Inbound Logistics | July 2022

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work upfront, making sure carriers have everything in order before they get to the border is important. For companies that need help, there are experts who are very knowledgeable about the markets to which they export.” LEVERAGING RESOURCES In addition, Hillman says, both governments provide plentiful online information. “There are terric resources online,” she says, adding that U.S. exporters typically turn to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) website while Canadian exporters are primarily interested in the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) content. For importers, this equation is ipped. For example, on the CBP website, U.S. importers can nd insight on how to request merchandise processing fee refunds after entry if the USMCA treatment was not claimed at the time of entry for eligible goods. Similarly, on the CBSA website, U.S. exporters can nd information on the current low-value shipment thresholds and applicable de minimis duties and taxes.

into force there was no internet, no e-commerce,” she says. “The way we do business today globally wasn’t at all the same. It was important to preserve the open economy between the two countries, and it was also important to modernize the agreement to recognize digital trade and to maintain regulatory cooperation. “We worked hard to nd ways to do what actually matters most to our businesses,” Hillman adds. PLAYING TO MUTUAL STRENGTHS More recently, U.S. President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau jointly created the Canada-U.S. Supply Chain Working Group to enhance collaboration on supply chain issues. The working group is led from the White House through the National Security Council and in Canada through the Privy Council Ofce, the central agency of the Canadian government that supports the prime minister and acts as the secretariat to the Canadian cabinet. Biden and Trudeau established the group in November 2021 “to analyze

supply chain strengths and vulnerabilities and to make sure that we are putting in place systems that make both countries as strong, resilient, and mutually supportive as possible,” Hillman says. On a practical level, for manufacturers to gain the full advantages of the cooperative spirit that exists between Canada and the United States it is vital that they work with logistics providers who understand and appreciate the changing times, rules, and regulations that affect cross-border trade. “Compliance with these requirements should always be a key consideration for manufacturers and shippers,” Hillman says. “Do they have the right permits and licenses from the regulatory agency involved? Is the customs paperwork in order? Are labeling requirements compliant? Due diligence on all compliance requirements is important, as is making sure they get it right the rst time.” Occasional slowdowns at border crossings occur when preparation is lacking. “If a truck gets to the border and doesn’t have the paperwork, that creates a chain reaction,” she says. “Doing the

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