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.
Duty Recovery Fees in Canada: What Importers Should Expect from Their Customs Broker
Amid reports of U.S. brokers charging up to 15% on tariff refunds, Canadian importers need clarity on duty recovery fees, CARM adjustments, and transparent broker pricing.
Read article →EDI and eManifest Portal Delays: When 1-3 Hours Actually Matters
CBSA's TCC26-0077 flagged multi-hour delays in EDI acknowledgements and eManifest portal responses. For most shipments, it's noise. For time-critical releases, SIMA entries, and Friday afternoon filings, it's a problem you need to plan around.
Read article →How Falling Ocean Freight Rates Create Hidden Customs Risks for Canadian Importers
Declining container spot rates may lower shipping costs, but they create new customs valuation and compliance challenges for importers clearing goods through CBSA.
Read article →How Middle East Shipping Disruptions Affect Canadian Import Timelines and Customs Clearance
Geopolitical tensions in the Strait of Hormuz create cascading delays for Canadian importers. Learn how to prepare for customs clearance when ocean freight schedules shift.
Read article →South China trade push means more SIMA cases and more classification fights — here's what to watch
Minister Sidhu's South China trip signals deeper import flows, especially consumer goods and agri-food. For brokers and compliance teams, that means more SIMA exposure, tighter HS scrutiny, and harder origin calls. Here's how to triage the commercial upside against the compliance downside.
Read article →What Canadian Importers Should Know About U.S. Tariff Refunds and Cross-Border Duty Planning
U.S. tariff refund processes highlight the importance of documentation quality for Canadian importers managing cross-border duties and compliance requirements.
Read article →Brazil Opens Its Door to Canadian Aquaculture, But the Real Win Is the Template
CFIA just announced market access for Canadian farmed finfish into Brazil. The cert itself is narrow, but the negotiation framework behind it matters more if you're advising clients on export strategy or planning two-way trade with South America.
Read article →CBSA Processing Delays: When 1-3 Hours Actually Matters
That 1-3 hour EDI delay notice from CBSA isn't just noise if you're releasing on tight windows. Here's what triggers the backlog, which clearance types get hit hardest, and how to keep cargo moving when acknowledgements stall.
Read article →CFIA System Maintenance and Why Your Import Release Timeline Just Got Tighter
CFIA network maintenance windows are routine, but they compress your margin for error on regulated goods releases. Here's what actually matters when AIRS and ePermits go dark, and how to keep your food, plant, and animal shipments from sitting on the dock.
Read article →eManifest Portal Downtime April 19: What You Actually Need Ready Before 4 a.m.
CBSA's eManifest portal goes dark for nearly six hours on April 19. Here's what the contingency procedures actually mean for your Sunday night cross-border freight and Monday morning release cadence.
Read article →