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

Canada has joined the US and 10 other countries in launching the Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity (APEP). Led by the US, APEP is a new framework for cooperation across the Americas aiming to deliver economic growth in the region, generate good middle-class jobs and reduce economic inequality. APEP will focus on inclusive trade, multilateral investment and anti-corruption measures with the goal of strengthening the diversity, sus...

Under the Canada Tariff Elimination Schedule of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), imports into Canada of beef and veal from CPTPP member countries became duty-free as of Jan. 1, 2023. Imports fresh, chilled, or frozen beef and veal from CPTPP member countries (Australia, Brunei, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, New Zealand, Singapore and Vietnam) are eligible to be imported into Canada unde...

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has concluded an expedited review of the following Chinese companies who ship products to Canada that are subject to the Upholstered Domestic Seating case of the Special Import Measures Act (SIMA). Dongguan Advantech Polyurethane Foam Products Co., Ltd. (Dongguan Advantech); Jiashan Foamtech Furniture Ltd. (Jiashan Foamtech) and their related trading company; Fine Home Limited (Fine Home); and by...

The US is expanding its challenge to Canada’s dairy tariff rate quota policies under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Under the USMCA, Canada has the right to maintain 14 tariff rate quotas (TRQs) on the following types of dairy products: milk cream skim milk powder butter and cream powder industrial cheeses cheeses of all types milk powders concentrated or condensed milk yogurt and buttermilk powdered...

The CFIA has updated the import requirements for bringing shipborne dunnage into Canada by marine vessel. The update, titled Directive RMD-20-02, was made to CFIA Directive D-98-08: Entry Requirements for Wood Packaging Material into Canada, which takes effect on July 6, 2023. Shipborne dunnage is a type of wood packaging material (WPM) used in marine vessels to stabilize or brace cargo during ocean transport. Like other types of WPM, dunna...

The Formaldehyde Emissions from Composite Wood Products Regulations (CANFER) that the Government of Canada published back in July, 2022 have finally come into effect. As of Jan. 7, 2023, you may not import or sell composite wood products that release formaldehyde at levels exceeding the regulatory emission levels, and must meet the testing and certification requirements for laminated products. Health Canada has updated its Guidance document...

High inflation has been one of the top stories of 2022, and its impact has been felt around the world. Inflation is a measure of how much things cost. Increases in transportation costs, wages, fees, and raw materials drive up supply chain costs, which in turn drives up the cost of consumer goods. According to insurance company Zurich, many supply chain and logistics professionals believe inflation has negatively affected their business. Imp...

What were the major trends in export controls, trade sanctions, customs compliance, and import requirements in Canada and around the world? Check out the series of videos posted by global law firm Baker McKenzie. The videos were recorded across three days and feature the firm’s top international trade compliance lawyers from around the world discussing the most important topics of 2022. Export Controls Developments (USA, UK, EU, Canada) Watch...

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has (CFIA) updated the Automated Shipment Inspection Status Search Tool (ASSIST) with an enhanced tool called the CFIA Shipment Tracker for Food, Plant and Animal products. This tool will allow importers to check the status of any food, plant or animal import declared electronically in real-time. The CFIA has completed additional testing on the tool since it was first announced in the spring of 2022, includ...

Malaysia is the newest country to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which includes Canada and nine other countries in the Asia-Pacific region. This means that Canadian importers will now benefit from tariff cuts on eligible products imported from Malaysia. (The same applies for Canadian exports to Malaysia.) This is in addition to the existing tariff eliminations between the other Asia-Paci...