Prosecutions and Seizures

Northern Ontario Region

Ottawa woman pays over $80,000 in penalties for the return of undeclared designer jewellery

Ottawa, Ontario, January 12, 2012 — The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced today that an Ottawa woman has been fined over $23,000 for failing to declare a watch and other jewellery when returning to Canada in 2010.

On December 22, 2011, Meredithe Rechan, a 48-year-old Ottawa resident, pled guilty in an Ottawa courtroom to failing to declare goods under Section 12 of the Customs Act and was fined $23,869.19 (the amount she would have paid had she properly declared the items).

Rechan had purchased a Harry Winston ‘Semira Twirl' watch, cuff links and earrings valued at $125,300 while on a trip to Singapore in September 2010 and failed to declare the goods upon her return to Canada. A follow-up investigation and search warrant located the undeclared watch, cuff links and earrings. The CBSA seized the items at the Rechan residence.

In addition to the fine, Rechan had to pay a penalty of $56,805.57 for the return of the goods.

"It is the CBSA's responsibility to ensure that applicable duties and taxes on imported goods are properly collected,” said CBSA Regional Director General for Northern Ontario, Denis R. Vinette. "Travellers are reminded to declare all their purchases regardless of whether exemptions may apply as there may be enforcement actions taken for undervaluing or not declaring purchases.”

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For media information
Caroline Desjarlais
Communications
Canada Border Services Agency
613-991-1591

(Left to right) - Diamond cuff links, watch and matching bracelet and earrings valued at $125,300 seized by the CBSA.

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