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ARTICLE · 12 JULY 2016

Canada To Add Export Smuggling Offence Into Customs Act

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On June 15, 2016, the Government of Canada introduced Bill C-21 "An Act to amend the Customs Act" in the House of Commons.

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Cyndee Todgham Cherniak
Cyndee Todgham Cherniak
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On June 15, 2016, the Government of Canada introduced Bill C-21 "An Act to amend the Customs Act" in the House of Commons. The amendments to the Customs Act focus on exports of people and goods. Many of the amendments deal with the gathering of information about the export of goods and people. However, one of the hidden changes relating to export smuggling may be more important for businesses.

New subsection 159(2) of the Customs Act creates a new offence of smuggling out of Canada. Subsection 159(2) provides:

"Every person commits an offence who smuggles or attempts to smuggle out of Canada, whether clandestinely or not, any goods that are subject to duties, or any goods the exportation of which is prohibited, controlled or regulated under this or any other Act of Parliament."

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