Canada Border Services Agency Announces Changes to Administrative Monetary Penalties

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has issued Customs Notice 19-05 to advise importers that the penalties for numerous contraventions related to commercial trade have increased significantly as of April 1, 2019.  

While the penalty increases impact 22 different contravention codes, system-generated penalties related to the timing of accounting for imported goods have not been raised, and the maximum Administrative Monetary Penalty (AMP) remains at $25,000 (per first level occurrence). The CBSA will also reset penalties to the first level for affected infractions occurring on or after the effective date of the changes.