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

nomad297
Explorer
Dec 24, 2014
Fizz wrote:
I've heard of this before. They trace it through your credit card. Another reason not to lie at the border. Always pay cash :)

Why pay cash if you're not going to lie?

Bruce
Fizz
Explorer
Dec 24, 2014
I've heard of this before. They trace it through your credit card. Another reason not to lie at the border. Always pay cash :)
mayo30
Explorer
Dec 24, 2014
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.
Community Alumni
Dec 24, 2014
I would simply contact Canadian Border Services Agency and ask them.
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/contact/menu-eng.html
You can call or send they an email and get you answer directly. I've done it several times and they have always been helpful.
Road_Runners
Explorer
Dec 24, 2014
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.
rwbradley
Explorer
Dec 24, 2014
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?"
dieharder
Explorer
Dec 24, 2014
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?

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Must list auto body repairs on return to Canada??

17 Replies

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