FAQ

A customs broker is invaluable for streamlining the process of transporting goods across borders. While not strictly required by law, navigating customs procedures can be complex, especially for certain products. Engaging a customs broker can expedite border crossings, ensuring smoother and quicker clearance for your shipments, minimizing hassle and delays.

“Customs clearance” or “clearing customs” is a common term in our industry. Essentially, it refers to the process where goods being imported or exported comply with a country’s regulations for entering or leaving its borders. These regulations differ depending on the country and the specific item being shipped.

We specialize in expediting customs clearance, minimizing paperwork, and reducing complications, ensuring a swift and hassle-free process for you.

A customs broker is a licensed professional or company that collaborates with border authorities in foreign countries to ensure that imported or exported goods comply with all necessary requirements. A reputable customs broker assists with paperwork and administrative tasks, and serves as a point of contact to address any inquiries on your behalf.

A tariff code, also known as a Harmonized System (HS) Tariff Code, comprises a comprehensive list of classification codes for goods involved in import or export activities. With over 17,000 distinct classification codes, each country maintains its own tariff schedule.

The Harmonized System (HS) is a globally recognized classification system used for categorizing products. It enables participating countries to classify traded goods uniformly for customs purposes. At the international level, the HS consists of a six-digit code system.

To find an HS code for shipments entering Canada, you can refer to the Canada Border Services Agency’s Customs Tariff webpage.

GST, short for Goods and Services Tax, is a standardized federal tax rate of 5% applicable to the majority of goods and services in Canada. This 5% tax is levied at the border on both commercial and personal imports. While GST is the sole tax imposed on residents of Alberta, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and the Yukon Territories, it is integrated into the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) for other provinces.

PST is a tax collected at the provincial level that varies in rate by province. Only four provinces currently collect this tax: Manitoba, British Columbia, Quebec and Saskatchewan collect PST (in addition to GST). This means that consumer purchases from residents in these provinces will be charged GST and PST. PST is not payable at the border for commercial imports to Canada.

Essentially, HST is the 5% GST combined with PST to form one harmonized tax. This is collected in the provinces of Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador and the rates vary by province.