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Q: |
What is
a Customs Broker? |
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A: |
A customs
broker is a company that is licensed by Revenue Canada, Customs,
Excise & Taxation to represent importers in their dealings with Canada
Customs. The customs brokerage company employs professionals who
have passed examinations and who are authorized to represent the
company in their dealings with importers. If a company wanted to
import into, or export from, Canada, that company can employ a customs
brokerage company to handle their transactions at Canada customs. |
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Q: |
Do I
have to use a customs broker at all? |
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A: |
No. If you
want to represent yourself in processing your shipments through Canada
Customs, you have the right to do this. |
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Q: |
What are
the advantages of using a customs broker? |
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A: |
Most
companies who import goods into Canada find that it is far too
expensive and time consuming to travel to the facility where their
goods are held awaiting the clearance process, prepare a formal
declaration for Canada Customs, pay the charges due and then await
delivery of their product. The trend today, as in other
industries, is to outsource. That is, they do what they do best
and leave the clearance process up to the professionals. |
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Q: |
What
documentation is required to ship into Canada from North America? |
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A: |
The two
standard documents required are the customs clearance document and the
NAFTA Certificate of Origin. |
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Q: |
Why is a
NAFTA Certificate of Origin required? |
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A: |
Canada,
Mexico, and the United States agreed to establish a uniform
Certificate of Origin to certify that goods imported into their
territories qualify for the preferential tariff treatment accorded by
NAFTA. Only importers who possess a valid Certificate of Origin
can claim preferential tariff treatment.
The Certificate of Origin must be completed and signed by the exporter
of the goods. A certificate is not required on every import. A
blanket certificate can be filed. Contact your customs broker to
assist you in determining if your goods qualify.
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