Important changes to the Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS)
On April 1, 2019, increased penalty fees for 22 of the 152 AMPS contraventions were announced. Why? The Auditor General of Canada criticized the CBSA’s penalties for being too low to improve compliance with trade programs. The new stiffer fines are intended to keep commercial clients walking the straight and narrow.
Cole’s Guide to the New Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR)
The Government of Canada released its new Safe Food for Canadians Act and Regulations on January 15, 2019. Consolidating 14 sets of food regulations into one, the updates aim to overcome risks and challenges related to the speed, volume and complexity of current food production. Some requirements (such as licensing).
Customs Rulings and how they work!
There's a lot to know about moving goods across the border. The customs landscape—riddled with complex processes and mired in legalese and industry lingo—can be perplexing and frustrating. Nevertheless, importers need to do it right—by knowing their roles and responsibilities and, sometimes, by seeking professional.
Becoming a Non-Resident Importer (NRI): Is it time?
Becoming a non-resident importer—or NRI—is something you may want to consider if you or your company reside outside of Canada but want to enjoy the same ease at the border as Canadian importers do.
Blockchain, Distributed Ledgers and Data – Oh My!
Technology is king. More and more aspects of our lives are going digital and online. Not surprisingly, the shipping industry is being swept up in the tech wave, too. Have you heard of blockchain? It’s starting to catch on among shipping companies as a way to encrypt, store and transmit data.
Tariff Rate Quotas and Steel Goods
As savvy importers – and current-affairs watchers – know, taxes, tariffs and retaliatory actions are adding significant costs to the import of many products. Not long ago, we ran a blog on steel and aluminum tariffs, so head there for a bit of history. Given the significant cost new U.S. tariffs are adding to steel.
U.S. Steel and Aluminum Surtax
As many Canadian importers know, Canada applies a surtax to many goods of U.S. origin that were previously duty-free, including steel and aluminum. This was done as a countermeasure to the U.S. adding tariffs on many Canadian products in 2018.
CBSA’s latest Targeted Verification Priorities is out. Are your goods on the list?
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) targets specific industries and products for extra attention at the border to ensure importers are compliant with requirements for tariff classification, product valuation and country of origin.
GST Direct Payment for Importers - Reduce Your Burden
As a commercial importer, you know all about your obligations to pay GST on the goods you bring into the country.
Maintaining Your Records
Compliance Customs compliance is an essential part of every import business. Being compliant means being aware of – and abiding by – the laws and policies regulating imports and exports. Savvy importers adopt comprehensive company-wide compliance practices and keep on top of regulatory changes to adapt as necessary.
