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ENF 15 Made Simple: A Complete Guide to Carrier Responsibilities for Travel to Canada

If you work for an airline, a cruise line, a bus company, or any other business that brings people into Canada, you need to know about ENF 15. This is the official rulebook from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). It explains what you must do to avoid big fines and legal trouble.

This guide takes the official ENF 15 document and breaks it into simple, clear steps.

What is ENF 15? (In Plain English)

ENF 15 is a manual that lists the legal duties of any transporter (you) who carries passengers to Canada. It is based on Canada’s main immigration law, the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA). Think of it as your pre-flight checklist for legal compliance.

If you fail to follow ENF 15, the CBSA can:

• Fine you thousands of dollars per passenger.
• Make you pay for the passenger’s flight home.
• Detain or seize your airplane, ship, or bus.

Who Must Follow ENF 15? (The "Transporter")

You are a "transporter" if you:

• Own, rent, or manage an airplane, ship, train, or bus.
• Operate an international bridge or tunnel (for cars).
• Are an agent for any of the above.

Simple rule: If you sell tickets for travel into Canada, these rules apply to you.

The 5 Most Important Duties Under ENF 15

Here are the core responsibilities you cannot ignore.

1. You Cannot Bring People with Wrong (or Missing) Documents

What the rule says (A148(1)(a)): You are banned from carrying anyone who lacks the correct papers.

What this means for you:
Before a passenger boards, you MUST check that they have the right documents for Canada. These include:

Passenger Type	Required Document
U.S. Citizen	Valid U.S. Passport
Visa-Exempt Tourist (e.g., UK, Australia, EU)	Valid Passport + eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization)
Tourist from a Visa-Required Country (e.g., India, China)	Valid Passport + Visitor Visa (sticker in passport)
Canadian Citizen	Valid Canadian Passport (No exceptions for dual citizens)
Canadian Permanent Resident	Valid PR Card or PR Travel Document

🚨 Critical Warning for Airlines: A Canadian citizen (even if they also have another passport) cannot board a flight to Canada with a foreign passport. They will be denied boarding. The eTA system will reject them automatically.

2. You Must Hold Passengers for CBSA Inspection

What the rule says (A148(1)(b)): You must present all passengers for examination and keep them there until the officer says they are done.

What this means for you:

• You cannot let passengers leave the inspection area.
• For cargo ships, crew members must stay on the vessel until examined.
• At airports, you hold passengers in the terminal (not on the plane).

You are only released from this duty when:

• An officer says "examination complete," OR
• The passenger is allowed to enter Canada for more checks, OR
• The passenger is arrested or detained.

3. You Must Send Passenger Data Before Takeoff (IAPI)

What the rule says (R269): Commercial carriers must send Advanced Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) data to the CBSA before arrival.

What this means for you:
You must electronically send each passenger’s:

• Full name
• Date of birth
• Citizenship
• Passport number
• Travel itinerary
• Reservation details

This system is called IAPI (Interactive Advance Passenger Information) . The CBSA instantly checks the data against Canadian immigration databases. Then they send you back one of two messages:

Message	Meaning	Your Action
"Board"	Passenger has valid eTA/visa	Allowed to board
"No Board"	Passenger lacks valid eTA/visa or is a dual Canadian citizen with wrong passport	Do NOT board

Important: The "No Board" message is a warning. The final responsibility still falls on you. If you board someone despite a "No Board" message, you will be fined.

4. You Must Take Refused People Back (Removal Duty)

What the rule says (A148(1)(f) & R276): If you bring an inadmissible person to Canada, you must take them back out.

What this means for you:
If the CBSA refuses entry to a passenger you brought, you have 48 hours to arrange their return flight. You must:

• Book the most direct route possible.
• Ensure layovers are no longer than 12 hours.
• Provide an escort if the CBSA says one is needed.

If you fail to do this, the CBSA will arrange the removal and send you the bill for all costs (flights, escorts, meals, hotels).

5. You Must Provide Facilities for Inspections

What the rule says (A148(1)(e) & R271): You must provide, equip, and maintain holding and examination facilities at ports of entry.

What this means for you:
At airports, you work with the airport authority to ensure there are enough rooms and space for CBSA officers to process passengers.

Financial Penalties: What Will This Cost You?

ENF 15 lists specific fines and costs. Here is the breakdown.

The $3,200 Administration Fee (per bad passenger)

Under section R279, the CBSA will charge you an administration fee of $3,200 for each improperly documented passenger you bring to Canada.

When do they charge this fee?

• Passenger has no visa or eTA.
• Passenger has the wrong passport.
• Passenger is a dual Canadian citizen with a foreign passport.
• Passenger fails to appear for examination.
• Passenger is a crew member who is inadmissible.

How to Reduce the Fee (The MOU Program)

If you are an airline, you can sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the CBSA. This is a formal agreement to follow strict document-checking procedures.

MOU Performance Level	Fee Reduction	Final Fee per Passenger
Signed MOU (base level)	25%	$2,400
Good interdiction results	50%	$1,600
Very good results	75%	$800
Excellent results	100%	$0

Removal Costs (The Big Risk)

If you fail to remove an inadmissible person, you pay all removal costs. This includes:

• Airfare for the passenger and any escorts.
• Overtime wages for CBSA escort officers.
• Hotel and meal costs for everyone.
• Fees for getting travel documents (like emergency passports).
• Interpreter fees.

