Customs compliance

Customs compliance: Best practices

Master HS codes

Import-export assistance

Mastering the ins and outs of customs compliance

W2C can help you adopt best practices

The various trade agreements signed between Canada and multiple countries aim to promote and facilitate international trade. However, it is important to follow the rules to avoid any penalties. W2C can help you in these steps, whether in the form of advice, assistance, verifications or audit simulations.

Be prepared for any situation

Our experts offer customs consultancy services that will allow you to develop or maintain good customs compliance practices within your company and prepare you for possible customs audits.

As a Canadian importer, it is essential to ensure that all your practices follow Canada customs regulations to avoid penalties that could prove costly. Therefore, it is very important to make sure that your import documentation is compliant.

What is customs compliance?

There are basically four pillars of customs compliance: customs classification (“harmonized code” or “HS code”), determination of origin, determination of value and audit trails. These have a direct impact on the duties and taxes to be paid and penalties that the customs authorities may impose on you if, during an audit, there is reason to believe that your transactions are incorrect and that these were not rectified within the prescribed timeframe.

Customs audits are a reality, and it is best to prepare yourself to reduce your level of risk. Generally, the customs authorities will establish the sectors of activity covered by the audits throughout the following year. Audits can also be triggered by the discovery of an erroneous transaction in a specific sector of activity. The customs authorities will then locate a checklist of importers likely to follow this type of transaction. Therefore, it is essential for any importer to find out how to declare in-bond goods.

Our customs consultants can help you reduce your risk level by conducting a pre-audit of your customs transactions, which will allow you to identify weaknesses in the classification of your goods, establish their value and their origin. Moreover, customs compliance can save you a lot of money in duties and taxes. Make sure you determine the correct HS codes for your import and export goods. Declared values must be accurate, as well as the origin of the goods. The more emphasis you put on customs compliance, the more you will reduce your level of risk.

Consultation services offered by W2C

Here are some of the customs compliances services that our custom consultants offer:

Note that W2C also offers customs compliance and classification training that can be very beneficial to you. Visit our customs training site to learn more.

our experts

Yves Lacelle

Strategic Advisor - Business Development and Training

With over 40 years of experience in the customs field, Yves has a very thorough understanding of everything related to this environment. His meetings with companies from all over the world have allowed him to acquire an extensive knowledge of international trade. He has given several seminars and customs training courses to companies and has found solutions for clients having problems with customs authorities.

Guiding a team to provide the best customer service bears no secrets for Yves. His ability to communicate and educate his business partners makes him a golden ally for those who aspire to comply with customs regulations.

Marc Ticehurst

Customs and Trade Policy Advisor

With over 25 years of experience in customs brokerage, transportation and logistics, Marc has acquired a solid expertise in improving logistics and customs performance for Canadian importers and exporters. Customer relationship management, consulting and business development are subjects that fascinate him.

His in-depth knowledge of customs rules and programs and international agreements make Marc a valuable advisor to all W2C clients.

Ginette Ste-Croix

Senior Consultant - Director Customer Service

With 35 years’ experience in the Customs community, Ginette is a renowned expert in the field. Her areas of expertise include documentation and regulatory requirements, customs compliance and international trade policies and procedures.

Her strong relational skills, which have allowed her to manage many teams during her professional career, prove that Ginette is a natural leader. Her well filled expertise and background makes her the ideal consultant for W2C customers and the perfect person to ensure optimal Customer Service.

Related Trainings

Customs Compliance I: Overview

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Customs Compliance II: Intermediate

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Our services

New importers

read more

Duties and taxes

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CTPAT and PIP

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Free trade agreements

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