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.
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.
Read article →Market Volatility and Carrier Instability: What Canadian Importers Need to Know About Customs Risk
When major freight carriers and forwarders face stock market turbulence, Canadian importers must prepare for service disruptions, surcharge changes, and customs clearance delays. Here's how to protect your supply chain during periods of carrier financial volatility.
Read article →Roberts Bank Terminal 2: What West Coast Container Capacity Means for Canadian Importers
The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority and GCT have signed an MOU to explore partnership on Roberts Bank Terminal 2. For Canadian importers, expanded capacity at the Port of Vancouver translates to fewer bottlenecks, faster customs clearance, and more predictable CAD filing timelines—but only if your compliance and bonding infrastructure scales with it.
Read article →CFIA Rewrote Import Conditions for Most of Chapter 02 — Here's What Changed and Why You Should Care
CFIA just published new import conditions across most meat and offal classifications in Chapter 02. If you import lamb, mutton, goat, poultry, or game birds, your AIRS profiles need updates and your broker needs the new FIRMS codes before the next shipment.
Read article →Fertilizer Trade Memos Got Refreshed — Here's What Actually Matters for Importers
CFIA quietly updated three fertilizer trade memos this week. Most of it is labelling housekeeping, but one change affects how you classify and file fertilizer-pesticide blends. If you're bringing in ag inputs, read this before your next CAD.
Read article →Gulf Landbridge Diversions and Canadian Import Timelines: What Importers Need to Know
Container routing shifts through Gulf landbridges are adding transit days and complicating Canadian import schedules. Learn how vessel diversions around the Strait of Hormuz affect CBSA clearance timelines, CAD filing obligations, and duty payment under CARM.
Read article →How Expanded Canola Processing in Canada Affects Import Flows and Customs Clearance
Cargill's new Regina canola processing facility shifts the import-export balance for oilseed products. Canadian importers handling processed canola inputs, packaging, and re-export scenarios must adapt their customs compliance, HS classification, and CUSMA origin strategies under CARM.
Read article →Middle East Maritime Disruptions and Canadian Import Timelines: What Importers Need to Know
Recent Persian Gulf shipping seizures and Middle East tensions are creating ripple effects for Canadian importers relying on Asia-Europe-North America container routes. This article examines how geopolitical maritime risk affects Canadian customs clearance timelines, freight routing decisions, and compliance documentation under CARM.
Read article →Spain Pork Import Permits: New Animal Health Rules and What to Check Before December
Starting December 2025, uncooked pork from Spain requires an animal health import permit from CFIA before arrival. Here's how to handle the permit process, coordinate with your broker, and avoid holds at release.
Read article →Steel Surtax Remission Order 2025: How to Actually Claim It Without Setting Your CAD on Fire
CBSA just published CN 26-02 on the Steel Goods Remission Order. If you're importing subject steel and think you qualify, the devil is in the CAD coding, the evidence file, and knowing when to contest. Here's what you need before you file.
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