What info do custom agents write down when a bill is presented?

PointsHubby wrote: ↑ As someone who used to work for Customs.....

StratMangler wrote: ↑ Without going into too many details (it's a loooong story), I'm wondering what info customs agents write down when you present a bill. Order #? Tracking #? Part #? Or only the cost?

Some agents don't seem to care to see a bill at all and just add the totals whereas others take a long look. Wondering which info is specifically noted down by the agents... if anybody has an inkling.

PointsHubby wrote: ↑ As someone who used to work for Customs, I just LOVE these posts.

I am not going to tell you the ins & outs of the job.

You are ONLY ASKING cause you want to know how YOU MIGHT fool the system.

In reality, you are ONLY FOOLING YOURSELF

Eventually everyone gets caught
And that headache ain't worth it in the long run... So sucks to be in the Database and pulled into Secondary each.and.every.time you cross the border... Ask those who live that reality.

But hey, if you like rolling the dice, and losing, keep playing the game.

Otherwise, just do the right thing AND DECLARE EVERYTHING

9 times out of 10 the sticker shock of paying any or all duties owed, is a lot less than folks imagine, and way less hassle.

PointsHubby wrote: ↑ As someone who used to work for Customs, I just LOVE these posts.

I am not going to tell you the ins & outs of the job.

You are ONLY ASKING cause you want to know how YOU MIGHT fool the system.

In reality, you are ONLY FOOLING YOURSELF

Eventually everyone gets caught
And that headache ain't worth it in the long run... So sucks to be in the Database and pulled into Secondary each.and.every.time you cross the border... Ask those who live that reality.

But hey, if you like rolling the dice, and losing, keep playing the game.

Otherwise, just do the right thing AND DECLARE EVERYTHING

9 times out of 10 the sticker shock of paying any or all duties owed, is a lot less than folks imagine, and way less hassle.

EPcjay wrote: ↑ I'm just guessing, from experience, nothing. Cross border shopped over 100 times in the past 5 years. Have not been double checked ever.

PointsHubby wrote: ↑ As someone who used to work for Customs, I just LOVE these posts.

I am not going to tell you the ins & outs of the job.

You are ONLY ASKING cause you want to know how YOU MIGHT fool the system.

In reality, you are ONLY FOOLING YOURSELF
...
blah blah blah

WorldIRC wrote: ↑ So...nothing positive to contribute to this thread then other than assumptions about the actions of another user on the site?

PointsHubby wrote: ↑ As someone who used to work for Customs, I just LOVE these posts.

9 times out of 10 the sticker shock of paying any or all duties owed, is a lot less than folks imagine, and way less hassle.

PointsHubby wrote: ↑ I did contribute positive info...

Declare everything... And always tell the truth.

There is no scenario where that advice won't put you in good standing with Customs Canada.

Wanting to know specifically what is recorded by Customs from a receipt...

I can only think of one scenario where that matters... That of wanting to in someway defraud the system.

What is recorded by Customs should never matter to the individual if they have told the truth.

That is true on an initial crossing / declaration - a return - a warranty claim - or anything else (including an Appeal of a Custom's Ruling)

Your receipt from a US Retailer works exactly the same way one does in Canada from a Cdn Retailer.

WorldIRC wrote: ↑ Does the Access to Information Act allow me to obtain this information from times I've been sent in to pay for my declaration? Or is this considered a state secret that would not be shared.

PointsHubby wrote: ↑ I did contribute positive info...

Declare everything... And always tell the truth.

There is no scenario where that advice won't put you in good standing with Customs Canada.

Wanting to know specifically what is recorded by Customs from a receipt...

I can only think of one scenario where that matters... That of wanting to in someway defraud the system.

What is recorded by Customs should never matter to the individual if they have told the truth.

