Customs Brokerage
CBSA-licensed clearance, nationwide.
Your goods are only as fast as your broker. Our CBSA-licensed team clears entries at every major Canadian port and airport, 24/7, with release-on-minimum-documentation discipline baked in.
What's included
- Commercial Accounting Declaration (CAD) filings, CARM client portal onboarding and post-entry corrections
- Release on Minimum Documentation (RMD) and PARS pre-arrival
- Nationwide coverage — Toronto, Vancouver, Montréal, Halifax, Calgary
- Dedicated account manager plus a 24/7 border response desk
- Electronic CBSA filings through CARM, ACI manifests and PARS pre-arrival
What good brokerage actually looks like
Most importers discover their broker matters only when something goes wrong — a detained container, a penalty notice, a mis-classified SKU that cost them thousands in overpaid duty for three years.
We build brokerage relationships the other way around: we audit your classification and valuation before the first shipment moves, we set you up properly in CARM, and we give you one named broker who answers the phone.
How we work with you
- Onboarding. CARM registration, GAA/POA paperwork, SKU intake and tariff classification review.
- Clearance. Entries filed the moment docs arrive. Exceptions escalated, not ignored.
- Compliance loop. Monthly reporting on entries, duty paid, exceptions and opportunities to reclaim.
Frequently asked questions
What does a Canadian customs broker actually do?
A licensed Canadian customs broker prepares and files the import entry that releases your goods from CBSA custody. This includes classifying goods under the correct HS tariff, calculating duty and GST or HST, filing the entry through the CARM portal, arranging payment of duties on your behalf, and coordinating any CBSA examination. A good broker also advises on origin rules under CUSMA, CETA, and other free trade agreements so you claim the correct duty-free treatment. CanFlow Global handles these functions nationwide through our CBSA-licensed team.
Do I need a customs broker to import into Canada?
Legally you can self-file if you have a Canadian Business Number, a CARM Client Portal account, and financial security posted with CBSA. In practice, most commercial importers use a licensed broker because CBSA entries are technical, missed deadlines trigger penalties under AMPS, and a single misclassification can cost thousands in overpaid duty. CanFlow Global takes over the entire clearance workflow so you avoid the compliance risk of self-filing.
How much does Canadian customs brokerage cost?
Canadian brokerage fees are typically tiered by shipment value and complexity. A simple single-entry fee for a low-to-mid value commercial shipment ranges from about CAD 75 to CAD 250. Complex entries with multiple tariff lines, permits, or free trade agreement origin verification cost more. Duty, GST, and disbursement fees are always charged separately on top of the brokerage fee. CanFlow Global offers flat-rate pricing for repeat shippers and volume discounts for high-frequency importers.
What is CARM and how does CanFlow Global help with CARM registration?
CARM (the CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management system) is the mandatory Canadian government portal that every importer of record must use since October 2024. Each importer must hold a Business Number, have a CARM Client Portal account set up by a Canadian signing authority, and post financial security directly with CBSA. CanFlow Global walks clients through every step from Business Number registration with the CRA through portal setup, security posting (minimum CAD 25,000 for the Release Prior to Payment privilege), and delegation of authority to CanFlow as your broker.
Can CanFlow Global clear shipments at any Canadian port?
Yes. CanFlow Global provides nationwide customs brokerage coverage at every major Canadian port and airport, including Toronto Pearson (YYZ), Vancouver (YVR), Montreal Trudeau (YUL), Halifax, Calgary, Winnipeg, and at border crossings like Windsor-Detroit, Sarnia-Port Huron, Pacific Highway, and Emerson. Our electronic filing works across all CBSA regions so you get the same experience regardless of where your goods arrive in Canada.
How fast can CanFlow Global release my shipment from CBSA?
For shipments with complete documentation and correct classification, CanFlow Global typically files the entry within minutes of receiving the paperwork and obtains CBSA release within one to four hours under Release on Minimum Documentation or PARS pre-arrival review. Complex cases involving OGD permits, anti-dumping reviews, or CBSA examinations can take longer. We escalate exceptions immediately rather than letting shipments sit.