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.
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 →RB3 Expiry Review Kicks Off — What Rebar Importers Need to Know Before June
The CITT just initiated the RB3 expiry review covering rebar from seven countries. If you've been importing under SIMA duties since 2021, now's the time to review your classification, supplier declarations, and CAD filings — because the outcome will reshape your landed cost for the next five years.
Read article →RB4 Expiry Review Live — What Changes for Rebar Importers and How to Handle CAD Filings Under SIMA Orders
CITT kicked off the RB4 expiry review for rebar from Oman and Russia. Here's what the next 12 months look like for CAD filings, SIMA deposit math, and compliance if you're bringing in hot-rolled reinforcing bar.
Read article →What EU-US Auto Tariff Disputes Mean for Canadian Importers of Light Trucks and SUVs
The stalled EU-US tariff agreement highlights how technical safety and emissions standards can override trade deals. Canadian importers of light trucks and SUVs should review their CUSMA origin strategies, CBSA verification exposure, and CAD filing accuracy as global auto supply chains reconfigure around regulatory friction.
Read article →When Market Recovery Signals It's Time to Scale Your Canadian Import Program
Freight markets are rebounding, but not every importer should expand right now. Learn how to assess whether your customs compliance, duty exposure, and CARM readiness support scaling your Canadian import volumes—or whether operational gaps will turn growth into costly errors.
Read article →Canada Post Losses and What They Mean for Commercial Importers
Canada Post's $1.1 billion pre-tax loss in 2024 signals potential service disruptions for commercial importers. Learn how to mitigate clearance delays, navigate CBSA compliance, and choose reliable alternatives for time-sensitive shipments.
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