The CBSA has been allocated $6.7M over 3 years to evaluate detection technology and tools which could be used during examinations to efficiently identify and interdict stolen vehicles, and ensure legitimate shipments are not subject to unnecessary delays.
With this funding, the CBSA will evaluate new detection technology, such as non-intrusive technology and advanced analytical tools such as artificial intelligence, which can assist in examinations and interdictions.
The CBSA will explore solutions to assist in examinations and seizures using non-intrusive, inspection technology. Given the volume of commercial shipments to Canada each year (over 24 million commercial importation releases a year), it is not possible to manually inspect each shipment, and would be highly inefficient since the vast majority contain legitimate and properly declared goods and we must not slow them down. No Border Five countries systematically scans all exports.
As smuggling and criminal organizations are constantly evolving, the CBSA is conducting a significant amount of research on available technologies and processes to develop better ways to address the interception of stolen vehicles with the goal of enabling higher container examination rates while ensuring that legitimate goods are able to move freely.
Actions Taken To Date
All major marine ports in Canada already have on-site access to mobile large-scale x-ray trucks, which can be used to support export exams.
We are working with international customs partners to identify technology suited to identify contraband in marine shipping containers in a port environment, including signal detection devices and backscatter x-ray vans.
Technical experts at Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Canadian Security Intelligence Service are also supporting the CBSA with information exchange and demonstrations of the state of the art technologies which could be best suited for detection of stolen vehicles within the CBSA’s operational context.