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.

Just like falling in love, when things start to get tricky, you can always lean on your partner here at PCB for guidance, understanding, and support. We’re here to help, and we know exactly what needs to happen to make this a headache-free Valentine’s Day. If you are an importer looking to bring a little bit of romance across the border from the US or abroad, then you can consider this a Valentine’s Day gift from your broker to you. 

The Flower Import Process

Before you go out and buy Customs a bouquet of roses, you should know that they are not as romantic as one might imagine. In the eyes of Customs, flowers are categorized as just another agricultural good. 

All agricultural goods are regulated by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), and some of the romance is taken out of this process because the CFIA’s primary concern is invasive species of both flora and fauna varieties. 

Generally speaking, all agricultural goods are subject to joint scrutiny by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the CFIA. Collectively, they review any flower imports and make determinations on these goods based on type, risk, and any relevant certification they may require. As ever, you are encouraged to work closely with your broker to ensure that you have everything you need to have your flowers enter Canada. 

 Importing Flowers, Step by Step

1. Reach out to your broker to learn the requirements for your import. Importing goods gets more complicated every year, and knowing exactly what the requirements will be, including phytosanitary certificate information, import conditions, and additional instructions, could be the difference between a successful Valentine’s Day import and a disappointing one. 
2. Be sure to review the Pests Regulated by Canada database to see if any common pests are present on your flowers. This could be covered in the discussion in step one, but it is often beneficial to have a clear understanding of what you are heading into, using the broadest available information. 
3. Of course, ensure that your tariff classification and valuation are correct as well. Bear in mind that it can be slightly more complicated with flowers, particularly those in a bouquet, as there are different rules for when different flowers are shipped together. Again, work closely with your broker to ensure you meet all the necessary requirements. 
4. Have your broker provide CBSA and CFIA with a pre-arrival notification via an import declaration, along with all required certificates, prior to arrival at the port of entry. 
5. Wait for the release determination. 

Of course, there are steps here that you can take yourself, but in almost every case, it behooves you to work closely with your broker to ensure that every ‘i’ is dotted and every ‘t’ is crossed. 

Carrier Considerations

Consider your carrier options carefully when importing perishable goods like flowers. Not only do they need to be carefully handled to avoid damaging the petals and stems, but they also need to be transported at a cool temperature as quickly as possible. 

For assistance with this challenge, you are encouraged to contact a trusted freight forwarder, like the team you’ll find at PCB Freight Management. PCB has built a reputation for assisting with the importing of perishable goods, and we are ready to help make sure that your flowers arrive bruise-free and blooms intact.

The Wine Import Process

Canada is well known for its incredible vineyards and wineries, but sometimes an international flavor is what’s called for. Unfortunately, importing alcohol is not as easy as one might imagine. 

Any intoxicating liquor, including wine, is subject to the Importation of Intoxicating Liquors Act. The broad strokes of this act are that wine must be imported “by a board, commission, officer, or governmental agency legally authorized to sell intoxicating liquor.” Every province in Canada has a liquor board, and you will need to work with yours to get your wine across the border. More specifically, this authority must be named as the Importer of Record for the good, and the Canadian receiver needs to be named as the consignee. 

It should go without saying that authorization from the provincial liquor authority must be obtained prior to import. Additional costs could include excise duties and those required in getting an excise license.  

Shipping Wine

As an important note, when it comes to the shipment of wine, the CBSA seals each shipment imported into Canada. Carriers cannot transload these shipments after the seals have been placed unless under the supervision of a CBSA officer. 

The Jewelry Import Process

When it comes to shipping jewelry, the devil resides in the details, and exactly what you are shipping is just as important as how you intend to ship it. Some of the considerations to keep in mind include the following:

• What is it? 
• What is it made of? 
• What is the base metal? 
• Is it plated or solid? 
• Does it include ivory, leather, or other parts of animals or plants that could potentially be regulated by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)? A good example is a watch with an ivory face - a CITES declaration is needed in that case. 
• Does the item include diamonds? If those diamonds are unprocessed, as in the case of Kimberly Rough Diamonds, special regulations as laid out in Memorandum D19-6-4 must be followed.
• Are you thinking of importing loose diamonds to custom-make the perfect piece? Customs Notice 24-05 explains the additional declarations needed for these diamonds.

These details will inform the necessary steps you will need to take, and can vary depending on the answers. It’s a bit of a broken record at this point, but once again, working closely with a broker is the surest way to know that you have what you need to successfully import these goods.

Shipping Jewelry

One of the more ubiquitous benefits of shipping jewelry, regardless of any of the above, is that it’s going to be relatively small, and that matters a great deal when it comes to determining shipping costs. 

With that said, do be cognizant of insurance valuation, and work with a carrier that handles delicate or breakable goods and knows how to package them correctly. A $10,000 necklace getting lost or damaged is worth your due diligence before it's shipped.

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, now is the time to make sure you aren’t going to be giving the gift of a late shipment or a penalty. 

It’s a light and easy holiday, but Customs is not romantic in its outlook. Everything must be done correctly, or there could be delays or even penalties, so one last time - work with your broker to make sure you have what you need. And, if you need help with sourcing, strategy, logistics, or anything related to international trade, be sure to take a look at our suite of Trade Advisory Services, including Government Agency Requirements. We can help you set up for the strategic success you need to make this the best Valentine’s Day ever.