by Large-Scale Customs Violation
According to a report from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), one exporter organized a large-scale operation to remove over 2,300 used vehicles from the country. For several years, these vehicles were shipped to countries in West Africa. However, as investigators claim, the entrepreneur “forgot” a key legal aspect of his activities.
He did not file any of the mandatory customs export declarations required by Canadian law. For this violation, he now faces a fine of 36.9 million Canadian dollars, equivalent to approximately 26.7 million US dollars.
Key facts of the case:
Investigation Lasted Years
The case drew the attention of CBSA investigators back in 2021 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. This led to a multi-year investigation involving law enforcement on both sides of the border. During the searches in London, a significant amount of evidence was seized: business and financial records, vehicle ownership certificates, sales contracts, mobile phones, SIM cards, and other devices.
In August 2025, the agency issued a “Notice of Ascertained Forfeiture.” This legal mechanism is applied when goods violating the law can no longer be physically seized, which is likely what happened in this case, as the vehicles are already outside of Canada.
One of the Largest Penalties
According to Sections 95 and 124 of Canada’s Customs Act, the penalty for such violations can reach the full value of the illegally exported goods, which formed the basis for imposing this record-breaking sanction.
The multi-million dollar penalty resulting from this investigation is a powerful reminder to commercial exporters that they will be held accountable for failing to comply with mandatory reporting requirements and Canadian laws
— stated Dominick Mallette, Regional Director General of CBSA in the Atlantic Region.
This fine is one of the largest of its kind in recent years. The government did not mention car thefts in this specific case; however, it is worth noting that Canada has long been battling the problem of exporting stolen vehicles on ships bound for West Africa.
Photo: CBSA
This case clearly demonstrates how seriously Canadian customs authorities take compliance with export procedures, even when dealing with goods that can no longer be returned. The size of the fine, equivalent to the value of the entire shipment, is intended not only to punish the offender but also to set a precedent to deter others from attempting to ignore the law. Such actions undermine not only the state’s fiscal interests but also complicate the fight against international criminal schemes related to smuggling and the trafficking of stolen cars.
