On May 10, 2019, the Canada Border Services Agency (“CBSA”) posted Customs Notice 19-08 “Final Safeguard Measures on the Importation of Certain Steel Goods”.  Effective May 13, 2019, Canada will impose definitive safeguard duties on Heavy Plate and Stainless Steel Wire for a period of 3 years. Canada is imposing tariff rate quotas

At midnight, the United States increased tariff rates on many goods from China from 10% to 25% (referred to as the “U.S. Trump Tariffs”).  The U.S. Trump Tariffs are a form of customs duty that is payable by the importer and is passed on to U.S. consumers.

As a result of the new higher U.S.

Canada

This is a common problem – too common.  The people in the company responsible for customs and trade compliance do not work closely with the computer programmers as software is being developed — and mistakes are made.  The computer programmer does his or her job in preparing the code, but does not have any

Canada

On December 22, 2017, President Trump signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Trump Tax Act”).  The Trump Tax Act materially changes U.S. corporate tax laws and incentivizes U.S. companies with overseas operations to either return home to the United States and/or repatriate money home to the United States.

As companies are attempting

Many U.S. and foreign companies that sell goods on Internet-based retail platforms (both in-house platforms and Amazon-type platforms) should ask more questions as they access Canada’s consumer market.  Often, the first question asked by the foreign company is how to access the Canadian market (as they see dollar signs).  After they foreign company figures out

The Canadian International Trade Tribunal (also known as the “CITT”) is an independent, Canadian quasi-judicial administrative tribunal that adjudicates a variety of international trade cases and matters. The CITT is the place to go to receive a fair, timely, transparent and effective resolution of a trade-related dispute and/or government-mandated inquiry/dispute, provided that the trade-related dispute

In July, 2017, the Canada Border Services Agency (“CBSA”) released “Tariff Compliance Verifications – July 2017”.  What are “Tariff Compliance Verifications”? Tariff compliance verifications are CBSA customs audits during which the CBSA ensures that importers are using the proper tariff classification (HS Code) numbers when completing import documentation. If you are making mistakes, the

We help a lot of Canadian citizens and Canadian residents who get their NEXUS Cards revoked, confiscated or cancelled by the Canada Border Services Agency (“CBSA”).  One issue that comes up time and time again is under-declaration because the traveler did not have all of their receipts printed and organized for primary inspection. While there

Canada

Canada does not have a single customs duty or tariff rate for all imports. Over the years, Canada has entered into a number of free trade agreements.  A tariff rate code is assigned for every free trade agreement partner because tariff elimination commitments and tariff reduction schedules cause applicable tariff rates to be different

Canada US SignsLast week, I was informed by four different U.S. non-resident importers (or their representatives) that the non-resident companies were frustrated in their dealings with the Canada Border Services Agency (“CBSA”) – to the point that they may cease selling to Canadian customers.  While some of the complaints were more connected with customs brokers, many of