Wooden Cabinet 25% Surtax: What Canadian Importers Need to Know The Government of Canada has introduced a provisional 25% surtax on certain wood cabinet, vanity, and related subassembly imports. For Canadian importers, retailers, contractors, builders, distributors, and manufacturers that source finished or unfinished cabinetry from abroad, this measure may
Warehousing Across Canada: Why the Right Storage Partner Matters In today’s fast-moving supply chain environment, warehousing is no longer simply about storing products. It has become a critical component of inventory management, order fulfillment, customer service, and overall business growth. Whether you are an importer, manufacturer, retailer, or e-commerce company,
Navigating Canadian customs declarations can seem tricky, but avoiding common pitfalls makes the process smoother. In this blog post, we'll explore the most frequently made mistakes that travelers stumble upon. By steering clear of these missteps, you can ensure a hassle-free experience at the border. Let's dive in!
How Orbit Brokers Helps NRI (Non-Resident Importers) Successfully Import into Canada Expanding into the Canadian market is a strategic opportunity for global companies, and the NRI (Non-Resident Importer) program makes it easier than ever to sell goods directly to Canadian customers. However, importing into Canada involves navigating customs regulations,
As the prospect of another Trump presidency looms, many are left wondering how it might impact trade relations between Canada and the United States. With his previous administration’s policies still fresh in our minds, understanding the potential ramifications is crucial for both countries. This blog delves into what that scenario
An Overview of International Trade When two countries, like Canada and India, exchange goods and services, it’s called international trade. This kind of trade helps both countries grow their economies by accessing a wider market. Here are some key points about international trade: Benefits: It allows countries to specialize in
Understanding Canadian import regulations When exporting goods to Canada, it’s essential to understand Canadian import regulations. Here are some key points to keep in mind: Import regulations in Canada are in place to ensure the safety of imported goods and to protect consumers. Items being imported into Canada may be
BC Longshore Workers Strike The International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada (ILWU) workers walked off the job on July 1st after giving 72 hours strike notice on June 28th. Talks had been ongoing with the British Columbia Maritimes Employers Association (BCMEA) since February to renew the collective agreement which expired at
Importing Rice into Canada Importers have contacted us with many questions relating to importing rice into Canada, such as what are the license requirements, or what are the taxes? Purchasing food internationally for import into Canada for human consumption can seem like an intimidating venture so here’s some helpful info
How to Calculate the Value of your Goods The Different Methods of Determining Valuation Customs valuation is a significant part of the importation process. It is a procedure that is applied in determining the correct value of goods to be imported. This is the base value which the Canada Border
Canada Bans Imports of Russian Aluminum and Steel Products Effective immediately, Canada is no longer allowing imports of aluminum and steel products that originated in Russia. The US has also announced a 200% tariff on the import of products that contain aluminum from Russia. Both steps were taken in response
Canada Bans Certain Single-Use Plastics Canada has joined a handful a countries around the world that have placed a ban on single use plastics. This means that once the ban in place, certain plastic products will not be allowed to be manufactured, sold, exported, or imported into Canada.There is increasing
Key Players Involved When Importing Into Canada Importing into Canada involves several key players. Knowing how the supply chain works will help you make the right decisions, cut costs, and avoid legal troubles. Even if you’re a seasoned importer, a complete know-how of the parties involved can help you move forward with confidence.
A Guide to Importing Jewellery Into Canada Even if there are many excellent jewellery stores in Canada, it's human nature to wonder whether you might save a little money by crossing the border. Of course, there are times when you can save a lot by importing jewellery into Canada, but it shouldn't be the only
Guide to Choosing the Right Product to Import The goal of any business is to make profits, regardless of what it’s offering. To make bigger profits in the import and export business, you need to make the right decisions from the beginning. This begins by choosing the right product to
Protection against Counterfeit Goods Imports How the CBSA can protect you from Counterfeit Good Imports Counterfeiting has become a significant problem for brands and businesses. Counterfeit products not only compromise the reputation of affected brands but also pose health and safety risks to consumers. There is also the the economic
Importing Goods into Canada Importing products into Canada is almost a requirement to compete in today's global economy. While free trade agreements have simplified the procedure significantly in recent years, they have not eliminated the requirement to adhere to specific regulations. After reading this blog post, you’ll be able to more comfortably import goods
When Do You Need A Customs Broker? Customs Brokers can help you navigate the complicated world of importing into Canada. They work with you to ensure that your shipments are cleared quickly and efficiently. But, exactly when do you need a customs brokerIn this post we'll review 5 situations in which
Top Reasons for Delays with CFIA Regulated Goods The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) govern the export and imports of food and agricultural products in Canada. They are responsible for ensuring exporters and importers meet the regulations that have been set on these types of goods.
