Here's the background: I had some auto body repairs done to my pick up's front end exactly one year ago. It amounted to $1,700 (USD) which I did not declare on re-entry into Canada from the US, in the spring.Canada customs know about that repair work already; i.e. before I reached the check point. I'm writing this to give you a heads up - as I believe Canadian Insurance Companies must provide this info to the authorities - as I can not figure out how else Can. customs could have known!From what I understand, it may fall under the category of 'Emergency Veh. Repairs' and only GST and similar taxes are imposed. In my case, none were required. Happy Holidays and a wonderful 2015.

Must be some other explanation, because insurance companies are under no obligation to report this, nor have I ever heard of any insurance company reporting this. Maybe talk to your insurance company to see if they did?

Could it have been that it was paid by an electronic method ie Credit card and a very large international credit card charge got flagged? I suspect this a more likely scenario as they are watching for large sums of money moving around internationally to fund terrorism.Did they know the exact details of the work done (this would suggest insurance) or did they simply know "hey you spent $2500 on your car, why did you not tell us?"

I wouldn't consider $1,700 a huge sum of money anymore. According to USA reporting procedures the amount has to be $10,000 in a cash transaction. Paying by personal or certified check is not considered cash, but paying by credit card is considered a cash transaction.

I would simply contact Canadian Border Services Agency and ask them.http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/contact/menu-eng.htmlYou can call or send they an email and get you answer directly. I've done it several times and they have always been helpful.

Its the holiday season and the only thing I can think of was you should have painted it the same color as the rest of the vehicle??Sorry.

Must list auto body repairs on return to Canada??

17 Replies

FULLTIMEWANABE
Explorer
Dec 27, 2014
For years we've always made a packed lunch to take on the plane with us from Canada down to the US, with stop overs enroute. 12th December this year daughter and fiance were questioned as usual at immigration and as per usual had ticked NO to all the declaration questions. US Immigration officer asked them specifically this time if they had any sandwiches/food to eat, which they did, and were informed that if they were searched and these were found they'd be fined up to $250. Even though they didn't confiscate them, the guy shook them up a bit over it.

Never been issue in the past but I guess moving forward now .......
alfredmay
Explorer
Dec 27, 2014
Wow....... all of this "declaring" is really splitting hairs. How about declaring the lunch you purchased and ate at a restaurant that you are bringing back in the afternoon.
Community Alumni
Dec 27, 2014
Trackrig wrote:
slickest1 wrote:
We cross the border regularly.We always declare our purchases. I never used to declare gas until one day I pulled in and did not realize I forgot to close the little gas door. The customs fellow asked what we purchased and I told him. He then said did you purchase gas? I said yes and he said good answer and then pointed to my gas door. He asked why didn't you tell me you got gas.I said I did not think I had to declare it. I always make sure I do now.

Did he expect you to declare all of the fuel you bought outside of Canada, or just what you brought back into Canada with you?

Bill

Actually the amount that you are re-entering Canada with that was not in the vehicle when you left Canada. Technically you should be declaring oil changes and anything that was done to the vehicle before returning into Canada. Like many regulations, they never enforce it but the requirement is there.
SARGUY
Explorer
Dec 27, 2014
Big Brother is watching you.
Trackrig
Explorer II
Dec 27, 2014
slickest1 wrote:
We cross the border regularly.We always declare our purchases. I never used to declare gas until one day I pulled in and did not realize I forgot to close the little gas door. The customs fellow asked what we purchased and I told him. He then said did you purchase gas? I said yes and he said good answer and then pointed to my gas door. He asked why didn't you tell me you got gas.I said I did not think I had to declare it. I always make sure I do now.

Did he expect you to declare all of the fuel you bought outside of Canada, or just what you brought back into Canada with you?

Bill
slickest1
Explorer
Dec 27, 2014
We cross the border regularly.We always declare our purchases. I never used to declare gas until one day I pulled in and did not realize I forgot to close the little gas door. The customs fellow asked what we purchased and I told him. He then said did you purchase gas? I said yes and he said good answer and then pointed to my gas door. He asked why didn't you tell me you got gas.I said I did not think I had to declare it. I always make sure I do now.
Trackrig
Explorer II
Dec 25, 2014
Do they expect you to report an oil change also since it's new oil you're bringing into Canada?

Bill
boston_blacky
Explorer
Dec 25, 2014
Just to make one last point and then to wish you fine folks a very Merry Christmas. Yes, it was the result of an accident. And, I did not lie - as I had no idea (at the time) auto body repairs are declarable items! Now, Season Greetings - ye'll. bb
colliehauler
Explorer III
Dec 25, 2014
Probably the same way Car-Fax gets the info.
moisheh
Explorer
Dec 24, 2014
They do not search your credit card statements. It is up to you to declare the repairs. If it was an accident there will be no duty. No reason to lie. This is not 1950!

Moisheh