Time is everything when it comes to doing business. Dealing in imports for commercial purposes can be a complicated affair, considering international trade is subject with endless laws, rules, and regulations, which change every now and then. A wise idea is to get in touch with a customs broker, who can do the homework for your company, take care of the documentation and paperwork, so that goods can be procured as quickly as possible. When you choose toimport to Canada with Clearit, or similar known brokers, you get their expertise on your side. In this post, we are decoding the time required to import goods to Canada.
The process
Once you have paid for the goods, you should be able to procure them from the Customs to do business and make profits. That’s the ideal world, but in practice, it may take anywhere between a day to many weeks to procure imports, depending on what you are importing and other things. If your customs broker is capable of completing the process and due paperwork in time, it may take as less as 20 minutes for CBSA to receive the same. The customs officer will then review the papers and take a call on whether the goods can be allowed in the country. This is one step where customs broker or anyone has no say at all – Only customs officers can take a call on the same, and it also depends on the pressure at port, which may mean more time.
Goods in inspection
In some cases, imports may be subjected to inspection before clearance. The process for the same involves placing the goods in a warehouse, which will be then inspected by customs officers. The traffic of imports largely determines how long it may take in the warehouse, but expect at least a day or two required in the process.
Rejection of imports
Even when the paperwork has been completed by the customs broker, there is a high chance that imports may be rejected. If the documentation and processes have been adhered to, there is no reason to worry on this, but in some cases, Customs will inform brokers for paperwork changes that are required. Permanent rejections are more complicated, and are often related to declarations, not valuing the shipment, or in case the imports do not match the norms.
Permanent rejections must be then addressed – Either CBSA will destroy the goods, or you can choose to ship back the goods to supplier.
