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.
How Expanded Canola Processing in Canada Affects Import Flows and Customs Clearance
Cargill's new Regina canola processing facility shifts the import-export balance for oilseed products. Canadian importers handling processed canola inputs, packaging, and re-export scenarios must adapt their customs compliance, HS classification, and CUSMA origin strategies under CARM.
Read article →Middle East Maritime Disruptions and Canadian Import Timelines: What Importers Need to Know
Recent Persian Gulf shipping seizures and Middle East tensions are creating ripple effects for Canadian importers relying on Asia-Europe-North America container routes. This article examines how geopolitical maritime risk affects Canadian customs clearance timelines, freight routing decisions, and compliance documentation under CARM.
Read article →Spain Pork Import Permits: New Animal Health Rules and What to Check Before December
Starting December 2025, uncooked pork from Spain requires an animal health import permit from CFIA before arrival. Here's how to handle the permit process, coordinate with your broker, and avoid holds at release.
Read article →Steel Surtax Remission Order 2025: How to Actually Claim It Without Setting Your CAD on Fire
CBSA just published CN 26-02 on the Steel Goods Remission Order. If you're importing subject steel and think you qualify, the devil is in the CAD coding, the evidence file, and knowing when to contest. Here's what you need before you file.
Read article →When CBSA's EDI and eManifest Acknowledgements Go Dark: What the TCC26-0086 Outage Means for Your Release Flow
CBSA's April 22 outage showed delayed EDI acknowledgements and eManifest notices—but cargo kept moving. Here's what actually broke, what didn't, and how to keep your release pipeline intact when the next one hits.
Read article →When Trade Shocks Hit: What Canadian Importers Need to Know About Supply Chain Disruptions
Geopolitical disruptions like the Strait of Hormuz crisis affect Canadian importers differently than short-lived port strikes. Duration matters more than severity for customs clearance, duty management, and compliance. Here's how to prepare your CARM filings, bonds, and freight strategy when supply chains bend instead of break.
Read article →CUSMA review committee is live — and you need a contingency plan for origin now
Carney's advisory committee meets Monday. Six years in, CUSMA's built-in review window is here. If your origin analysis is still a copy-paste from NAFTA, you're exposed — especially if you're claiming on D-memos that predate the current tariff classification structure.
Read article →EDI and eManifest Portal Delays: What Actually Breaks When Outbound Messages Stall
CBSA's latest EDI and eManifest outbound message delay isn't just an IT annoyance—it breaks release workflows, stalls PARS automation, and creates blind spots in your cargo tracking. Here's what to watch and how to work around it.
Read article →GC-2026-001: CITT Safeguard Inquiry on Wood Cabinets, Flooring, and Furniture — What Import Managers Need to Track
The Canadian International Trade Tribunal just launched a safeguard inquiry covering solid and engineered wood cabinets, vanities, hardwood flooring, and storage furniture. Here's what that means for classification, CAD filing strategy, and possible surtax exposure if you touch these product categories.
Read article →Latin American Import Volatility and What Canadian Importers Should Watch in 2025
Recent softness in Europe-Latin America container volumes signals broader trade shifts that Canadian importers should monitor. We examine how LatAm sourcing trends, CBSA clearance protocols, and duty planning intersect for mid-market companies relying on this corridor.
Read article →