Some of the gold coins seized at a border crossing south of Vancouver. (RCMP)

A man who tried to enter B.C. from the United States with about $1 million worth of gold coins and cash may face criminal charges, Canadian border officials say.

The man — whose name has not been released — tried to enter the country through the Peace Arch crossing in Surrey, B.C., on Oct. 6. The Canada Border Services Agency said the Canadian gold coins found were in a chest in a duffel bag.

It's a crime to carry more than $10,000 in undeclared funds into Canada, and investigators say charges could be laid under the Proceeds of Crime and Terrorist Financing Act.

"[We are] continuing our investigation into the funds themselves, the source of the funds and their intended use," RCMP Insp. Paul Richards of the Integrated National Security Enforcement Team told CBC News on Friday.

Border officials said the alleged smuggler is a foreign national but would not say which country he is from. He remains in custody.

The Peace Arch crossing is about 40 kilometres south of Vancouver.