Field notes from the Canadian border.
Practical playbooks and case studies from our brokers. No thought-leadership fluff — just the stuff we wish every importer knew before they called us in a panic.
Reefer Freight Heat Spikes and Your CBSA Release Schedule
Summer heat waves push reefer spot rates and tender rejections up, which matters for Canadian importers filing CADs on perishables. Capacity crunches delay border arrivals, compress exam windows, and force last-minute carrier swaps that trigger PARS amendments and release-hold cascades.
Read article →What the 2025 CSCB Student Award Results Tell You About Who's Filing Your CADs
The CSCB just named its 2025 CCS and CTCS award winners. Behind the congratulations sits a question worth asking: does your current broker staff hold those designations, and does it matter when things go sideways?
Read article →Broker Liability in Canada: What Customs Brokers Can and Cannot Be Held Responsible For
A Florida lawsuit dismissing C.H. Robinson highlights how deep-pocket targeting plays out south of the border. In Canada, CBSA and CRA liability rules are different—customs brokers answer for filing accuracy and representation, not carrier negligence or commercial disputes. Here's what importer liability looks like under CARM and how to protect your bond.
Read article →CBSA EDI and eManifest downtime schedule for 2026: what breaks, what doesn't, and when to file early
CBSA published its 2026 scheduled maintenance calendar for EDI, eManifest, and CERS portals. Most are early Saturday mornings. Here's which filing windows close, which contingencies work, and when you need paper backups ready.
Read article →CBSA Tsawwassen opium seizure: what it means for your exam risk profile and the CBSA intelligence-referral queue
A 520-kg opium seizure at Tsawwassen shows how intelligence-led targeting works upstream of your release. If you're filing paper or packaging goods ex-China, exam rates just went up for everyone in that commodity block.
Read article →CFIA Tightens Infant Formula Controls: HS 1901.10 and 2106.90 Import Condition Changes June 2026
CFIA published modified import conditions for milk-based infant formula under HS 1901.10.71 and 2106.90.7246, effective June 24, 2026. Commercial packing status now drives separate entry requirements. Brokers filing CADs need updated AIRS queries and correct miscellaneous codes to avoid release holds.
Read article →East Asia-Australia Rate Surge and What It Means for Canadian Importers Routing Through Sydney or Melbourne
Ocean capacity shifts to East Asia-Australia trades are tightening box availability on trans-Pacific lanes, pushing up freight costs and raising questions around CUSMA origin compliance for goods routed through third-country ports. Here's what Canadian importers filing CADs under CARM need to watch.
Read article →Furniture imports to Canada face a new onshoring pressure test
U.S. furniture brands are pulling production out of China. For Canadian importers buying from those same Asian suppliers, the question becomes whether your origin declarations, duty drawback eligibility, and CUSMA compliance stack holds up when the landed-cost math tilts away from offshore container loads.
Read article →GIP No. 83 Amendment: What Changed for Aluminum Imports and What You File Now
CBSA Customs Notice 26-15 amends General Import Permit No. 83 for aluminum products on the Import Control List. Here's what changed, which HS lines need the GIP declaration, and how to avoid a release hold at first presentation.
Read article →Transport Canada's Digital Trade Consultation: What Canadian Importers Should Actually Care About
Transport Canada and Global Affairs Canada are seeking comment on a digital-trade strategy by July 10. Most of the framework is already in motion through CARM and eManifest. Here's where the remaining paper still causes problems and what's worth flagging in your response.
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