August 2016

globe and calculatorOne of the most common mistakes we see taxpayers make during a Canada Revenue Agency (“CRA”) audit is that they do not record what documents were requested by the auditor, what documents were provided to the auditor, and when those documents were provided to the auditor.  What is common is that documents are requested by

nexussmOn July 19, 2016, the Canada Border Services Agency (“CBSA”) issued a Notice to NEXUS Member (sent by email) in which indicated that they were consulting on proposed changes and clarifications to the NEXUS Regulations.  Hidden in the Notice is some useful information about new bases for confiscation of NEXUS passes.  New NEXUS Program rules

Customs StopCanada has entered into free trade agreements (and has active free trade agreements) with a number of countries, including the United States, Mexico, Israel, Chile, Jordan, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Lichtenstein, Peru, Colombia, Panama, Honduras, Costa Rica and South Korea.  Under these free trade agreements, the duties on certain goods have reduced to 0%.  Importers claim

Canada CustomsOn August 26, 2016, the Canada Border Services Agency (“CBSA”) issued a News Release entitled “Rocket launcher and grenades seized in Southern Ontario Region“.  Apparently, in July, two men from Louisiana attempted to cross at the Peace Bridge with an undeclared disposable rocket launcher tube and two undeclared grenades. Eventually, the devices were

Gypsum BoardMany homeowners and contractors in Western Canada will soon be asking “Why do I have to pay antidumping duties on imports of gypsum board or drywall?” This is because there is an antidumping case in Canada on gypsum board imported from the United States into Western provinces.

Starting on September 6, 2016, imports of drywall/gypsum

Many-QuestionsAfter the CBSA initiates a countervailing duty investigation, the CBSA issues an exporter request for information (RFI) that must be completed by the exporter of the goods and all factories involved in the manufacture of the goods (if the exporter is not the manufacturer).  The CBSA sets a filing deadline that is between 30-35 days

CITT RoomOn June 10, 2016, the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (“CITT”) issued a Practice Notice entitled “Filing of Questionnaire Replies and Revisions and Issuance of Revised Investigation Report”.  In antidumping and countervailing duty injury inquiries, the CITT issues questionnaires to producers, importers, foreign producers and purchasers.  The CITT compiles the information and data provided by

Globe with financial papersOn August 19, 2016, the Canada Border Services Agency announced an antidumping investigation against concrete reinforcing bar (also known as rebar) from Republic of Belarus, Chinese Taipei, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, Japan, the Portuguese Republic and the Kingdom of Spain.  In 2014, provisional antidumping duties were imposed

Originally Published by the Journal of Commerce in August 2016

In the face of its recent reorganization and enhanced computer system, it was really only a matter of time before the trade community started to see Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) better organize its enforcement efforts, and now the first tangible step has been publicly

Canada

Olympic MedalsCanadian Olympians returning home from the Rio Olympics (or any athletic competition for that matter) do not have to pay customs duties and goods and services tax (“GST”) on their medals.  No customs duties are payable under Harmonized System (H.S.) Code 98.17, which covers “medals, trophies and other articles (not including usual merchantable products