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

Importers work in a difficult industry, filled with strict rules and minute details. Amongst a barrage of required paperwork and governmental policies lies a potential problem for business owners in the import industry: human error. If the proper homework isn’t done beforehand, items could be held up by Canada’s Border Services Agency (CBSA). But even with all the severe repercussions that could occur if a document isn’t labelled properl...

It has been a little over a week since U.S. President Donald Trump announced a new free trade agreement with Mexico and Canada. USMCA dominated the news cycle with experts dissecting the deal, and there’s one point that stands out for Canadians. It directly impacts online shoppers in the north -- in a good way! What’s happening? Canadians have always had the benefit of shopping online from foreign countries, but the Canadian duty-free thre...

In late June, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that October 17, 2018, would be the official date in which people in Canada could buy, sell and consume recreational cannabis, ending decades-long prohibition. Trudeau’s benchmark date for official legalization comes off the back of the Cannabis Act, which passed in Senate on June 20, 2018. The act will serve as the official document regulating the amount of cannabis a person can legally ...

Let’s make this clear right away: small businesses need a customs broker just as much as medium to large businesses, if not more so. While larger businesses employ a customs broker to help them save millions on pre-established success, the role of a broker becomes even more important to a small business trying to succeed in an increasingly online and global market. Why? Because the typical small business owner plays many parts. They’re ...

Online shopping has taken hold of consumers across the globe, and things are no different in Canada. According to a study by Forrester, Canada will earn roughly $39 billion in online sales by 2019. This is just the beginning of an increasingly profitable market as more and more companies make their way into the Canadian online market. Numbers for -commerce have continued to rise since 2016. Statista determined that there will be a tremendous i...

The Canadian market is a prosperous place for importers, be it resident or non-resident importers (NRI). There’s room for large profit and lucrative business opportunities, but depending on your residential stature within Canada, you will be subject to a varying degree of duties and taxes. The province your business operates in will also impact how you are taxed, as well as the amount of money you make within one fiscal year. Resident Imp...

Customs brokers are useful assets for any importing business, but how do you know what the perfect time to contact one is? If you’ve never worked with a customs broker before, you may be feeling a little lost about whether or not you really need one. While even the smallest importing businesses will benefit from the expertise of a customs broker, there are three clear signs that you really need to start working with one right away -- and not...

Many Canadians have sat in long lines at the border. Most of us have had to wait for a shipment to finally clear customs before it can be in our hands. Everyone has some sort of story about paperwork slowing down their day. Finding new and ever-evolving ways to make the customs and border crossing process more streamlined is the ongoing goal of any government’s customs agency. The Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) has implemented a numb...

Canadians love imports. Despite being 38th in world population size, we’re the 11th biggest export and import economy in the world — and that’s with taking into account the fact that our imports have shrunk at a rate of around 2% for the last five years. In other words, we’re 0.48% of the world population... and we’re responsible for 2.7% of global imports. Canadians love imports so much that, on average, our yearly imported product ...

Import businesses are challenging and rewarding endeavours. By catering to niche markets with direct-from-the-source goods, you can capitalize on previously untapped consumer dollars for your business. Successful import businesses across Canada specialize in anything from foreign foods and treats to luxury goods and everything in between. Whether you’re a supplier, a retailer, or someone just looking into their options, there are undoubtedly...