Travellers
Travelling with CAN$10,000 or more
Anytime you cross the border, you must declare any currency or monetary instruments you have valued at Can$10,000 or more. This amount includes Canadian or foreign currency or a combination of both. Monetary instruments include, but are not limited to, stocks, bonds, bank drafts, cheques and traveller's cheques. There are no restrictions on the amount of money you can bring into or take out of Canada, nor is it illegal to do so.
Does this apply to you?
This applies to all travellers, couriers and if you are carrying money on behalf of someone else.
Entering Canada
When you arrive in Canada with Can$10,000 or more in your possession, you must report it on the CBSA Declaration Card (if one was provided to you), on an Automated Border Clearance kiosk or a Primary Inspection Kiosk, or in the verbal declaration made to a border services officer.
Leaving Canada
When departing Canada by air with Can$10,000 or more in your possession, you must report to the CBSA office within the airport, before clearing security. Prior to departing by land, boat, or rail, report to the CBSA office nearest your location.
Reporting in person
If you are entering or leaving Canada, you must complete a report containing the information prescribed in Schedule I, II, and III of the Cross-Border Currency and Monetary Instruments Reporting Regulations to the CBSA. This reporting obligation can be fulfilled by completing the Cross-Border Currency or Monetary Instruments Report – Individual (Form E677). If the currency or monetary instruments you are reporting are not your own, you can fulfill the reporting obligation by completing the Cross-Border Currency or Monetary Instruments Report – General (Form E667). Hand the form to a border services officer at the nearest CBSA office that is open at the time you are travelling.
Reporting by mail
If you are sending currency or monetary instruments to Canada by mail, attach a Universal Postal Convention (UPC) declaration, which is available at your nearest postal office, to the parcel and include a report containing the information prescribed in Schedule I, II, and III of the Cross-Border Currency and Monetary Instruments Reporting Regulations. A completed Form E667 currency report placed inside your package can be used to meet this reporting requirement.
When exporting currency or monetary instruments from Canada by mail, attach a Canada Post Customs Declaration form (CN23), which is available at your nearest postal office, to the parcel, include a report containing the information prescribed in Schedule I, II, and III of the Cross-Border Currency and Monetary Instruments Reporting Regulations, and submit a copy of the completed currency report to the nearest CBSA office. This reporting obligation can be fulfilled by completing and submitting Form E667.
Additional postal requirements may exist. Contact Canada Post for more information.
Reporting by courier
If you are sending currency or monetary instruments to or from Canada by courier, the person in charge of the conveyance or the courier must complete a report containing the information prescribed in Schedule I, II and III of the Cross-Border Currency and Monetary Instruments Reporting Regulations. The Cross-Border Currency or Monetary Instruments Report made by Person in charge of conveyance (Form E668) may be used to fulfill this obligation. Attach the completed report to the Cross-Border Currency or Monetary Instruments Report – General (Form E667), which you, the importer or exporter, should complete and provide to the courier.
Failure to report
The CBSA has the authority to seize all currency and monetary instruments if the entire value is not reported. They may be returned after a penalty is paid. Penalties range from Can$250 to Can$5,000. The CBSA will not return the funds if it is suspected they are the proceeds of crime or funds for financing terrorist activities. You can choose to file a review for items that have been seized.
What happens to the information provided to the CBSA?
The completed forms are sent to the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) for assessment and analysis. The information provided on the currency reporting forms is subject to the Privacy Act and is collected under the authority of the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act (PCMLTFA).
Contact the CBSA or FINTRAC for more information or contact the Border Information Service by telephone.
Why do I need to report currency when crossing the border?
To help fight money laundering and terrorist financing, the Government of Canada introduced the PCMLTFA in 2001.
The CBSA is responsible for administering and enforcing Part 2 of the PCMLTFA to help the Government of Canada to:
- Detect and deter money laundering and terrorist financing activities;
- Facilitate the investigation and prosecution of related offences;
- Respond to the threat posed by organized crime; and
- Fulfill international commitments to fight transnational crime.
Important information for NEXUS members
If you are crossing the border with currency or monetary instruments valued at Can$10,000 or more, you cannot use NEXUS in the land, air or marine modes of transportation. For more information: NEXUS Terms and Conditions.
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