Clearit.ca's Blog on Customs Brokerage and News Updates

What is CARM?: Regulations & Compliance  The CBSA's new CARM (CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management) project is changing how imports are handled across Canadian borders, making it crucial for businesses to stay ahead. This initiative, which goes into effect in May, 2024, introduces a mandatory Canadian Customs Import Bond for both resident and non-resident commercial importers, ensuring duties and taxes are efficiently mana...

Importing classic cars into Canada is a growing niche for collectors, dealerships, and automotive enthusiasts. Many buyers source vintage vehicles from the United States, Europe, and Japan to access rare models, better pricing, or historically significant cars. However, importing classic vehicles involves more than arranging transportation. These imports must comply with Canadian customs requirements, valuation rules, and documentation standards....

Importing used vehicles into Canada can be a cost-effective way to source inventory or secure specific models not readily available in the domestic market. However, unlike many standard consumer goods, vehicles are heavily regulated at the border. From safety standards and admissibility rules to duties, taxes, and registration requirements, importers must navigate multiple layers of compliance before a vehicle can legally enter and operate in ...

Advanced manufacturing technologies such as 3D printers, CNC machines, and automated production systems are transforming industries across Canada. Businesses in aerospace, automotive, healthcare, product design, and prototyping increasingly rely on imported manufacturing equipment to remain competitive. However, importing 3D printers and industrial machinery into Canada involves more than simply arranging international shipping. Importers must...

Kitchenware and cookware are among the most commonly imported retail products into Canada. From stainless steel pots and non-stick frying pans to ceramic dinnerware, glass bakeware, and silicone utensils, demand remains steady across e-commerce, wholesale, and brick-and-mortar retail. While these products may seem straightforward, importing kitchenware and cookware into Canada involves tariff classification, material composition rules, valuati...

Renewable energy equipment is becoming a major import category in Canada. From commercial solar farms and wind turbine projects to residential battery storage and EV charging infrastructure, demand is growing across provinces. But importing renewable energy equipment into Canada is not just a logistics exercise. It involves tariff classification, valuation, trade agreement eligibility, regulatory approvals, and documentation accuracy. Many shi...

Packaging materials are often treated as secondary products. However, from a customs perspective, they are standalone imports with distinct classification rules, duty rates, valuation requirements, and regulatory obligations. Whether you’re importing retail packaging, industrial pallets, corrugated boxes, plastic wrapping, labels, or branded containers, packaging materials can trigger customs scrutiny if not declared properly. This guide ...

Tools and hardware are among the most widely imported product categories in Canada. They include everything from precision hand tools and power-driven equipment to fasteners and industrial components. These items are central to manufacturing, construction, retail, and specialty trades. This guide explains everything an importer needs to know: duties and tariffs, classification challenges, and best practices to avoid enforcement issues. Why To...

Jewelry and watches are among the most frequently imported luxury goods into Canada, but they are also some of the most misunderstood from a compliance perspective. Many importers assume these products clear like standard retail items, only to encounter unexpected duties, valuation scrutiny, or CBSA holds. In 2026, enforcement around valuation accuracy, country-of-origin claims, and product classification has intensified. Whether you are launc...

Importing health and wellness supplements into Canada is not like importing regular consumer goods. Vitamins, herbal products, probiotics, sports nutrition, and natural health products (NHPs) are heavily regulated, and even small documentation mistakes can result in CBSA holds, Health Canada refusals, or forced re-exports. In 2025, enforcement is tighter than ever. With increased data sharing between CBSA and Health Canada, shipments that once...

Most importers assume CBSA only reviews shipments when something goes wrong. In reality, CBSA doesn’t wait for mistakes to surface. Each year, it proactively selects specific products, industries, and compliance areas for targeted review. These are known as Trade Verification Priorities, and if your imports fall within them, scrutiny is not optional. With stronger enforcement, deeper data analytics, and the rollout of CARM, trade verifica...