🔖 This article is part of the Customs Compliance Guide

Customs Broker (Canada)

Licensed intermediaries who handle the customs clearance process for commercial goods entering Canada.

Type: Trade Intermediary Region: Canada (CBSA)

Overview

Video: What is a Canadian Customs Broker?

A Licensed Customs Broker handles the customs process for commercial shipments to clear going into Canada with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). Traditionally, importers rely on the customs broker to file specific information with customs about the shipment.

Key Responsibilities Include:

Completing required documentation for export shipments.
Clearing shipments of imported goods.
Collecting required duties and taxes.
Preparing customs accounting documents.
Consulting on trade compliance and Free Trade Agreements (e.g., CUSMA/USMCA).

Required Documentation

A Canada Customs Invoice, a required document for PARS shipments

In most cases, it is the Importer or Shipper that provides the shipping documents to the highway carrier, as well as instructions on which customs broker to send the paperwork to.

Carrier Tip: It is recommended for highway carriers to verify with the importer or shipper exactly who the customs broker is and ensure all proper documents are provided before arriving at the border.

Commercial Invoice Requirements

The commercial invoice is the primary document used for clearance and must contain:

Parties: Seller's and Buyer's name, address, and phone number.
Goods: Detailed description of goods (including tariff info and value).
Origin: Country of manufacture of the goods.
Linkage: The PARS barcode label (if clearing as a PARS) affixed to the document.

Depending on the goods, other documentation may be required, such as a Packing List, Certificate of Origin (for free trade agreements), or Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) documentation.

Bill of Lading & Arrival Info

The Bill of Lading

The shipping documents must also include a Bill of Lading (BOL). This is a legal document issued by the highway carrier to the shipper that details the shipment information.

Details: Load number, description of goods, quantity, and weight.
Function: Acts as a title of receipt for the shipped goods and the contract of carriage between the carrier and the shipper.

Communicating Arrival

In addition to the customs documents, the highway carrier must inform the customs broker of the crossing details. This allows the broker to prioritize the entry.

Required Information:

Port: The Canadian port of arrival.
ETA: The estimated time and date of arrival.

Note: In most cases, this information is written directly below the carrier's PARS barcode label on the commercial invoice or bill of lading before it is faxed or emailed to the broker.