Mastering Canadian Imports: 3 Steps to Compliance

The Special Import Measures Act, commonly referred to as SIMA, provides protection to Canadian producers who are being harmed by the dumping or subsidizing of goods imported into Canada (Source: Statement of administrative practices for the Special Import Measures Act). The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) are jointly responsible for administering SIMA. 

Here are 3 quick steps you can familiarize yourself with the process of importing commercial goods into Canada and the importance of customs compliance. 

Consult the list on CBSA’s website which is regularly updated by the Government of Canada as necessary to reflect the status of duty liability.  

If the information remains unclear, you can communicate with the assigned Compliance Officer or seek professional guidance by reaching out to your Customs Broker for specific advice based on your circumstances. 

TIP: SIMA Findings may undergo adjustments due to ongoing investigations and trade conflicts. It’s important to ensure you have the latest information when importing to Canada by consulting the CBSA website. 

Don’t get caught off guard! Keep all your import documents such as B3’s, purchase orders, commercial invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, certificates of origin, technical documents, drawings, sales literature, etc.  

The CBSA may require you to provide these to determine the subjectivity of goods and the duties that ought to be paid. (Source: Importer obligations and responsibilities) 

If your goods are subject to anti-dumping or countervailing measures, it is recommended to conduct a self-assessment prior to importing goods into Canada by consulting the following CBSA guide: What you should know about dumping and subsidy investigations.

This guide provides you with an overview of Canada's anti-dumping and countervailing investigative processes and can serve as a guide to fulfill your duties as an importer of goods subject to SIMA duties.

 

 

Looking for more information? Watch our on-demand video to learn more about the intricacies of SIMA and how it impacts international trade while discovering strategies to navigate the regulatory landscape effectively and avoid penalties.