How to get a better price when importing goods into Canada Canada imported goods worth a record $631 billion in 2021, up 12.2% from 2020, but 2.7% higher than in 2019. In 2020 Canada ranked 11th top importer in with world, in terms of total USD value of imports. To
How to Avoid Hidden Costs in Overseas Freight Shipping? There’s no doubt that shipping costs are one of the major costs buckets when considering product pricing. Experts estimates shipping costs to comprise upwards of 15% to 20% of the total net sales. Even if a business produces the goods locally
7 Things Customs Agents Wish You Knew Before You Travel To Canada Are you planning a trip to Canada soon? Whether you are just visiting someone in Canada or if you are planning to move to Canada for studies or immigration. You need to be aware of what you can
How to Choose a Customs Broker When it comes to shipping your goods, you want to make sure that you are working with the best possible customs broker. While a quick search online will most likely give you a list of Customs Brokers you would work with to get your
Things Everyone Who Orders Online From Canada Should Know About Customs And Shipping Purchasing goods from stores outside Canada always seems extremely attractive, especially during the peak shopping dates like Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Boxing Day. Offers made on these dates offer discounts on latest products and fashion that
10 Tips for moving and importing your belongings to Canada Moving to Canada is a big deal. It’s a life changing decision and one of the biggest undertakings you'll ever go through in your lifetime. Every year Canada welcomes thousands of immigrants into the country, a total of 401,000 new
Trade Tensions Bubbling Between Canada and the US US President Joe Biden's proposed tax incentive on the purchase of electric vehicles has changed Canada’s relief over the defeat of former US President Donald Trump to disbelief. The Canadian government has issued notice to the United States that should this proposal
Upcoming Changes to HS Codes The World Customs Organization issues changes to the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (HS) every 5 years, with the last update occurring in 2017. The 2022 change to the HS will affect over 900 codes and will require updates by the 200 countries that
Pre-Arrival Review System (PARS) The Pre-Arrival Review System (PARS) in Canada allows Customs Brokers to submit shipment release information to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) before the arrival of goods at destination. This process speeds up the release or referral for examination process when the goods arrive. The system
Supply Chain Bottlenecks Supply chain bottlenecks are currently causing major issues across the globe. Slow movement of goods is resulting in costly delays and empty shelves for retailers. These delays are acting as a drag on the global economy at a time when the world is trying to recover from
Driving Across the Canada/US Border As Canadian Customs Brokers, Orbit Brokers helps importers bring goods into Canada. Recently we have been getting many questions regarding people crossing the Canada/US border. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused disruptions and closures at the border. These closures have had a dramatic effect on travel
Canada Border Services Agency Strike On July 26, 2021, the Public Service Alliance of Canada - Customs and Immigration Union (PSAC-CIU) announced that its members have voted in favour of strike action. This follows after contract talks with the Canadian government broke down late in 2020. The plan is for
Enrolling in CARM CARM Release 1 has arrived, which means that the CARM Client Portal has opened and enrolling in CARM is now possible. CARM stands for the CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management Project. It is a part of a multi-year initiative by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to
Canada’s Tariff Rate Quota System Importing is an opportunity to bring new products to the local market and its consumers. However, foreign goods coming into a country can also be a threat to domestic industries. As such, a government may implement specific protection policies to regulate imports and improve domestic
What are Importer Security Bonds? There are many industries in Canada that rely on the shipment of merchandise to or from other countries. The success of such companies is highly reliant on the import process. Importer security bonds are a great choice when it comes to facilitating this process. Just
Joe Biden and Trade with Canada The United States and Canada have shared solid political ties for a very long time. This has promoted the creation of a strong trade relationship between the two countries, especially in the agri-food sector. However, under various regimes, this relationship has been exposed to
Importing Cats into Canada Imports of pet cats into Canada has been on the rise recently. With more people working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, owning a pet is appealing. Choosing to import a cat into Canada can be a big decision to make. It is important to
Importing Goods into Canada for Valentine's Day Its easy to notice that Valentine’s Day is approaching when you see red hearts all over tv commercials and storefronts. Gifts like jewellery, stuffed animals, and chocolates are among the many items that are very popular purchases this time of year. Imports of
Investigation into Imports of Sofas The CITT has issued notice that they are initiating an inquiry into whether there is evidence of dumping and subsidizing of imported upholstered seating. This inquiry is aimed specifically at seating manufactured in China or Vietnam. Let’s take a look at what this means. What
