Shipping container inspections got you down?
Inspections at marine ports of entry can cause major headaches for importers. They are supposed to be quick and efficient… weed out the bad apples and let the rest get on with business, right? So why were your goods stalled for so long – at great expense to you?
Importing wooden articles into Canada
If you’re a regular reader of our blog, you might remember an earlier entry on importing wood items into Canada. This one seemed to strike a chord, so we’re reposting some of the key information. If you’re one of many with lingering uncertainty about the requirements around importing wood items, read on.
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.
Certificates of Origin
A certificate of origin is a legal document that certifies a product’s country of origin. Certificates of origin (COs) are needed to assess the correct duty and to qualify imported products for reduced duty under free trade agreements (FTAs).
General Average – Are you covered?
When you ship by sea, cargo insurance is a must. Even if your shipment seems indestructible… isn’t travelling far… or isn’t very valuable, insuring oceangoing goods is always recommended. Without insurance, you could be on the hook for a significant charge if a General Average is declared.
EDI: Electronic Data Interchange
EDI (electronic data interchange) is the electronic exchange of business data in a standardized format between trading partners and with customs agencies. It replaces paper-based document exchanges of the past and offers the benefits of lower costs, increased transaction speed, improved accuracy, and smoother.
Importing a Vehicle from the U.S. into Canada
But what’s involved in importing, and how do you know for sure whether the car you’re considering will be allowed across the border? Will that “great deal” still be as good once you factor in all the duties, taxes and other fees to get it here?
Duty relief: Don’t miss a chance to save
What is duty? Duty is a tax paid to the customs authority of the country into which goods are being imported. The amount of duty is usually calculated based on the value of the goods – but can also vary depending on other factors such as quotas, timing, quantity and country of origin.
SWI – the Single Window Initiative Update
The Single Window Initiative (SWI) is a federal government process for collecting information on imports into Canada. Rather than submitting information individually to different government agencies, as in the past, the single window initiative allows importers to provide all required information on imported goods in.
