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.
CBSA extends SIMA duties on Chinese solar modules: what importers need to know
The CBSA completed an expiry review and decided to keep anti-dumping and countervailing duties on Chinese photovoltaic modules and laminates in place. Here's what that means for Canadian importers sourcing solar equipment, and when CUSMA or CETA alternatives make sense.
Read article →CITT Extends Steel Duties: Check Your HS Code Before Your Next CAD
The Canadian International Trade Tribunal just extended anti-dumping and countervailing duties on corrosion-resistant steel from Türkiye and Vietnam for another five years. If you're importing under HS 7210 or 7212, your CAD filing needs the right declarations — or expect a re-determination months later.
Read article →SIMA Administrative Review for Fasteners: Two Supplier Margins Just Changed
CBSA updated normal values for carbon steel fasteners from two exporters in China and Chinese Taipei. If you import from Pinghu Gete or Sheh Fung, your anti-dumping deposit math just changed.
Read article →What Your Broker's Professional Development Actually Tells You About Compliance Risk
A Winnipeg brokerage's CSCB membership application highlights why structured continuing education matters more than ever in the CARM era, and what importers should ask when evaluating broker partners.
Read article →When the English and French Versions Don't Match: HS 7306.29.00 Remission Filing Calls
The U.S. Surtax Remission Order (2025) published with a language mismatch at Item 38.082. Finance confirmed the English HS code is correct, CBSA will administer accordingly. If you're filing CADs for steel pipe imports and claiming surtax relief, here's what the discrepancy means for your remission claims and when to escalate similar conflicts.
Read article →Gordie Howe Bridge opens July 27: what commercial importers need to file
The new Windsor-Detroit crossing goes live next week. CBSA has published new PARS routing codes, and most commercial importers will need to update carrier instructions and CARM portal configurations before the first pre-arrival filing.
Read article →CUSMA origin claims on metals and plastics just got riskier
Tariff volatility and USMCA renegotiation uncertainty mean Canadian importers filing preferential duty claims on commodity inputs need tighter origin documentation and SIMA exposure audits now.
Read article →Spot rates are falling. Canadian customs capacity isn't.
Ocean freight costs dropped for the first time since April, and importers are planning Q3 restocking runs. But cheaper freight doesn't automatically mean faster CBSA clearance. If your CARM infrastructure, RPP bond, HS classifications, and CUSMA origin certificates aren't ready for a volume spike, the savings evaporate at the border.
Read article →West Coast volume swings mean filing pattern shifts at CBSA
LA and Long Beach logged strong June volume, but tariff uncertainty and geopolitical risk are pushing some Canadian importers to reconsider routing. When cargo paths change, CBSA CAD filings, CUSMA origin documentation, and RPP bond sizing all need to follow.
Read article →When your origin port floods: CBSA clearance, duty liability, and cargo recovery options
Chittagong port flooding shows how upstream disruption hits Canadian importers downstream. We walk through CAD filing extensions, RPP bond exposure, damaged-cargo duty relief, and when to file a drawback claim.
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