Importing Goods For Personal Use If you are looking to purchase goods from outside of Canada for your own personal use, then this blog should be of assistance to you! Personal imports, also known as casual imports, is when goods are brought into Canada for non business/commercial purposes. There are
Obtaining the SFC License The Safe Food for Canadians Regulations have been in force since January 15, 2019. Some requirements came into effect immediately and some were phased in over 2020 and 2021. As of July 15, 2020, it is now required to have a Safe Food for Canadians License
Importing a Dog into Canada The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada continue to restrict certain activities and freedoms. As a direct result of this, we are seeing imports of things that help people deal with spending more time inside. Products like exercise equipment and board games are very
Trump Abandons Latest Tariff Threat On August 6, US President Donald Trump announced a plan to apply 10 percent tariffs on Canadian aluminum imports using national security as the justification. The President had previously issued the tariffs on Canada in March of 2018 as a negotiating tactic for the new
Changes to Courier Shipments under CUSMA With CUSMA now fully in force and NAFTA in the past, big changes have been made to low value shipments coming to Canada from the US or Mexico by courier. These shipments are known as CLVS (Courier Low Value Shipments). Let’s take a look
Importing Brewery Equipment into Canada Beer has always been a popular pastime of Canadians. The past couple of years has seen a massive increase in popularity of the craft breweries, or microbreweries as they are also known. There has been a corresponding rise in the rise in imports of beer
Proof of Origin for CUSMA Shipments CUSMA, USMCA, NAFTA 2.0, T-MEC; the new trade agreement between Canada, Mexico and the United States of America has many names. Regardless of what you call it, the agreement will come into force more than 3 years after the US trade representative issued notice
Classification of Medical Supplies As the world continues to deal with the Coronavirus pandemic, CBSA has released a notice on classification of medical supplies that are being imported into Canada to help with the fight against COVID-19. Further to our previous blog on importing masks and sanitizers, the below list
Importing Masks and Sanitizers into Canada Importing Masks and Sanitizers into Canada As the Coronavirus continues to spread across the globe, it is not surprising that we have been receiving many inquiries on the requirements to import masks and hand sanitizers from China into Canada. In this blog post we
Will The Coronavirus Affect My Shipments? We've been receiving many calls recently about the effect of the Coronavirus, (or COVID-19 as this strain is being referred to) on international shipments. The virus is spreading around the globe and has wreaked havoc on supply chains, from production to transportation. Currently we
CARM – An Introduction CARM is an acronym for CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management and is a multi-year initiative that will transform and modernize the payment process for remittance of duties and taxes to Canada Revenue Agency. As one of the largest collectors of revenue for the government of Canada,
What Does a Customs Broker Do? Before deciding if you need a Customs Broker, it is important to understand what Orbit Brokers can do for you or your company. Orbit Brokers can help clients by providing solutions to any aspect of the supply chain while assisting importers in clearing goods
Documentation for Air Shipments Importing air shipments into Canada is the fastest way to bring goods from overseas. Compared to shipping by ocean, the freight cost is higher. It makes sense to ship by air if the goods are time sensitive. With air shipments, the storage charges start quickly (compared
Brexit and Canadian Trade Brexit refers to the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (EU). It is a play on words, combining Britain and Exit. This means that after leaving the trading bloc, the United Kingdom will no longer benefit from membership in the EU. Once that
Bonded Cargo As Canadian Customs Brokers, we’ve cleared some shipments through Canada Customs recently that brought to light what exactly bonded cargo is and what effect it can have on the taxes you pay on imported goods. Consider your return from a vacation outside of Canada. You disembark from the
Classification of Backpacks How to Properly Classify Backpacks The CBSA has issued notice that they have updated the D Memorandum in regards to the classification of suitcases, travelling bags and backpacks. With the kids starting school after summer vacation and back to school shopping in full force, it makes sense to
How America’s President can Trump Canadian Small Businesses With the massive expansion of E-commerce in recent years, the growth in shipping of small packages internationally has been immense. Did you know that the freight rates for these packages are not only set by a country’s postal union (in Canada’s case
What is SFCR? Safe Food for Canadians Regulations The Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR) came into force on January 15, 2019. Since that date, there is a requirement for a SFC licence to conduct certain food business activities. Its vital to understand these new regulations, especially for importers in
Personal Travel Exemptions When traveling outside of Canada, there are limits as to how much you can bring back duty free into the country. There is a misconception that these limits are how much you can bring back. Its actually the amount you can bring without paying tax. Anything above
Importing Beef Products into Canada from the US With BBQ season right around the corner, let's take a look at the documentation requirements to import beef products into Canada from the US. Keep in mind that these are general guidelines for commercial importations. Please contact our office for specific information.
