Forum Discussion

boston_blacky's avatar
Dec 24, 2014

Must list auto body repairs on return to Canada??

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.

17 Replies

  • 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
  • I've heard of this before. They trace it through your credit card. Another reason not to lie at the border. Always pay cash :)
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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?"
  • 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?