counsel if you are being detained. For routine goods examinations, legal counsel is not typically present at the moment of inspection, but you can seek advice afterward.
What if CBSA seizes something I believe was legal to bring in?
You have the right to request a review of any seizure or enforcement decision. The process for challenging a CBSA enforcement action is outlined in CBSA Hearings and Appeals.