What you Should Know: AMPS In 2017, the Auditor General of Canada criticized the Canada Border Service Agency’s Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS) for being too low to encourage trade compliance. As a result, a number of penalties have increased as of April 1st, 2019. This is a good opportunity
What is a Steamship Release? The Customs release of your shipment is only one of the many steps in the supply chain. Another important step to obtaining your goods shipped internationally by ocean freight is the steamship release. The steamship release occurs when the terms of the bill of lading
How to Avoid Demurrage, Detention, and Storage Demurrage, detention, and storage are 3 words that the team at Orbit Brokers hate to hear. These terms mean additional charges aside from freight, duties and taxes and are usually avoidable.They are all different and it is important to know what each is
Canada’s Newest Trade Agreement – CPTPP The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) came into force in Canada on December 30, 2018 after years of negotiations. The CPTPP rose from the ashes of the failed TPP negotiations that collapsed after the withdrawal of the United States of America.
What is a B3? What is a B3 Coding Form? Importing commercial goods into Canada requires documentation and accounting for duties and taxes. The B3-3, or more commonly known as the B3, is a Canada Customs Coding Form that the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) uses for this purpose. When
The Importance of Proper Textile Labelling When importing textile goods into Canada, it is vital to pay close attention to the labelling. The requirements for proper labelling are detailed in the Textile Labelling Act . The Act is in place to protect consumers from false labelling/advertising of textile fiber products. Importers that
5 Things You Should Know about USMCA With Canada finally joining an agreement in place between the United States of America and Mexico, NAFTA has been replaced by USMCA. For the most part the 2 agreements are very similar, however there are some important differences of note that require further
The Benefits of NAFTA In light of the ongoing NAFTA renegotiation between Canada, the US and Mexico, it is important to look at what the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is, how it came to be, and what benefits it serves. History of NAFTA The North American Free Trade
Why Your Goods Are Being Examined For most, importing into Canada is a seamless process. Whenever goods are brought across international borders, however, there’s always a possibility that they might be held for Customs examination before being released. The Customs Act, entitles the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to do
Importing Fresh Fruits and Vegetables into Canada With the Safe Food for Canadians Act coming into effect on January 15, 2019, it would be pertinent to take a look at how this will affect importers of fresh fruits and vegetables into Canada.Canada is recognized as having one of the stronger
Trade War Trade War The term trade war has been thrown around a lot recently. With US President Donald Trump enacting tariffs against steel imported from around the world and with Canada reacting with tariffs of their own, its safe to say that Canada and the US are currently embroiled
What To Expect from the NAFTA Negotiations CBSA Compliance Audits The second blog in this series deals with the customs audit process. The first step occurs when CBSA notifies importers in writing directly via mail. The letter informs the importer that an audit is being done and the product(s) that
CBSA Compliance Audits Part 1 How to Avoid Running into Issues During a CBSA Compliance Audit Some people never experience an audit, while others can feel as though they’re being unfairly and disproportionately picked on by customs. Whilst random audits do take place, certain imports are frequently misclassified and therefore
What are Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties? The Purpose of Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties Anti-dumping and countervailing duties have been hot topics in the news recently with the US President instituting additional duties on imports of steel. Canada's own version of these duties are administered under the Special Import Measures Act
What is the duty on… “What is the duty rate on (insert item here)” is the most common question we get asked, right after “Hi, how are you?” The duty rate can affect the cost of the goods you import and helps determine if it makes sense financially to import
What You Should Know: How CETA and the CPTPP Affect You Over the past few years, the Canadian government has been exploring dramatic changes to the way the country conducts trade. These changes come in the form of CETA and the CPTPP (formerly known as the TPP), two international trade
