The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced on December 8 that it has issued a CA$36.9 million administrative monetary penalty to an Ontario business owner who failed to file mandatory export declarations for more than 2,300 used vehicles shipped to West Africa between 2019 and 2023. The investigation, led by CBSA Criminal Investigations in Halifax, uncovered extensive paperwork irregularities after search warrants executed in London, Ontario, yielded troves of invoices, electronic records and blank vehicle titles.
Under Canada’s Customs Act, exporters must submit an Automated Export Declaration (AED) through Statistics Canada’s system prior to departure. The requirement supports anti-theft controls, sanctions enforcement and trade-data accuracy. CBSA says the case is the largest vehicle-export penalty on record and underscores its commitment to “deterring trans-border offences that threaten economic prosperity.”
![CBSA levies record CA$36.9 million fine against Ontario exporter for undeclared vehicle shipments]()
For global-mobility professionals, the case is a cautionary tale: corporate relocation departments that move company vehicles overseas—or engage third-party logistics firms—remain liable for accurate declarations. Failure can trigger fines of up to CA$25,000 per infraction and seizure of goods.
Trade-compliance advisers recommend that exporters: (1) audit freight forwarders and customs brokers regularly; (2) ensure Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) match export documents; and (3) maintain electronic back-ups for six years, as required under CBSA audit rules. The agency says further criminal charges are still possible pending Crown review.
While the penalty does not involve passenger travel, it highlights CBSA’s enforcement posture at marine and land ports—an important signal for companies whose mobility programs include temporary vehicle imports or exports tied to cross-border assignments.
Under Canada’s Customs Act, exporters must submit an Automated Export Declaration (AED) through Statistics Canada’s system prior to departure. The requirement supports anti-theft controls, sanctions enforcement and trade-data accuracy. CBSA says the case is the largest vehicle-export penalty on record and underscores its commitment to “deterring trans-border offences that threaten economic prosperity.”
For global-mobility professionals, the case is a cautionary tale: corporate relocation departments that move company vehicles overseas—or engage third-party logistics firms—remain liable for accurate declarations. Failure can trigger fines of up to CA$25,000 per infraction and seizure of goods.
Trade-compliance advisers recommend that exporters: (1) audit freight forwarders and customs brokers regularly; (2) ensure Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) match export documents; and (3) maintain electronic back-ups for six years, as required under CBSA audit rules. The agency says further criminal charges are still possible pending Crown review.
While the penalty does not involve passenger travel, it highlights CBSA’s enforcement posture at marine and land ports—an important signal for companies whose mobility programs include temporary vehicle imports or exports tied to cross-border assignments.
