Published
Sundeep S. Grewal is a lawyer at Lawgical Law Corporation, called to the BC bar in 2018, and a member of the Law Society of British Columbia.
Updated November 13, 2026: CBSA’s trusted traveller recourse page and the Federal Courts Act checked that day.
The usual trigger: undeclared goods or currency, a seizure or penalty, or a NEXUS lane mistake.
Deadline: a CBSA review must be requested within 90 days of the decision taking effect.
What wins reviews: a clear explanation, your compliance history, and documents. Why a lawyer
Our immigration lawyers
Sundeep S. GrewalBarrister and Solicitor
Prabhpreet Kaur SanghaBarrister and Solicitor
Pardeep S. GrewalBarrister and SolicitorAbout our lawyers
Sundeep S. Grewal founded Lawgical Law Corporation and argues immigration cases at the Immigration and Refugee Board and the Federal Court of Canada.
Prabhpreet Kaur Sangha focuses on refugee claims, immigration appeals, inadmissibility, detention reviews and Federal Court cases, and has presented at Continuing Legal Education seminars and the National Immigration Conference.
Pardeep S. Grewal is an immigration and estates lawyer known for clear communication and practical strategy.
Most NEXUS cancellations by CBSA follow one border event: goods or currency not declared, a seizure, a penalty, or using the NEXUS lane when not everyone in the car was a member. A cancellation feels final, but CBSA has a review process, and a well-prepared request that explains what happened can succeed.
Lawgical Law Corporation, an immigration law firm in Surrey, Abbotsford and Vancouver, BC, prepares CBSA NEXUS review requests and Federal Court judicial reviews; this guide is by Sundeep S. Grewal.
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What the officer recorded
Your review depends on what’s in CBSA’s file: the officer’s notes, any seizure receipt and the penalty. If you don’t have them, ask CBSA for your records under the Privacy Act. See getting your CBSA file. Don’t let a records request make you miss the 90-day review deadline: file the review on time and say more documents will follow if needed.
Paid the penalty, or disputing the seizure?
| Situation | What to know |
|---|---|
| You paid the penalty | The NEXUS review is separate. Paying doesn’t stop you from explaining why cancellation is too harsh. |
| You dispute the seizure itself | A seizure has its own review process, with a separate 90-day deadline under the Customs Act (s. 129). Get advice quickly so neither deadline is missed. |
Writing the review request
- What happened, in order, honestly and briefly;
- Why it happened, without excuses;
- Your compliance history: years of membership and crossings without problems;
- What you’ve changed;
- Receipts, photos and statements from others in the vehicle;
- A certified criminal record check if relevant.
If the review fails
You can apply to the Federal Court for judicial review within 30 days of the review decision (Federal Courts Act s. 18.1). See a revoked or denied NEXUS card for how this works.
Why a lawyer helps
One lawyer, one file, every step:
- getting the CBSA file;
- writing a review request that answers the officer’s reasons;
- advising on the separate seizure process;
- Federal Court review if needed.
A review request is your chance to put the border event in context. It works best when it answers the reason CBSA gave, with evidence.
Immigration lawyers are members of a provincial law society (in our case, the Law Society of British Columbia), and only a lawyer can represent you in the Federal Court if a refusal has to be challenged there. An immigration consultant cannot appear in that court for you.
Common mistakes
- Minimizing or contradicting what the officer recorded.
- Waiting for records and missing the 90-day deadline.
- Mixing up the seizure review and the NEXUS review.
- Not mentioning years of clean crossings.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get NEXUS back after undeclared goods?
Sometimes. A CBSA review that explains what happened and shows your compliance history is the usual route.
Does paying the penalty mean I admitted fault?
It doesn’t stop you from asking for a NEXUS review.
How long is the review?
CBSA doesn’t publish a fixed time. The decision comes by registered letter.
Will this affect my immigration status?
Usually not, but get advice if you aren’t a citizen or if criminal charges were laid. See being refused entry at the border.
What should I do right now?
Write down what happened while it’s fresh, gather receipts and your notice, and file the CBSA review within 90 days.
Book a consultation with our immigration lawyers in Surrey, Abbotsford or Vancouver, or online from anywhere.
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Sources (official)
This article is general information, not legal advice. Every case depends on its own facts.