As reported in our March 2018 blog “Import Misconception#25: Customs Inspections End at the Border”, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) will continue to verify and adjust commercial importations for origin, value for duty, or tariff classification for up to four years after the importation furthering customs inspections.
Twice a year, CBSA releases its Trade Compliance Verification priorities list. CBSA manages Trade Compliance with the tariff classification; customs valuation and origin programs. Verification is managed by way of random verification's or verification priorities. Some verification priorities carry over from year to year. The overall goal of these verification's is to ensure compliance with customs requirements and to ensure that the correct amount of duties is collected at the time of importation.
Types of post-release verification processes:
The CBSA manages compliance with the Tariff Classification, Tariff Treatment, Valuation, and Origin programs using the following two post-release verification processes:
- Random Verifications
- Targeted Priorities
1. Random Verifications
Random verifications are designed to measure compliance rates and revenue loss and the results may be used for many purposes, including:
- Risk assessment;
- Establishing client service activities;
- Revenue assessment; and
- Promoting voluntary compliance.
2. Targeted Priorities
Targeted priorities are determined through a risk-based, evergreen process, meaning that new targets are added throughout the fiscal year. Targeted priorities may also be carried over from previous years.
The CBSA Compliance Verification Priorities is a helpful tool for importers as it provides insight into which products are on the CBSA’s radar and allows the importers to review their customs practices and tweak or change those practices to ensure compliance. While the Verification Priorities list is important to look out for and review, one must also be reminded that CBSA does conduct random verification's. Random Verification's are chosen randomly to measure compliance with a specific company or commodity. The risk assessment may or may not be revenue based.
The CBSA January 2019 Trade Verification Priorities can be found at the following link:
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/import/verification/menu-eng.html
If your company is chosen by CBSA for a verification process or audit, the experts at PCB can assist your through the audit process. Contact our Trade Advisory Team today to have a knowledgeable, experienced and skilled expert on your side.
