Carson Blog

February 4, 2025

New Tariffs: What To Know

*last updated Feb 16, 2024

U.S.A.

Reciprocal Tariffs (potentially coming late 2025)

President Trump on Thursday afternoon, Feb. 13, announced that it will commence a comprehensive investigation to determine “the equivalent of a reciprocal tariff with respect to each foreign trading partner” on other countries with existing tariffs on U.S. goods.

It appears that any such tariffs will not be levied for at least several months – with the goal to give countries time to either lower or eliminate their tariffs on U.S. goods, according to the White House.

Proposed Tariffs against Canada and Mexico (paused – potentially taking effect March 4, 2025)

A 25% duty will apply to products of Canada and Mexico.

Products of Canada and Mexico will also no longer be eligible for the $800 de minimus threshold and will require a formal entry and duty fees.

Steel and Aluminum Tariffs (taking effect March 12, 2025)

a 25% duty will apply to steel and aluminum products from all countries.

A large number of downstream products containing aluminum and steel will also be subject to the 25% tariff. A list of HS codes is available here for steel and aluminum. The effective date for tariffs on the downstream products is still undecided.

Here is a shortlist of the products included:

– Nearly all of Chapter 73, including gazebos, canopies and the like

– Certain household articles of aluminum

– Steel and aluminum furniture (9403.20.00)

– Parts of lighting (9405.99.40)

– Stoves, ranges, barbecues, etc. and their parts (7321)

– Steel and aluminum cookware

– Aluminum doors, windows, and their frames (7610.10.00)

– Parts for electric water heaters, hair dryers, and similar household appliances (8516.90.8050)

– Some exercise and sporting equipment (9506, 9507)

China and Section 321 (current in place – de minimis paused)

The US administration issued an Executive Order to pause the elimination of duty-free de minimis treatment under 19 U.S.C. 1312 on imports from China and Hong Kong.

The Executive Order states duty-free de minimis treatment under 19 U.S.C. 1312 shall be eligible until notification by the Secretary of Commerce to the President that “adequate systems are in place to fully and expediently process and collect tariff revenue”.

Goods made in China are still subject to the additional ad valorem rates of duty of 10%.

Canada

Canada: Proposed Tariffs (paused – taking effect March 4, 2025)

The Canadian tariffs will target products of the USA based on their HS code, also at a rate of 25%. The list of HS codes can be found here.

For help determining the impact on your business, please reach out to consulting@carson.ca

June 2, 2023

CARM: Granting Carson access to your CARM portal

*These instructions are for clients who already have access to their CARM portal. If you do not yet have access, please see here.

An essential step in setting up for CARM is to grant Carson access to your business account. This is also known as “delegation.” Without access, we may be blocked from clearing your shipments in phase 2 of CARM so please do not delay this important step.

Please follow the below actions:

Navigate to the ‘Manage Pending Third Party Requests’ page of CARM.

Click on ‘received requests’

Click ‘Approve’ on the request from ‘Carson Customs Brokers’

*Note: if you do not see a request from Carson, please write to carm_at_carson.ca

Click on ‘All Programs’

Please select ‘Business Management’ as the access option.

For the ‘transaction visibility rules’, please select all check boxes for full visibility.

This access is optimal for us to provide the best service possible.

You are done! This is the last required step for CARM in Phase 1.

Questions? carm@carson.ca

April 17, 2023

CARM: How to create a user and access your business’ client portal

  1. CLICK HERE: https://ccp-pcc.cbsa-asfc.cloud-nuage.canada.ca/en/homepage

*Navigate to the CARM client portal by clicking the above link and selecting ‘Log in to the CARM Client Portal’

2. Click ‘Option 2: Continue to GCKey’

3. Click ‘Sign Up’

4. Follow the steps to create a user account

This will include verifying your email address, creating security questions, as well as your contact information, language and email notification preferences. Please note that the preferences and contact details in this step are for you only and not for your whole company.

5. Enter your business number as prompted. If you are uncertain of your business number, note that the first nine digits will match your GST number followed by the letters ‘RM’ and your sub-account number, conventionally this is ‘0001’.*

i.e. 888888888RM0001

*You may check a recent invoice/B3 from Carson if you are uncertain.

Within the comments section, please mention your role/title within the company

Important: if your invitation is not accepted within a few business days, please verify that your business profile has been activated. Carson can assist in determining if your business has been registered or not.

