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.
Canada-Indonesia CEPA Is Live: What's Actually on the Table for Your Tariff Stack
Bill C-18 passed May 6, implementing the Canada-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. We walk through what the agreement covers, where preferential duty claims make sense, and what your broker needs to file the origin declaration cleanly.
Read article →Cedar to Germany or Denmark? Heat-Treatment Certificates Won't Clear It
Germany and Denmark reject industry-issued heat-treatment certificates for Thuja spp. wood, demanding full phytosanitary certificates instead. The derogation split means your cedar shipment needs different paperwork depending on the EU member state, and most Canadian exporters don't find out until the container sits at Hamburg.
Read article →New CITT Vice-Chair and Member Appointments: What Changes for Importers Filing SIMA Appeals
Eric Wildhaber joins the Canadian International Trade Tribunal as Vice-Chair alongside three new members. For importers caught in SIMA appeals, procurement reviews, or safeguard cases, these appointments shift the bench hearing your arguments.
Read article →Serial No. 1162: GAC Import Permits Now Mandatory for Chinese EVs — What Changes at the CAD Stage
Global Affairs Canada added Chinese EVs to the Import Control List effective March 1, 2026. Shipment-specific permits are now required before you can file a compliant CAD, and quota-based allocation means late applications may hit a closed window.
Read article →UK CPTPP Accession Is Live — What Changes for Canadian Importers and NRI Registration
Parliament passed Bill C-13 on May 6, adding the UK to CPTPP. UK goods now qualify for tariff preference on the same terms as Japan, Australia, and the rest of the bloc. Here's what that means for CAD origin claims, NRI registration, and certificate-of-origin timelines.
Read article →U.S.-EU tariff deadline shifts duty math for Canadian importers routing through Europe
Trump's July 4 deadline for the EU tariff deal changes cost calculus for Canadian importers sourcing from or routing goods through European suppliers. Origin claims, CUSMA triangulation, and HS classification all come back into play when U.S. rates move and trade shifts north.
Read article →CBSA Portal Message Delays: What Four-Hour Outbound Lag Actually Costs You
CBSA outbound EDI and eManifest messages are running two to four hours behind as of May 7. Inbound data is processing normally, but late responses mean cargo release confirmations, exam dispositions, and payment receipts arrive too late to meet carrier pickup windows or next-shift dock schedules.
Read article →Chief Mountain Opens Mid-May: What Importers Using Secondary Alberta Crossings Need to Know
Chief Mountain port of entry reopens May 15 through September 30. If you're moving commercial freight through secondary Alberta crossings, here's what seasonal hours, ACE/ACI filing, and limited infrastructure mean for your PARS releases and cross-border timing.
Read article →China's New Plant Fertilizer Registration Rule Hits Canadian Exporters March 30
GACC's revised registration requirement for Canadian plant-derived fertilizers to China now demands CFIA and GACC dual registration for producers, processors, and storage facilities. The deadline is March 30, 2026, and the fallout for exporters who miss it is simple: you don't ship.
Read article →EDI and eManifest Portal Delays: What's Actually Working (and What Isn't) Under CBSA's Outage Plan
CBSA's Systems Outage Contingency Plan remains active for EDI and eManifest messaging. Inbound data processing is functional, but outbound confirmations lag. Paper entries are still accepted. Here's what that means for CAD filing, cargo control, and your cross-border release timing.
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