What Is a CBSA Customs Examination?
A CBSA customs examination is a physical inspection of imported goods ordered by Canada Border Services Agency before the shipment is released. While the majority of commercial shipments entering Canada are cleared without physical examination, CBSA targets a portion of entries for inspection based on risk factors, random selection, or specific intelligence.
Examinations serve several purposes: verifying that the goods described in the customs entry match what is actually in the shipment, checking for prohibited or restricted goods, confirming that permit or certificate requirements have been met, and detecting undervaluation or misclassification.
The cost of a customs examination falls entirely on the importer. Container movement to the examination facility, devanning and restuffing, storage during the examination period, and any laboratory testing fees are all the importer's responsibility. These costs can be significant — particularly for time-sensitive cargo where delays carry additional freight or demurrage charges.
Why CBSA Selects Shipments for Examination
CBSA uses automated risk-targeting systems to score customs entries and identify shipments that warrant closer review. Risk factors include the importer's compliance history, the commodity type, the country of origin, the shipper or supplier, and patterns identified in CBSA's intelligence data.
New importers consistently face higher examination rates. CBSA has no compliance history to draw on for first-time importers, which results in a higher risk score and more frequent targeting. As an importer builds a track record of accurate entries and compliant shipments, examination frequency typically decreases.
Certain commodity types carry elevated examination risk regardless of the importer's history. Goods from high-risk suppliers or origin countries, shipments where the declared value appears low relative to the market, and entries where CBSA has identified classification or permit issues in similar previous shipments are all more likely to be examined.
Types of Customs Examinations at Canadian Ports
A document examination requires no physical movement of the goods — CBSA reviews the customs entry documentation and may request additional paperwork. This is the least disruptive type of examination and can often be resolved without moving the container.
A tailgate examination involves CBSA officers opening the container doors and visually inspecting the goods without fully unloading the container. This is more involved than a document exam but less disruptive than a full exam.
A full examination — sometimes called a 100% exam — requires the container to be transported to an examination facility and the goods to be fully unloaded, inspected, and reloaded. This is the most time-consuming and expensive type of examination. Ezcustoms coordinates the logistics with the sufferance warehouse and examination facility to minimize the time goods spend out of the container.
What Happens During and After a CBSA Examination?
Once CBSA directs an examination, the customs broker is notified and the container must be moved to the designated examination facility — typically a sufferance warehouse at or near the port. The container movement and facility fees begin accruing immediately.
After the physical inspection, CBSA makes one of several decisions: release the shipment if the goods match the declaration; request additional documentation or information; detain the goods pending further review; or seize the goods if a violation is found. The vast majority of examined shipments are released after inspection.
If CBSA identifies discrepancies during the examination — goods that differ from the declaration in quantity, description, or value — the customs entry must be amended. Ezcustoms manages post-examination amendments and communicates the outcome and next steps to the importer throughout the process.
How to Reduce the Risk and Cost of Customs Examinations
Accurate customs entries are the most effective long-term strategy for reducing examination frequency. CBSA's targeting algorithms factor in an importer's compliance history — a consistent record of accurate entries, correct HS codes, and complete documentation signals low risk and reduces targeting probability over time.
Pre-arrival filing also helps. Submitting your customs entry well before the vessel arrives gives CBSA time to process and release the entry before the shipment docks. If an examination is directed, early notification gives Ezcustoms more time to coordinate logistics before storage charges accumulate.
Working with an experienced customs broker who manages examination logistics quickly — immediately arranging container movement, submitting required documents, and communicating status — minimizes the total time goods spend in the examination process. Ezcustoms coordinates with sufferance warehouse operators and examination facilities to keep exam logistics moving efficiently.
Related Service
If this topic applies to your current import program, you can also learn more about our service support here: Customs Exam Coordination Services.