One of the many roles of the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency is to control the import into Canada of material considered to be treasonable, seditious or obscene — especially hate propaganda or child pornography, as defined in the Criminal Code.

If material such as hate propaganda, obscenity and child pornography are imported into Canada, they can be detained and/or seized by Canada Customs — which must advise the importer in writing that the material has been examined, and that importation is prohibited. The importer then has a right to appeal the decision: first to a senior Customs officer, and then to the applicable Deputy Minister.

Every three months, Canada Customs and Revenue prints a list of the materials prohibited by the Importation Directorate. The list includes a number of publications, magazines, computer diskettes, and audio- and videotapes that are prohibited based on their classification such as hate propaganda, obscenity, and child pornography.

Any person may alert customs officials or police of prohibited material being imported to Canada.

Full Text: Customs Tariffs