Canada Border Services Agency

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) was created in 2003 and operates as an agency under the Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness (PSEP) portfolio.

An Act to Establish the Canada Border Services Agency formally defines the CBSA's mandate. Under this Act, the CBSA is responsible for providing integrated border services that support national security priorities and facilitate the free flow of persons and goods, including animals and plants, which meet all requirements under the program legislation.

Providing an essential service to Canadians, we are responsible for managing, controlling and securing Canada's borders to:

• ensure that all people coming into Canada are admissible and comply with Canadian laws and regulations;
• process all commercial shipments that cross our ports of entry to ensure that Canada's border laws and regulations are adhered to, that no illegal goods enter or leave the country, and that related trade statistics are accurate;
• make sure all applicable duties and taxes are paid;
• ensure food safety and plant and animal health, by identifying and interdicting high-risk regulated commodities arriving at our air, land and sea ports;
• detain those who may pose a threat to Canada;
• remove people who have been determined inadmissible to our country, including those involved in war crimes or crimes against humanity; and
• assist in combating money laundering.

With a workforce of approximately 12,000 public servants, CBSA provides services at approximately 1,200 points across Canada and 39 locations abroad. We administer more than 90 acts and regulations on behalf of other federal departments and agencies, and international agreements.

More information

Consultations
The CBSA will be conducting ongoing consultations with the public and stakeholders to ensure its priorites and operations are in-line with key trends and developments.

Reports to Parliament
CBSA corporate documents, including the Departmental Performance Report and Report on Plans and Priorities, tabled in parliament and hosted on the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat Web site.

CBSA Programs and Services
Information on CBSA's major trade and travel related programs and services.

Directory of CBSA offices
A comprehensive listing of CBSA offices and service locations across Canada organized by province and district.