6. You’re done!

For any additional questions, please call 888-422-7766, and ask for CARM portal assistance

January 27, 2023

Setting up the CARM Portal: A Walkthrough for Importers

If your business imports into Canada, you will need to have access to your CARM client portal. Please follow the instructions below to gain access to your account. You can find the official CBSA set up guide here.

Please have the B3 for one of your recent import transactions ready. You can find this document in the billing package you receive from Carson.

If you require assistance with any of the following steps, please contact our office and request help with CARM.

  1. Navigate to the CARM client portal and select ‘Log in to the CARM Client Portal’

2. Click ‘Option 2: Continue to GCKey’

3. Click ‘Sign Up’

4. Follow the steps to create a user account

5. Once your individual profile is created, you will be prompted with the ‘First time Setup’ page, from which two options will be available: Request access to my employer, or Register my business. Click ‘Register My Business‘.*

*It is possible one of your colleagues has already created an account for your business. You will be alerted during registration if this is the case (See step 6).

6. During step 5, you may see an error message stating that someone has already activated your business, if that is the case, please follow this guide instead.

7. Enter the business’ legal name and address. Note that the legal name and address must be exact. This will match what the CRA has on file for your business.*

*If you have issues with this section, we recommend you call the CRA for the fastest resolution. Many businesses have old addresses on file with the CRA.

8. Select your preferred security questions. We recommend the following two:

  1. ‘What is the transaction number and total duties and taxes of one of your recent transactions?’
  2. ‘What is the balance of your last Statement of Account?’

9. For the transaction number question, find a recent invoice from Carson and its associated B3.

  • Enter the transaction number (starts with ‘15008’)
  • Enter the total amount of duties and taxes

10. For the SOA question, you may require our assistance as not all importers receive a copy of this statement. You may contact our office if you are uncertain.*

*If you cannot reach us, you can also contact the CARM support desk.

11. Once you have access to the portal, be sure to provide Carson with access so we can continue to serve your account. This can be done by clicking on the ‘Manage pending third party requests’ link.

12. In the ‘Received requests’ tab, you should see a request from Carson.

13. Select ‘All Programs’, and ‘Business Management’ as the access type

14. For transaction visibility, please check all boxes and click the ‘approve’ button.

*if you are uncertain what visibility or access to grant other providers, please contact us! We can explain exactly what these rules mean.

15. You’re done!

For any additional questions, please call 888-422-7766

August 4, 2021

BC Apparel Manufacturers Needed

The Western Economic Diversification BC office is looking for manufacturers who can support a major defence procurement for the products listed below. If you are a BC apparel or accessory manufacturer with specific expertise in these products and can support MOQs of ~1000pcs for each garment type, we want to hear from you:

  • Flight suits
  • Uniforms for flight crews and CSRs (dress pants, white dress shirts, blazer, dresses, skirts)
  • Overalls
  • Class 2 high-vis outerwear (winter wear, rain gear)
  • Polos, t-shirts, sweatshirts, cargo/non-cargo style work pants
  • Accessories (pilot wings, name pins, patches, epaulettes, scarves, neckties safety vests)

Complete details (ie. designs, materials, price range, timing) are still not available and we are simply collecting expressions of interest before the full RFP becomes available.

Interested parties should email hello@bcapparelandgear.com with the subject: “WED Defence Project”. Please ensure to specify your capabilities and the product category / type where you specialize.

July 28, 2021

Market Update: Congestion Surcharges

Shippers might be paying 332% more per box than they were this time last year, yet they’re having to put up with the worst schedule reliability in the history of the shipping container industry.

In the first five months of 2021, 401 vessel arrivals on the transpacific and 144 on Asia-Europe were over 14 days late, according to data from Sea-Intelligence. Putting these numbers in perspective, the combined 2012 to 2020 total of such late vessel arrivals was 388 on the transpacific and 69 on Asia-Europe.

With prices increasing and schedule reliability still an issue, here are a few key updates from the major carriers relating to congestion surcharges —

Hapag-Lloyd

One of the world’s largest shipping companies, Hapag-Lloyd, informed Value Added Surcharge(VAD), says due to the continuation of extraodinary demand from China and the resulting operational challenges along the transport chain, HPL will charge $4000/20’ and $5000/40’ in destination as VAD effective August 15, 2021.

MSC

MSC have announced that they will be collecting a Congestion surcharge payable as a local charge collected effective September 1, 2021 at destination.

