– either a hub or at the frontier – working in collaboration with U.S. This would see CBSA officers stationed at strategic points in the U.S. The CBSA is currently pursuing opportunities to leverage preclearance authorities for rail shipments. Performing examinations at the First Point of Arrival can actually be hampered by a number of factors, including: the lack of infrastructure where the rail line crosses the border, the length of a train, the volatility of some commodities, the type of rail cars (for example, tanker cars are under pressure and border service officers cannot open these to conduct an examination), and environmental obstacles/hazards.įor these reasons, it is often preferable to have the train move to the first point along the line where the CBSA can safely interdict and perform a proper examination also known as First Point of Operational Intervention. In 2021, the CBSA conducted over 220,000 commercial examinations, 25,000 more inspections than in 2020. The CBSA leverages detection tools like X-ray technology and detector dogs to quickly and effectively identify contraband such as guns and drugs coming across the border. In some cases this requires deeper and more intrusive inspections and examinations, in accordance with appropriate legal authorities, by officers at ports of entry, while in other areas we rely on data analytics, intelligence and the targeting of specific packages or containers.

The CBSA uses an integrated and risk-based approach by assessing goods before they arrive in Canada, leveraging investments in data and technology to focus on high-risk importations.Īll shipments entering Canada are assessed for the risk they present to Canada and Canadians.

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