That is true on an initial crossing / declaration - a return - a warranty claim - or anything else (including an Appeal of a Custom's Ruling)

Your receipt from a US Retailer works exactly the same way one does in Canada from a Cdn Retailer.

nmclean wrote: ↑ There was a specific question here that you proudly flaunted your choice not to answer - a mod calls you out and now you're pretending you're contributing. Talk about fooling only yourself.

You're probably the most qualified in this thread to be of actual assistance, but you've managed to be the least helpful - by choice. It's sad to see.

I wonder if "eventually everyone gets caught" is a two way street. When someone gives you a receipt of ~$100 of non-taxable groceries and you enter $200 of "carnival supplies" because you're tired and just want to get this over with (yes, this has happened), are you ever caught for illegally collecting? I'm guessing not. I too wonder what documentation is involved when officers pull figures out of their arses. But don't mind me, I'm obviously just a clown car smuggler trying to defraud the system.

PointsHubby wrote: ↑ The info regarding the Access to Information Act can be found on the CBSA website:

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/agency-agenc ... o-eng.html

PointsHubby wrote: ↑ It has always been up to the one presenting at the border to declare (and if necessary defend) their statement.

This is always done best by telling the truth, and showing appropriate paperwork.

If you felt that a Custom's Agent incorrectly charged you for importing goods, then it is up to you to defend your position (with paperwork). Preferably at the time of the actual transaction or thru the appeals process.

At Secondary, writing up a bill yes can be subject to human error (Customs Officers do make mistakes... Although I'm not as jaded as you make out that it is intentional. Otherwise they would not be on the line very long... They'd be out of a job / assigned elsewhere)

On the flip side...

Millions of Canadians cross the border annually... Most without issue.

However, there are definitely some who see Customs Agents as "the enemy" ... In their way to getting back home.

In reality a Customs Agent is just any other guy or gal doing a job, in this case keeping Canada safe.

Unfortunately, a proportion of those presenting themselves do so WITH THE INTENTION of providing a FALSE DECLARATION

For them, what a Custom's Agent records / believes is very important to them

When you tell the truth you don't worry a whole lot about the Custom's process... It is just routine

You come prepared with your original paperwork, know what you are declaring, it's worth, and how it fits into your allowances. Answer a few questions. Pay if anything is owed, and are on your way.

The only people who truly despise Customs, are those who have had a run in with them... Most often something that could have been entirely avoided if they were truthful and just followed the law.

spooky wrote: ↑ Here is the information that you will receive from the CBSA if you use the Access to Information Act for your personal file:
https://www.thestar.com/news/privacy-bl ... -like.html

spooky wrote: ↑ Here is the information that you will receive from the CBSA if you use the Access to Information Act for your personal file:
https://www.thestar.com/news/privacy-bl ... -like.html

nmclean wrote: ↑ Another lengthy rant, and amazingly, anything resembling an actual answer to OP's question is still nowhere to be found.

Your bias is transparent. Notice how you are the only one being both defensive and accusatory here. Of course I haven't ruled out the possibility of BSOs making mistakes. You on the other hand have explicitly declared that there is no other possible explanation for this inquiry other than fraud, and reject the idea that a BSO could ever knowingly file something less than accurate without immediately losing his job.

Speaking of jumping to conclusions, I also like how you automatically assumed I'm "jaded" because I mentioned one negative example. Did I imply this was typical? No. Did OP or anyone else here describe CBSA as "the enemy"? No. Maybe it's you who's jaded from the job and you jump to conclusions as an excuse to vent your frustrations.

As for appeals, this is easy if e.g. the officer gave an incorrect valuation for the same item. But if it's something completely different, there is nothing to submit (you can't prove absence). This is why I'm interested in the agent's documentation requirements. If there is no strong requirement (as I suspect) and they are simply taken at their word until proven otherwise, then this is clearly a double standard - hence the "two way street" comment.

So one more time - are you going to answer the question, or just continue to rant aimlessly?




Unfortunately this seems to just be travel records, not customs information.