The amount is USD 800/20’ 1000/40’ 1125/hc and 1266/45’ and applicable for all equipment types.

Matson

Matson has announced their third increase to USWC Congestion Surcharge effective August 5, 2021, reflecting a $2,000 OSPF increase.

ZIM

With the consistent congestion in U.S. and Canadian Ports, ZIM will implement Port Surcharge and Destination Delivery Charges effective from August 1, 2021.

We’re Here To Help

Keeping in close contact with Carson regarding booking management is essential to mitigating risks. Please reach out to us directly so we can assess your needs and make considerations in the best interest of your business.

Get In Touch
June 30, 2021

Navigating Supply Chain Constraints and Trucking Rates

The capacity issue that has been looming over the trucking market for months is showing no signs of being resolved in any way for the remainder of the year. Strong demand has resulted in rates continuing to rise month over month across van, flatbed and reefer.

The ability for carriers to add capacity is limited by parts shortages that are holding back truck, trailer and chassis production, with the demand for trucking volume expected to continue moving forward as retail sales remain high and retailer inventories remain low. But analysts also see demand outside of retail.

“While not as large as retail in terms of overall freight generation, capital goods spending is freight intensive, and the coming capex boom will certainly benefit freight demand in the next few quarters,” says ACT Research’s Vice President and Senior Analyst, Tim Denoyer.

Carson 3PL Ground Transport Services

Carson is now offering FTL, LTL Ground Transport anywhere in North America. Whether moving in a van, flat deck, step deck, we have you covered.

Employee Spotlight: Marty Sarmiento

Marty joined the Carson Freight Team in October 2020 and brought with him over 15+ years of North American Ground Transport experience. He is familiar with all aspects of ground transport, from a simple pallet, to oversized cargo moving on decks that require permits and pilot cars.Although Carson has always offered Ground Transport, with Marty onboard we have been able to expand our offerings, providing clients with competitive pricing and expert customer service.

Whether you are moving freight within Canada, or importing or exporting cross border with the US, we encourage you to reach out to Marty and our ground team at ground@carson.ca to learn more about how our team can provide options to keep your domestic supply chain running smoothly.

June 28, 2021

Webinar: Countervailing & Antidumping Duties: Canada’s Trade Protectionism Tools

Carson International is pleased to partner with Miller Thomson LLP for another instalment in our webinar series addressing Canada/U.S. cross-border trade developments and updates.

The CBSA recently made preliminary determinations under subsection 38(1) of the Special Import Measures Act (Canada) (“SIMA”), that China and Vietnam had been dumping and subsidizing upholstered domestic seating (“UDS”) entering the Canadian market. We will review the specifics of this case and also provide links to all the present SIMA Actions presently in force.

This webinar will discuss the recent action taken by the CBSA as well as the CBSA’s administration of SIMA. In general, the SIMA investigative process takes about 260 days from the time the CBSA receives a complaint until the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) makes a finding. This webinar will detail the steps that will be taken during this investigative process to determine whether countervailing and/or antidumping duties should be applied.

Join the conversation regarding SIMA in order to optimize duty and tax minimization strategies and reduce customs valuation regulatory risk.

Panelists:

Dave Pentland, Carson International
Dan Kiselbach, Miller Thomson LLP

Webinar Details:

Thursday, July 15, 2021
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. PST

Webinar connection details will be provided by Miller Thomson before the webinar.

R.S.V.P. by July 14, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. PST.

Register Today
June 11, 2021

Webinar: Forced Labour and Human Rights Responsibility

Carson International is proud to sponsor this webinar organized by the Canadian Apparel Federation.

Join the Canadian Apparel Federation and Borden Ladner Gervais LLP for a presentation on forced labour and modern slavery in global supply chains – with a focus on proposed Modern Slavery legislation in Canada.  Given recent customs enforcement in the US and growing concerns expressed by the Canadian government there will be increasing calls for apparel firms to address this issue in their supply chains.

The agenda will include: 

  • What is forced labour?
  • New CUSMA/USMCA and Customs Tariff provisions (what are they; risks and consequences of import control; getting stopped at the border; follow  on complaints; risks re the US)
  • Enforcements trends of similar measures in the US
  • Avoiding customs entanglements: doing human rights due diligence
  • Related Canadian and global legislation (Modern Slavery Acts)

Webinar Details:

Tuesday, June 15, 2021
Time: 2:00 — 3:00pm EDT

Register Today