Getting Your Personal Shipments To Canada It’s a well-known fact that shipping requirements are notoriously fraught with complexities. In certain respects, this is just as true of personal shipments as it is of commercial shipments. So if you’re looking to ship your personal goods from across the border, it’s well
5 Simple Steps to Avoid Costly Mistakes When Importing into Canada If you’ve ever imported a product into Canada, your experience may have gone one of two ways: first, you filled out the customs paperwork with no issues and your shipment cleared problem-free. Or, you filled the paperwork out with
Importing Into Canada During the Holidays As the holiday season approaches, many businesses are preparing to stock their shelves for a burst of shoppers in the coming weeks. But what does that mean for businesses that rely on selling imported products? Importing products now means you’ll experience less stress and
What Does CETA Mean for Canadian Businesses? On September 21st, the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) came into effect between Canada and the 28 members of the European Union. This trade deal is the largest since NAFTA, and its influence will span a wide range of industries
What To Expect from the NAFTA Negotiations The negotiations for the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) have commenced, with an extravagant dinner for cabinet members of all three nations followed by a seven round match. The U.S. is the first to host the three nations in Washington D.C. In
Importing Liquor into Ontario In 2012, a Canadian man by the name of Gerard Comeau was fined $292.50 after he imported 14 cases of beer and three bottles of liquor from a neighbouring Quebec town into his home province of New Brunswick. But why? For those of us who have
Stronger Together: Canada and Mexico’s Role in NAFTA Negotiations “It is very clear that Canada and Mexico are in this together”, says Agustin Barrios Gomez, former Mexican congressman. The countdown to the official NAFTA negotiations has begun, and talks are set to begin August 2017. With the Trump administration taking
eManifest: Changing The Face of Importing in Canada eManifest is the latest buzzword in the trade and customs industry, and it has brought rise to some questions: what exactly is eManifest, and how does it affect the importation process? eManifest is the latest in a series of measures from Canada
The Donald and How He Could Trumpify Your Trade Anyone who has imported into Canada knows just how complicated the Canadian customs process can be. Attempting to navigate through the rules and regulations without prior knowledge is a next to impossible task. Though the process may seem straightforward, one missed
It’s All in the Details for Commercial Shipments Customs clearance can be complex, especially if you’re not used to the process. With so many rules, regulations and restrictions in place, it can be difficult knowing what exactly is required when it comes to shipping your commercial products. Getting together the
A Canadian Approach To Protectionism: SIMA And What It Can Do For You The time has finally come. After much debate about how the first in-person meeting between Prime Minister Trudeau and his U.S. counterpart President Trump would go, we finally have a glimpse into the new dynamic relationship that
Trader or Traitor: The Importance of International Free Trade to Canada and the World With Canada’s largest trading partner just a day away from a new administration, the importance of having a solid negotiation team, especially in the midst of talks involving tearing up NAFTA, is imperative to the success
Why You Should Hire a Canadian Customs Broker With Donald Trump poised to assume what’s known as the “Most Powerful Position in the World”, many are wondering, “What next?” In over 25 years as a customs brokerage firm, we’ve never witnessed such an about-face politician in terms of their policies
CBSA, CFIA and Importing Food When it comes to importing food into Canada, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) play vital roles in the supply chain. The CBSA is responsible for the initial import inspection of food and agricultural products and enforcing the
The Benefits of a CSCB Membership When it comes to finding a reliable Canadian customs broker, there are hundreds of different outfits to choose between, and often not much apparently separating one broker’s offering from the next. Without previous experience to go by, or a trusted referral, making a decision
What is a Canadian Customs Broker? Try to recall the last time you were lining up at customs. No doubt there were various forms and declarations involved, which may have taken some time to complete, that were even a little bit head-scratching. When shipments of goods are cleared through customs, the
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