On July 1, 2026, the US Government declined to renew its trade agreement, in its current form, with Canada and Mexico, or, as it's better known, the ‘Canada-US-Mexico Agreement’ (CUSMA/USMCA/T-MEC).

In 2026, when it comes to importing goods into the US, there are many ways to import goods, but when considering whether a temporary import under bond (TIB) makes sense for you, you are effectively answering which of these two categories makes the most sense for your import:

Let’s imagine a scenario. You are importing agricultural products into the US, where market prices fluctuate constantly, and goods often sit in a warehouse for months before a final sale is locked in. Because of this, when your shipment hits the border, all you have is an estimated value.

The historical origin of General Average can go a long way towards understanding the term, so let’s imagine, for a moment, that we have taken a step back in time. You are a merchant in the late Roman Empire, around 235 AD, and you are suddenly staring down a problem that is nearly as old as the concept of seaborne mercantilism itself. 

Ocean freight is one of the more complex transport options for your goods as they traverse the globe, and understanding the trade terminology is often an uphill battle. However, while we always encourage you to work closely with a freight forwarder through the heavy lifting, understanding this terminology can help you be more informed and make more accurate decisions when building your supply chain.

If you said that all of these situations involve the international travel of non-consumable items intended for re-export, then that is a very specific answer, but it is correct. We would also have accepted that each case, under normal circumstances, involves a mountain of paperwork, reams of forms and documents, and a host of often laborious regulations to work through. The good news is that they will all also benefit greatly from the use of an ATA Carnet, also known as a "Merchandise Passport".

Summer is here at last, and many people are looking to the US for vacation destinations. However, before you hit the road, bear in mind that there is much to consider when crossing into the US, and not the least of which is what you are bringing with you.

It is another glorious summer, and if you’re looking for adventure, then there is no better place to go than the beautiful Canadian frontier! However, entering Canada, even for recreation, comes with rules and regulations, especially regarding what is and isn’t allowed into the country.

Many importers are currently confused about which tariffs are being refunded, which are being newly applied, and what money you can get back from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) right now.

If you are a Canadian business, then you can consider this the sound of opportunity knocking. Right now is the perfect time for your business to start exporting your goods to the wider world, and PCB can help. In this week’s blog, we give an overview of why this is the perfect time to go abroad, along with an introduction to some of the key considerations,

A new announcement from US Customs and Border Protection has indicated that refunds related to tariffs could be coming sooner than we thought. The technology involved, namely the Consolidated Administration and Process of Entries or CAPE system, seems to be evolving quickly, and a release seems imminent.

A common concern we hear from importers today is that they are just importing apples, or some other ‘simple’ import. It’s a lament we have heard many times: Importers who once had their goods sail through Customs quickly and easily now find themselves facing what seems like a dramatic uptick in documentation and regulatory requirements.

We wrote a blog very similar to this one nearly 10 years ago, and it’s a severe understatement to say that a lot has changed since then. Armed with the incredible wealth of information provided by new technology like AI, clients have more information than ever at their fingertips, so where does a customs broker fit into the new modern paradigm?

We have all been there, driving down the highway, enjoying the crisp spring air, when suddenly we are jarred from our reverie by a sudden and unexpected dip or bump in the road. Potholes. This time of year always seems to be the worst for them, and for many people, the why is something of a mystery. Is it the rain? The snow? What is it about early March and April that seems to demand the earth open up and send our tires to splitting?

In a Supreme Court decision, the International Economic Emergency Powers Act (IEEPA) tariffs have been deemed illegal. These were among the most significant of the newly instituted tariffs in the US over the past year and have served as a key tentpole of US trade policy nearly from the very beginning of this administration’s term. During their time in place, it is estimated that importers of all shapes and sizes paid over $133 billion in additional duties. But now that they’ve been overturned, the central question becomes: how do you claim a refund for illegal IEEPA tariffs, and who gets one?

It is once again February, love is in the air, and with it, a sudden influx of flowers, chocolate, and jewelry all arriving at Canadian ports of entry. It’s not uncommon for importers to import special stock or even corporate gifts this time of year, but there are a few things you should know before you get too caught up in the spontaneity of the season, namely, the fact that importing food and flowers is not always a simple task.

A major change is underway at Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and it could have a significant effect on your business. By the time of publication, CBP will have stopped issuing paper cheques, and importers will now receive CBP refunds electronically using the CBP Automated Clearing House (ACH). For most, this will likely be a simplification of the process, and one with less opportunity for human error.

Importer Security Filing (ISF) is one of those subjects in international trade that often takes importers by surprise. It seems simple and straightforward, and it is, but it has caught more than a few Canadian importers off guard in the past. On a fundamental level, an ISF filing is simply a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requirement for ocean shipments. It consists of the details on what goods you have on board a ship, submitted before it ever hits the water. However, it is the who and the how of this process that can be tricky to grasp at first blush, especially when you are looking at what’s involved with ISF for international and Canadian importers.

2025 was a stressful and tumultuous period for virtually every business in North America. Whether it was new trade regulations or the stricter focus on enforcement at Customs, no one can deny that this year has been a serious brake check for businesses of all sizes and shapes.

PCB’s Learning Center stands apart as one of our best free service offerings - providing crucial information about international trade directly from the industry leaders who know it best. The first step is always knowledge, and the Learning Center is here to help give you the tools you need to succeed.

No matter what your feelings are on the year 2025, when it comes to trade, it was eventful. It was a year that saw many new regulations, laws, and establishments of new norms, while old ones were overturned on both sides of the border. More than ever, importers of all stripes were tested on how adaptable their businesses could be in the face of mounting regulations and a brand-new, high-duty environment both in Canada and in the US.

Preparing for and attending trade shows can be one of the most complicated things a business can contend with. There’s nothing quite like showing off your goods to excited audiences around the world, but what do you need to get your goods where they need to go? Is there a trade show import timeline for US and Canada shows? Is the process more involved when you import for a trade show? Is there less? These are all common questions, and the answer, like everything else in the world of international trade, is more complicated than you might imagine.

For new importers, or just importers who are new to importing into the US, the concept of an ‘estimated duty’ on a customs broker’s invoice for duty can sometimes be a bit of a challenge to understand.

Whether you are a large-scale exporting operation or a small business, the Canadian Export Reporting System (CERS) is a vital system to master. This fully electronic system replaced the old Canadian Automated Export Declaration system and has been the Canada Border Services Agency’s (CBSA) system of choice for the management of Canadian export declarations ever since.

As the title might suggest, it is once again time to renew your free trade agreement (FTA) certifications, including your USCMA/CUSMA/T-MEC Certificate of Origin. If you already know what we are talking about, then just consider this a friendly reminder to get your certification in order as you’ve done in the past, and contact your broker to initiate this process as promptly as possible.