International Trade For Ecommerce Business
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International Trade For Ecommerce Business

Ecommerce Trade Is Big Business

The ability to do business online is creating a platform where businesses of all sizes are engaging in international trade. Ecommerce is changing the market dynamics and the value of commerce on a global scale. Trillions of dollars are exchanged globally between businesses. This evolving global market has put a strain on Customs agencies and other Participating Government Agencies (PGA) to efficiently apply their specific rules and laws. Especially those agencies that lack the capacity to manage the growing stream of parcels and packages.

The Challenge For Small Businesses

Small businesses face challenges understanding and complying various international rules and regulations applicable to their commercial imports and exports. This includes lack of expertise to apply the appropriate tariff classification, which may include a beneficial tariff application or a tax benefit.

Trade policies and laws which govern various Government rules in international trade are not easy to understand and apply. These laws and rules create pervasive barriers to the layman trader. The World Trade Organization (WTO) has tasked its membership to promote trade facilitation and reduce barriers to small businesses participating in international trade.

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Complicated Rules Of Trade

The rules of trade are not static and continue to grow in complexity and coverage as countries engage in additional trade agreements across numerous countries. This results in overly complicated systems, documentation and compliance requirements. It is hard to keep up and feel confident that all bases are covered and benefits and tax breaks realized for small businesses.

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Simplified Importing Processes

Customs agencies are trying to modernize the design and delivery of their specific trade policies so trade is facilitated for big and small business. However, a lot of these changes require legislative reform and the building or rebuilding of electronic systems to include single window applications amongst all applicable government agencies. Countries are at various stages as they progress down this road and even the more advanced countries continue to grapple with these changes and the need to keep up with the growth of global ecommerce.

Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) are working towards simplifying the import process for all trade partners in international trade.  

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Expert Advice You Can Trust

International trade is a complicated process for small and medium businesses. Pacific Customs Brokers can assist you with any and all of your trade questions from importing, exporting, transporting and storage. You can receive advice on all of the requirements and benefits applicable to your business, whether it is importing or exporting.

You can save a lot of headaches and ensure you are compliant with customs, while receiving all of the possible benefits applicable to your goods and your bottom line.

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Disclaimer: While reading, kindly note the date of this blog. At PCB we do our due diligence to write on the most relevant topic every week and naturally content may become dated as developments in a certain program/topic occur. For this reason, we greatly appreciate your readership and hope you continue reading with the posting date in mind. For the latest information on this topic please use our website's search function, or better yet, subscribe to our "Trading Post" newsletter to receive these updates directly to your inbox.
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About the Author
Jan Brock

Jan Brock joined PCB Customs Brokers in 2015 as a Senior Trade Advisor. She retired from Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) in 2015 after serving more than 37 years. Jan started her career with CBSA as a summer student in 1976 and worked part-time until she graduated from U.B.C. with a Bachelor of Education Degree in 1980 . Shortly after graduating from U.B.C. Jan worked full time as an inspector with CBSA and within three years was promoted to Superintendent. She served some time in the Regional Operations office as an Operations Review Officer before she was promoted to Chief of Operations first at the Customs Mail Centre, then in the Metro District as the Commercial Chief and ending her career as a Chief at Pacific Highway Commercial Operations where she served as Chief from 1992 to 2015. During her career she was a member of the Customs Drug Team and a trainer in the National Enforcement Program. Jan also served as the Regional Coordinator Officer Powers and Use of Force for the Pacific Region. Jan served on many Commercial Program Reviews and committees both national and regional during her career and possesses an expansive knowledge of importing and exporting into and from Canada.

While we strive for accuracy in all our communications, as the Importer of Record it is incumbent upon your company to ensure that you are aware of the requirements under the new regulations so that you maintain compliance as always.