The CBSA Trade Verification Priorities List
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) recently released its verification priority list for July 2026. In this week’s post, we are going to give you an overview of the contents of the recently released verification list, its importance to importers, and some tips for importers to stay compliant in the face of a Customs inspection.
What is a CBSA Trade Verification Priorities List?
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 regulations.
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.
What is the CBSA Looking For?
Pre and post-release assessments evaluate the components of compliant importing, with other details as necessary. Those components include:
- Tariff Classification: Does your import use the appropriate application of HS codes?
- Valuation: Does your import use the correct application of the six methods of valuation to ensure the correct payment of duties and taxes on the goods?
- Origin: Is your import accurate in its application of origin rules in accordance with legislative requirements?
- Exemptions and Remissions: Are duty and tax exemptions and remissions being applied accurately?
What to Expect from the CBSA?
Should CBSA feel it necessary, it can issue the following communications to importers, notifying them of CBSA intervention:
- Trade Advisory Notice (TAN): Functionally, the TAN is a 'nudge' indicating a potential area of non-compliance. This letter serves as a request for the importer to review the declaration in question but carries no monetary assessment
- Compliance Validation Letter (CVL): The CVL is issued when the CBSA suspects non-compliance and requests additional supporting information within 30 days
- Directed Compliance Letter (DCL): The DCL is the letter you most want to avoid. It is when CBSA knows of an instance(s) of non-compliance and issues a monetary penalty
Additionally, through the CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM) system, the CBSA is able to validate duties and taxes while conducting compliance interventions to address areas of known or suspected non-compliance. CARM is the CBSA’s primary point of contact and notification for importers, so be sure to keep an eye on your portal for any relevant information regarding the verification of your import.
July 2026 CBSA Trade Compliance Verification List
July’s list includes the following as compliance priorities in addition to the list of concerned goods. This list is pulled, in brief, from the trade priority page. For full details on each entry, you are encouraged to visit the trade verification site.
Verification and Compliance Priorities
The CBSA has identified the following compliance priorities:
Tariff rate quota and classification of supply-managed goods
- Verifications on the classification of frozen desserts containing 5% of dairy products
- Verifications on the classification of spent fowl products
GST, excise duties, and taxes
- GST exemption codes
- Vaping products subject to excise duties and taxes
- Precious metals
Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) origin verifications:
- Automotive industry
Import origin verifications under:
- Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)
- Canada-United Kingdom Trade Continuity Agreement (CUKTCA)
- Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP): Short supply list of products
Duties Relief Program (DRP)
- Verifications of licensees importing supply-managed goods
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
Steel Derivative Goods Surtax Order
Energy commodities and final accounting
- Verifications on electricity imports under Chapter 27 of the Customs Tariff
Tariff Classification
Steel Goods and Aluminum Goods Surtax Order |
Order Imposing a Surtax on the Importation of Certain Steel Goods
United States Surtax Order (Steel and Aluminum 2025)
United States Surtax Order (2025-1)
China Surtax Order (2024): Steel and Aluminum
China Surtax Order (2024): Electric Vehicles
Spent Fowl | Harmonized System Number(s): Heading 02.07, 16.01 and 16.02
Frozen Desserts | Harmonized System Number(s): Tariff Item 2105.00.10
Led Lamps (Round 2) | Harmonized System Number(s): Heading 85.39
Bags (Round 3) | Harmonized System Number(s): Heading 42.02
Gloves (Round 3) | Harmonized System Number(s): Headings 39.26 and 42.03
Valuation
Energy Commodities Harmonized System Number(s): Headings 27.16
Ways To Practice Trade Compliance
When it comes to compliance, knowledge is key. Here are some suggestions to assist you in maintaining an excellent importing relationship with Customs:
- Ensure Accurate Customs Declarations: Importers must provide accurate information to Customs and comply with the Customs Act. This includes the origin, tariff classification, valuation, and other relevant areas as they apply
- Review and Resolve Issues Once Found: Even the most compliant importer, with the most accurate customs broker, can discover inaccuracies. We recommend that all importers review declarations made on their behalf. Post-entry corrections must be made within 90 days of establishing Reason to Believe
- Practice Excellent Record-Keeping: Importers are required to keep records for 6 years plus the current year. Customs can audit imports up to four years after they cross the border. Importers should have records of all their imports filed using the customs transaction number
- Take advantage of our Trade Advisory team, who can help you understand how this release could affect your imports
