General FAQ's
What is a Customs Broker?
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. Refer to our page on the Role of the Customs Brokers for more
information.
Do I have to use a customs broker at all?
No. If you want to represent yourself in processing your shipments through Canada Customs, you have the right to do this.
What are the advantages of using a customs broker?
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. Refer to our page on the Role of the Customs Brokers for more information.
Can I import anything I want?
No. Canada Customs administers the regulations of some 60 other Canadian government departments. Some of these other departments, along with Canada Customs, may prohibit the importation of certain products. A lot of these are obvious and the list of prohibited items would include, but are not limited to: handguns, drugs, pornography, products made from endangered species and so on. It is best to check with a customs broker prior to placing an order to ensure that your product will be allowed into Canada.
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This page last updated Wednesday, July 7, 2004