A cruise ship guest learned an expensive lesion during a recent Canada and New England cruise.
The guest was found to have more than $23,000 in cash in his baggage and was hit with a fine for not declaring the amount.
It happened earlier this month during a routine customs process by officers of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) as the Enchanted Princess ship docked at Saint John, New Brunswick.
The guest, a citizen of India, was fined more than $1,100.
Travelers Must Declare Cash Of CAD$10,000 Or More When Entering Canada
“CBSA officers seized US$23K in undeclared cash from a traveler on a cruise ship. The traveler paid a penalty in order to have the funds returned. Entering Canada with CAD$10K or more? Remember to declare it,” the CBSA said in a X post.
The relatively little-known rule is to combat transborder money laundering or organized crime. However, the CBSA officers didn’t suspect the guest of any wrongdoing other than failing to declare the amount. The guest was fined the minimum of 5% o the total.
Trouble for Not Declaring
Efforts to enter the country without declaring cash can lead to heftier fines of up to 50%, confiscation and/or prison time in more serious crime related incidents.
“Reporting currency is an important part of helping the Government of Canada fight money laundering, organized crime, and terrorist financing,” said CBSA spokesperson Luke Reimer.
There is no actual maximum limit on the amount of cash that can be brought into Canada as long as amounts of CAD$10,000 or more are declared.
St John, NB is one of the Canadian ports where first arrival customs checks are carried out for international arrivals, even for passengers who have no intention of going ashore during the port call.
