January 2026’s CBSA Trade Verification List has been released. 

Twice a year, the CBSA releases a list of commercial goods it is focusing on for inspections and verification. Typically, this focus manifests as targeted checks on the listed commercial goods to ensure they comply with trade rules. The Government of Canada sets priorities for these verifications based on risk, with new targets added or removed twice a year, typically in January and July, with this being the January release. 

A broader breakdown of what this list is and the other factors involved can be found here. 

The list itself can be found here. 

January’s update to this list includes significant changes from last year, and it is highly recommended that you read it through and work closely with your broker to ensure your goods continue to be imported compliantly.

Among these new sections is a significant focus on the correct application of surtaxes on imported goods, including the following: 

• China Surtax Order (2024): Electric vehicles
• China Surtax Order (2024): Steel and Aluminum
• United States Surtax Order (2025-01)
• United States Surtax Order (Steel and Aluminum 2025)
• United States Surtax Order (Motor Vehicles 2025)
• Order imposing a Surtax on the importation of Certain Steel Goods
• Steel Goods and Aluminum Goods Surtax Order
• Energy commodities and final accounting
  
  • Verifications on electricity imports under Chapter 27 of the Customs Tariff

As this is a new section for this list, it is worth highlighting, and it should be noted that these surtaxes will affect a broad swath of Canadian importers.