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.
Port of Québec Gets First-Port Designation: What It Actually Means for Your Release Workflow
CBSA just granted Québec City first-port-of-arrival status for international marine containers. It's not just a ribbon-cutting — it changes routing optionality, PARS timing, and potentially your SLA with Montreal-centric drayage partners. Here's the operational read.
Read article →Pre-Negotiation Concessions and the CUSMA Reopener: What Canadian Importers Should Be Tracking
The Trump administration is reportedly demanding upfront concessions before formal CUSMA renegotiations begin. For importers still digesting CARM, this adds another layer of uncertainty around origin, SIMA, and de minimis thresholds.
Read article →Supply Chain Resilience and Canadian Customs Clearance: What Mid-Market Importers Need to Know
Global supply chain disruptions highlight the importance of resilient Canadian import processes. Learn how CARM-era customs clearance, proper documentation, and strategic compliance planning help Canadian importers maintain continuity during geopolitical uncertainty.
Read article →8-Hour Outbound Delays Are Not Just a Processing Hiccup
CBSA's latest EDI backlog shows 1–3 hour inbound lags and 8–10 hour outbound delays. That second number matters more than most brokers are letting on, especially if you're waiting on RNS, ACI acknowledgments, or CAD release notices before delivery windows close.
Read article →AVS Is Your First Line of Defence Against CAD Rejections
CBSA's Automated Import Reference System Verification Service is the unglamorous validation tool that keeps your EDI submissions from bouncing. If you're still treating AIRS codes as a nice-to-have, you're burning time on resubmissions and risking release delays.
Read article →Carrier Surcharges and Your Canadian Import Costs: What Mid-Market Importers Need to Know
Temporary freight surcharges from major carriers are reshaping landed costs for Canadian importers. Learn how per-pound fees impact duty calculations, CARM compliance, and your total cost of goods—and what steps you can take to maintain predictable customs clearance budgets.
Read article →CBSA Opens SIMA Investigation on Chinese Steel Racks — What Import Managers Need to Do Right Now
CBSA launched dumping and subsidy investigations on steel racks from China effective April 20, 2026. If you're bringing in storage systems, shelving, or pallet racks from Chinese suppliers, provisional duties could land in 60 days. Here's what to check, how to classify defensively, and whether your current CAD filing strategy holds up under SIMA scrutiny.
Read article →CFIA's New Animal Products Import Policy: What Changed and Why Your Broker Needs to Care About Product Codes Now
CFIA just retired the old animal products import policy and published a final replacement. The shift tightens up product coding requirements, zoosanitary cert validation, and case-by-case handling — all of which hit your release workflow before CBSA even looks at the CAD.
Read article →GAC Steel Monitoring COM Code Exclusions Just Changed for 2026 — Check Your CAD Logic Now
Global Affairs Canada updated the steel monitoring Country of Melt and Pour HS exclusion list for 2026 Customs Tariff changes. If your CAD templates auto-populate COM data based on last year's logic, you're probably filing wrong as of April 23.
Read article →Malacca Strait Toll Talk: What Asian Shipping Delays Mean for Canadian Import Clearance
Indonesia's proposed tolls on the Malacca Strait could trigger cascading delays and cost increases for Canadian importers relying on Asia-Pacific supply chains. Understanding how route changes affect CARM filings, duty calculations, and release timelines is critical for maintaining compliance and controlling landed costs.
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