Archive for the ‘Carrier’ Category

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Unassigned Shipments On Board Your Truck?

Shipments without a Customs Broker? Contact UsAs the carrier, there are many factors that can play a role in causing delays at the border. While some are out of your control there are certain things you can do to ensure you have the best chance at a hassle-free cross border experience.

One of the most effective measures you can take is to ensure that all loads on board your truck have a Customs Broker assigned to handle the cross border customs clearance. You have a few opportunities when you can obtain these details:

  • At the time the load is dispatched
  • At the time the freight is picked up at the shipper’s location
  • By calling the owner/purchaser/importer of the freight

The Importer of Record (IOR) is not necessarily the consignee. It can be the vendor or another party involved in the freight as a drop shipment. The IOR is the party responsible for payment of all duties/taxes on the goods being transported.  This is why you want to ensure that you confirm all Customs Broker details with the Importer of Record, so that you can get the commercial documentation to the appropriate Customs Brokers. Sending your paperwork to the Customs Broker at the time of pick up will allow them the maximum time to process it before your arrival at the border – resulting in minimal or no delays at the border.

If you have a customer that doesn’t have a customs broker assigned to handle the clearance, please contact Pacific Customs Brokers for assistance. With our 24/7 live reception team (and no voice mail) and ALWAYS Open operation, our team of experts at Pacific Customs Brokers is here to help all of our trade chain partners with their cross border needs.

Posted on March 7th, 2012 by Sonia Stanton
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Posted in Canada Customs, Carrier, Transportation, Your Broker Knows

You Asked…Wood Packaging Materials

Wooden palletsShould we be putting a statement on our bills of lading to the fact that the whole shipment is loaded out on klin dried ISPM-15 pallets?

Thank you for your inquiry on our blog – Update on Wood Packaging Materials Moving Between Canada and USA.

Regulated wood packaging material. Regulated wood packaging material, whether in actual use as packing for regulated or non-regulated articles or imported as cargo, may be imported into the United States under a general permit in accordance with the following conditions:

(1) The wood packaging material must have been treated in accordance with part 305 of this chapter.

(2) Marking. The wood packaging material must be marked in a visible location on each article, preferably on at least two opposite sides of the article, with a legible and permanent mark that indicates that the article meets the requirements of this paragraph. The mark must be approved by the International Plant Protection Convention in its International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures to certify that wood packaging material has been subjected to an approved measure, and must include a unique graphic symbol, the ISO two-letter country code for the country that produced the wood packaging material, a unique number assigned by the national plant protection agency of that country to the producer of the wood packaging material, and an abbreviation disclosing the type of treatment ( e.g. , HT for heat treatment or MB for methyl bromide fumigation). The currently approved format for the mark is as follows, where XX would be replaced by the country code, 000 by the producer number, and YY by the treatment type (HT or MB):

 

 

Posted on March 7th, 2012 by Yvette Fox
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Posted in Carrier, Transportation, US Customs

Update on Wood Packaging Materials Moving Between Canada & USA

Wooden palletsOver the past few weeks, Pacific Customs Brokers has noticed a marked increase in U. S. Customs and Border Protection demands for shipments to be “direct exported” back to Canada due to non-compliance with the Solid Wood Packaging Materials (SWPM) regulations.

While we have not receive any official U. S. notification of this increased enforcement, Customs officers have verbally advised us that they would prefer to see the SWPM statement with any shipment that contains pallets that may not be properly marked. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has provided us with the following information – Update on Wood Packaging (PDF).

Please note that no recent changes have been made to the regulations, however, we strongly advise that all shippers to the USA review the requirements and their internal practices to assure that you are in compliance. Should you have further questions, please contact Pacific Customs Brokers at 604.538.1566 and we’ll be happy to assist you.

Posted on March 6th, 2012 by April Collier
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Posted in Canada Customs, Carrier, Transportation, US Customs

Single Trip Authorization Bonds

InvoicesCarriers that haven’t posted security with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) are considered non-bonded highway carriers. Generally, these carrier codes start with the number 1 or 7.

Normally a non-bonded carrier must have the shipment released at the first point of arrival (ie. the border). However, if the non bonded carrier cannot obtain release of the shipment at the border and chooses to bring a shipment inland for release at another CBSA office, the carrier must post a single trip authorization bond at the Canadian border or be authorized to use the carrier code of a bonded carrier. Otherwise, the non-bonded carrier may be issued a penalty.

A single trip authorization may be acquired in one of two ways:

  • By posting security directly with CBSA using cash or a certified cheque
  • By engaging a customs broker, such as Pacific Customs Brokers, who provides this service

In order for Pacific Customs Brokers to assist you with this request, it’s helpful for you or your driver to notify us in advance so the documentation can be prepared before arrival at the border. The information that you or your drivers would need to provide is:

  • Power of attorney with method of payment
  • Invoice for the goods be transported
  • Truck & trailer registration
  • Copy of driver’s license
  • Carrier code
  • Specify the reason that the bond is required

Although there are some limitations with being a non-bonded carrier, there are options available to you.

If you are interested in our single trip bond service or becoming a bonded carrier, please contact our Carrier Help Desk for assistance.

Posted on February 29th, 2012 by Sonia Stanton
Posted in Canada Customs, Carrier, Your Broker Knows

The Value of Partners in Protection (PIP) & C-TPAT Memberships

Partners in Protection logoInterested in spending more time on shipping and less on border delays? In the age of global trading, your reputation as a company will be focused on security practices and getting your goods across the border with fewer inspections and expedited border clearances.

The recent Partners in Protection (PIP) Newsletter confirmed as at January 1, 2012, there were 1,449 PIP Members in Canada. With the recent announcements with the U.S. for a “shared vision for perimeter security”, PIP has also confirmed that 78% of all PIP Members are already C-TPAT (Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism) Certified as well.

Is it necessary? For some, yes! PIP Membership is a necessity for eligibility into certain programs. As a PIP Member you are committed to supply chain security, and the benefits include:

  • Eligibility to apply to the FAST Program;
  • Eligibility to the Low Value Shipment Program;
  • Enhanced reputation as being a low-risk company;
  • Fewer border delays; and
  • Expedited clearances

As the United States and Canada have agreed to a shared vision for perimeter security, we can expect that perimeter security to slowly become more harmonized.

What does that mean exactly? To start, an initiative has been announced for the C-TPAT and PIP Programs. Other programs will become more integrated such as the Trusted Trader Program and Partners in Compliance (under the Customs Self Assessment).

Of the 1,449 PIP Members in Canada, 62% of those are highway carriers. The benefits of expedited border clearances and fewer inspections combined with the enhanced reputation can provide you with a competitive advantage, as well as position your organization to be internationally recognized.

Pacific Customs Brokers is pleased to provide a PIP and C-TPAT informative seminar on March 29, 2012, which will provide you with details about the applications and the membership processes.  To register for the PIP Seminar. To register for the C-TPAT Seminar.

Posted on February 21st, 2012 by Jenny Hubbard
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Posted in Canada Customs, Carrier, Your Broker Knows

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