Trade Advisory

Am I importing correctly?
Could I be doing it better?

Looking For Experienced Import Advice?

Speak with a Trade Advisor

Am I importing correctly?
Could I be doing it better?

Many importers sail along their importing journey without any issues with Customs for years. Then one day, they receive a letter informing them of an impending audit, or they read an article in the paper about a well known company being issued a multi-million dollar fine for non-compliance.

Don't wait for this letter to arrive at your doorstep. Speak to one of our experienced Trade Advisors today to optimize the process, determine if you are importing correctly and get invaluable advice on how it can be done cheaper, faster and more efficiently.

CARM Client Portal

Need help understanding the CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM) client portal, and requirement to purchase your own release prior to payment security bond?

Includes:

  • Assistance with purchase, setup and management
  • Streamlined accounting activity, corrections, adjustments and payment due dates
  • Pay duty, tax liability and customs disbursements

Advanced Ruling | Binding Ruling Applications

Unsure what your HS Tariff Classification should be? Apply for a ruling from Customs.

Includes:

  • Review of your commodity’s composition, industry, suppliers, buyers, and production
  • Research of current rulings similar to your commodity to determine feasibility
  • Research of regulations, explanatory notes and other interpretation materials
  • Filing of ruling application with Customs

Duty Drawback

Refunds on duty and surtax paid.

Includes:

  • Assess which clearances are eligible for drawback opportunities
  • Assist with reporting and calculating of drawback
  • Assist with filing and management of records

Tariff Classification Analysis

Analysis of your goods’ composition to determine accurate HS Tariff Classification.

Includes:

  • Obtain an updated and current list of goods and/or part #s of your database
  • Work with you to produce full and proper descriptions of the goods
  • Research and provide advice of the correct classification
  • Review previous entries to ensure compliance
  • Review and compare both Canadian and U.S. databases simultaneously to ensure consistency (if applicable)
  • Assist in putting in place protocol for new part numbers or products to be added

Personalized Instruction

One-on-one or group training customized for your needs.

Includes:

  • Customized training video(s), webinars, in person or live-conference training
  • Access to presenter for future questions
  • Secure record-keeping

Customs Manuals

A standardized operating procedures manual of your company’s import process. A great tool for vacation coverage, new staff, and clarity of regulatory requirements for your products.

Includes:

  • Step-by-step guide on the basics of importing (parties involved, paperwork, valuation, origin, tariff)
  • Customized appendices for your product type
  • Overview of record keeping requirements
  • Best practice advice to remain up-to-date with regulation changes
  • Resource list

Free Trade Agreement Review

Determination of which country offers the lowest rate or eliminates duty on your imported goods.

Includes:

  • Determining the tariff classification of your goods
  • Assessment of needs: sourcing availability, speed of delivery, and quality
  • Research of all available Free Trade Agreement rules of origin or other benefits such as Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) countries
  • Tariff engineering opportunities (if available)

Valuation of Goods

Of the 6 valuation methods accepted by Customs, determination of which one must be used to correctly value your imported goods.

Includes:

  • Provide a general understanding of the various valuation methods and their restrictions
  • Determining what costs, additions and/or deductions can be made
  • Clarifying direct cost vs indirect cost inclusions, assists, and commissions
  • Valuation of goods

Pre-Verification Compliance Audits

Review of your importing practices as a whole to determine level of compliance and areas of improvement to be made.

Includes:

  • Determination of project
  • Internal audit of customs entries, reviewing tariff, origin, valuation and Free Trade Agreement tariff treatment
  • Record keeping

Post-Verification Audits

Review of customs audit findings to determine areas of protest or appeal.

Includes:

  • Review of customs audit findings for possible appeal opportunities
  • Explanation of audit findings and related regulations
  • Assist in putting in place protocol for future compliance efforts

Participating Government Agency Requirements

Some commodities require review by another government agency in addition to Customs. These agencies have their own regulatory requirements, which you can have reviewed to determine your level of compliance.

Includes:

  • Review of commodity database
  • Determine which PGAs are applicable to your imports
  • Provide rules and regulations that must be followed for each PGA reviewing your imports
  • Best practice advice

Supply Chain Audits

A detailed look at how your supply chain works together to determine areas where efficiencies and cost savings can be made.

Includes:

  • Assessment of needs: sourcing availability, speed of delivery, and quality
  • Review of the Incoterms® (terms of sale) being used, sourcing countries, shipping routes and modes of transport
  • Advisement of efficiencies and other improvements

Tariff Relief

Review of your commodities, sourcing and manufacturing practices to determine if a lower rate of duty could be used as a result of trade modifications.

Includes:

  • Review of possible exclusions from particular trade remedies
  • Options for tariff engineering
  • Assessment of Free Trade Agreements that may not yet be taken advantage of

Customs Penalty Protests | Appeals

In the event that an audit or import has resulted in a penalty, a protest or appeal can be made to Customs on your behalf.

Includes:

  • Developing, writing and confirming potential mitigating circumstances
  • Assisting in developing standard operating procedures that preclude future errors
  • Review for previous same/similar issues
  • Provide training/assistance in understanding culpability, correction and disclosure

Prior Disclosure | Voluntary Disclosure

In the event a compliance issue is found on one or more previous imports, and before found by Customs within an audit, a prior disclosure can be written to rectify the issue with Customs. A delicate matter such as this requires experienced advice.

Includes:

  • Determination of what entries, classifications, or other errors may be present
  • Determination of duties owed
  • Submission of disclosure documents

Provisional Entry Applications

A special entry type reserved for special projects. Applicable to large scale imports over multiple conveyances, within a large time frame for an unknown value at the time of import.

Includes:

  • Assessment of needs: sourcing availability, speed of delivery, and quality
  • Determination of project scope: modes of transport, number of shipments
  • Assessment of entry use
  • Application for provisional entry

Partners in Protection (PIP) Consulting

Partners in Protection (PIP) is a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) program that enlists the cooperation of private industry to enhance border and trade chain security, combat organized crime and terrorism and help detect and prevent contraband smuggling.

It is a voluntary program with no membership fee that aims to secure the trade chain, one partnership at a time. Industry strongly supports the PIP program and greatly values the commitment of PIP members to do their part, together with the CBSA, to secure the supply chain and facilitate legitimate trade.

Includes:

  • Policy and Procedures Formalization
  • Supply Chain Risk Assessment
  • Annual Audit Review
  • Security Profile / PIP Application writing assistance
  • Individualized Consultations and Training

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Experienced trade advisor