Example: If you bring an improperly documented person from a remote country and the CBSA has to send two officers to escort them home, the total bill could easily exceed $10,000.

Medical Costs

Under section R263, you must pay for medical exams and treatment if:

• The passenger is a crew member.
• The passenger is a foreign national without a valid visa or PR status.
• The passenger’s health problem is your fault (e.g., a crew member gets sick).

Exception: You do NOT pay if the passenger holds a valid temporary or permanent resident visa and the illness is not your fault.

Security Deposits: "Good Money" You Leave with CBSA

The CBSA can ask you to leave a cash deposit to ensure you follow the rules.

For Ships (Marine Mode)

• Amount: $25,000 per inadmissible person (stowaway or crew member).
• Why: To cover the $3,200 fee plus expected removal costs.
• Refund: You get back what is left after all costs are paid.

For Airlines (Air Mode)

• Most airlines must leave a general security deposit.
• The amount is based on your compliance history.
• You must have a security deposit to sign an MOU.

For Buses, Trains, Taxis (Land Mode)

• The CBSA can ask for a case-specific deposit.
• Contact the Transporter Obligations Program if you think you might need one.

What Happens If You Don't Comply? (Enforcement)

If you ignore your duties or refuse to pay fines, the CBSA has strong powers under A148(2) .

Enforcement Action	What It Means
Detention	The CBSA takes control of your vehicle but leaves it with you. They will not let it leave the port or airport.
Seizure	The CBSA takes physical possession of your airplane, ship, or bus. They can sell it to pay your debts.
Federal Court Judgment	The CBSA registers the debt in court. They can then take money directly from your bank account.

Real-world example: If an airline refuses to pay $50,000 in administration fees, the CBSA can detain one of its aircraft at the gate. The plane cannot take off until the bill is paid.

Step-by-Step: What to Do When an Improper Passenger Arrives

Use this checklist if the CBSA tells you that a passenger you brought is inadmissible.

1. Receive the BSF502 form (Notice to Transporter). This is official notice.
2. Do not argue with the officer at the desk. Focus on solving the problem.
3. If there is no removal order yet: Expect to remove the person within 48 hours under Part B of the BSF502.
4. If there is a removal order: You must arrange travel. Provide the CBSA with the new flight itinerary immediately.
5. If you cannot arrange removal: Tell the CBSA in writing. They will arrange it and bill you.
6. Keep records: Save tickets, boarding passes, and the BSF453 form (Confirmation by Transporter). You may need them to prove you complied.

Common Mistakes That Trigger Fines

Avoid these costly errors.

Mistake	Consequence
Boarding a dual Canadian citizen with a foreign passport	$3,200 fee + cost to return them to Canada
Ignoring an IAPI "No Board" message	$3,200 fee per passenger
Failing to check for a valid eTA	$3,200 fee + removal costs
Not holding a passenger for examination (letting them wander off)	Liability for all CBSA costs to find and process them
Refusing to remove a refused passenger	Full cost of CBSA-arranged removal (thousands of dollars)

Key Forms You Need to Know

ENF 15 references several official forms. Keep these on hand.

Form Number	Name	Purpose
BSF453	Confirmation by Transporter	You confirm passenger details. Sign this when asked.
BSF501	Costs Payable by Transporters	The CBSA uses this to bill you.
BSF502	Notice to Transporter	Official notice of a problem or removal requirement.
BSF575	Receipt for Prescribed Documents	Receipt if you hold a passenger’s documents.
BSF775	Notice of Detention or Seizure	The CBSA gives you this if they detain or seize your vehicle.

Real-Life Scenario: What a Good Response Looks Like

Situation: An airline check-in agent in London misses that a passenger does not have an eTA. The passenger flies to Toronto. The CBSA finds the error.

Bad Response (Costly):

• Airline argues with the CBSA officer.
• Airline refuses to sign the BSF453.
• Airline says "not our problem" and does not arrange a return flight.
• Result: $3,200 fee + full CBSA removal cost (e.g., $1,500 flight + escort costs).

Good Response (Compliant):

• Airline representative politely accepts the BSF502 notice.
• Airline immediately books the passenger on the next flight back to London.
• Airline provides the CBSA with the new booking reference within 4 hours.
• Result: $3,200 fee only (or reduced if they have an MOU). No removal costs.

Where to Get Help

The Transporter Obligations Program at CBSA National Headquarters handles all these issues.

• Email: (Refer to the official CBSA website for current contact)
• Mail: Stakeholder Engagement and Outreach Unit, Transporter Obligations Program, Programs Branch, CBSA

Always check the official Canada.ca website for the most current versions of forms and fee amounts.

Final Summary for Transporters

Your Duty	Simple Action	Penalty for Failure
Check documents	Verify passport + eTA/visa before boarding	$3,200 per passenger
Use IAPI	Send API/PNR data electronically	"No Board" messages ignored → fines
Hold passengers	Keep them in inspection area until released	Liability for CBSA costs
Remove refused persons	Book return flight within 48 hours	Pay full CBSA removal costs ($$$)
Pay fees	Pay administration fees or sign an MOU	Vehicle detention or seizure

Bottom line: ENF 15 is designed to make you a partner in Canadian border security. The rules are strict, but they are clear. Train your staff, use the IAPI system, and act quickly when problems arise. Compliance will save you money and keep your vehicles moving.

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