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

If you plan to start importing coffee into Canada, you must already know that coffee is the most consumed beverage amongst Canadians above 16 – even more than tap water. The coffee importing business is also the center of a very important market globally, estimated at around US$20 billion. The income generated by growing beans supports 25 million farmers around the world. Moreover, the last decade saw the rise of legions of aficionados interest...

In Canada, wood imports are regulated by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). Any wooden products going in and out of Canada will be inspected and reviewed by the Canadian Border Patrol. So if you’re interested in importing wood into Canada, you’ll need to know some of the basics to make sure your efforts go off without a hitch. Bringing wood into Canada Canadians are free to import many wood products for personal and commercial use....

You may have considered importing, only to ask yourself “why should I?”. It’s a very reasonable question, especially when you’re used to purchasing things available at a local supplier. However, you should always be looking for ways to better your operations and sometimes that means going outside of the box and seeing what’s available beyond your local supplier. We’ve got a list of three compelling reasons to help you decide if import...

Alcohol prices in Canada are notoriously high—sometimes double what you’d pay in the U.S., even if that case of 24 cans of Molson Dry is being sold in the province where it’s brewed. So, whether you’re coming from abroad for a vacation, taking a trip to some international destination, or just popping down to the U.S. for a quick shopping trip (because who hasn’t taken a day trip to Plattsburgh to hit up Price Chopper?), it’s tempting ...

Importing and exporting goods is rarely as simple as putting a stamp and a destination on your package. There are rules and regulations that all Canadians must adhere to when shipping items over the border, and the AMPS penalties are what the CBSA uses to penalize those who don’t. The practice of following these rules is usually referred to as customs compliance. If you’re a regular importer or exporter, customs compliance practices are vital...

Over the last couple of years, vaping has become a household term. Like alcohol and tobacco, vape products have health risks associated with them and are meant to be enjoyed responsibly. These products are a hot topic in the news, especially with their controversial popularity amongst underage Canadians. Still, vape products can be legally used by adults and many people wonder if they’re allowed to leave or enter the country with them. If you h...

On October 27, 2018, the Trudeau government legalized cannabis (commonly known as marijuana) in all of Canada. The Cannabis Act was officially put into effect after several years of discussion on debate. Whether you’re interested in the recreational use of cannabis or not, it could be helpful to understand the rules about traveling with cannabis in Canada.  While laws and issues continue to be straightened out, the reception to cannabis in ...

What is the single window initiative? The Single Window Initiative (SWI) is a recent implementation by the CBSA intended to modernize import processing. It offers a better alignment of the Canadian and U.S. importing processes and allows importers to provide all required import information electronically. All the required data will be shared between Participating Government Agencies (PGAs), the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA), and the Gov...

Many people have never heard of the Canada Customs duty refund program, or Casual Refund Program, but it could really pay off to know how to claim duty back. Many Canadians go over the US border for an occasional day of shopping. Even more commonly, they shop online and order products from outside of Canada. If you do too, you might be missing out on some cash from the Canada Customs duty refund program. By the end of 2019, Canadians are expec...

Have you ever wondered “What does a customs broker do?” Or maybe “Do I need a customs broker?” To some, paying customs broker fees might seem like an unnecessary cost. But once you understand exactly when a customs broker is useful and what they can do for you, you’ll be able to recognize the ways a customs broker could save you money on your future shipments.  What Does a Customs Broker Do? Much like how a lawyer represents clie...