- Workplace Type: On-site
FAQs & Lingo
Customs Brokerage
FAQs
What is a customs broker?
[in Canada] Licensed by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), a customs broker may act as an agent for commercial businesses importing product to Canada in order for a shipment to be released by Canada Customs and 9 participating government agencies (PGA’s), such as Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Health Canada or Transport Canada, all of which may require forms and documents to be supplied to them. A Harmonized System Tariff classification number must be applied to each product imported. This code determines the rate of duties and taxes that must be paid to CBSA.
[in U.S.] A customs broker is licensed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to conduct CBP business on behalf of importers who give the broker power of attorney to act as an agent for their commercial businesses importing product into the USA. This includes, but is not limited to, government agencies such as CBP, FDA, NHTSA, EPA, USDA and USFWS. All required documents and forms must be supplied to these agencies with a Harmonized System Tariff classification number for each product imported. This code determines the rate of duties and taxes that must be paid to the U.S. Treasury department through CBP.
With all the changing rules and regulations in cross-border transactions, it makes good business sense to use a customs broker
What is the advantage of using a customs broker?
Can we import our goods without the services of a customs broker?
Do I need a customs broker for personal goods?
What does it cost to use a customs broker?
If our company uses the services of a competing customs broker, what steps are involved with switching to use Cole International?
What paperwork is required?
How do I pay Duties and Taxes?
What makes Cole International stand above other customs brokers and logistics companies?
Can a shipper / exporter from Canada take responsibility for all the fees associated when goods are exported from Canada?
Can a shipper / exporter into Canada take responsibility for all the fees associated when goods are imported into Canada?
Should our company use several different customs brokers, depending on the mode of transportation or the location of the entry?
When shipping goods by courier, is it recommended that we use the customs brokerage services provided by that of a courier even though we use a different customs broker for our truck, air and sea freight shipments?
At which Customs ports can Cole International clear goods?
When shipping goods by courier, is it recommended that we use the customs brokerage services provided by that of a courier even though we use a different customs broker for our truck, air and sea freight shipments?
Are there restrictions on what items can be brought into Canada?
Can Cole International review my entries done by other customs brokers to ensure compliance?
What if my current customs broker mis-classifies my goods?
Is Cole International able to assist with the exporting of goods out of Canada?
Can Cole assist in making transportation arrangements for our goods?
Can Cole International educate my staff and I on responsibilities, documentation requirements and regulations of customs procedures?
Learn the Canadian Customs Brokerage Lingo
ACI (Advanced Commercial Information) eManifest
Providing the CBSA with electronic pre-arrival cargo information, so they are equipped to screen health, safety and security threats related to commercial goods before the goods arrive in Canada.
AES (Automated Export System) Vehicle Filing
Annual Importer Direct Security (IDS) Bond
ATA Carnet
B3 Canada Customs Form Preparation
Bill of Lading (BOL) Preparation
Canada Customs Invoice (CCI) Preparation
Canadian Vehicle Compliance
CBSA Daily Notice (DN) & Electronic Statement of Account (EDI SOA) Reconciliation
ColePac Small Parcel Service
Courier Low Value System (CLVS) Processing
Customs Clearance
Customs Entry Preparation
A customs entry is an official declaration of specific information regarding imported merchandise that customs brokers complete on behalf of the importer. The customs entry provides information such as: country of origin, description of the goods, value of the goods, adjustments such as insurance, freight and packaging costs, harmonized system classification number, and amount of duties and taxes on the goods.
EDI (Electronic Data Interchange)
Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) Release
Export Documentation
Global Affairs Canada (GAC) Permit Application
Importer Direct Security (IDS) Program
Integrated Import Declaration (IID – SO911)
Non-Resident Importer (NRI) Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bond
Ocean Shipment Handling
PARS (Pre-Arrival Release System)
Single Window Initiative (SWI)
Special Import Measures Act (SIMA)
Learn the U.S. Customs Brokerage Lingo
ACE (Automated Commercial Environment) eManifest
A secure online portal used to provide cargo detail to CBP prior to shipment arrival.
ColePac Small Parcel Service
Customs Clearance
Customs Entry Preparation
Delivery Order
EDI (Electronic Data Interchange)
Export Documentation
Gap Period Entries
In-Bond
Preparation of documents to allow shipments to move after arrival at the first port of entry, to another area in the United States, where they will be cleared by U.S. Custom and Border Protection (CBP) or exported out of the United States.
ISF (Importer Security Filing) Submission (10+2 and 5+2)
Marking Violations and Mitigation
Partner Government Agency (PGA) Submissions
Steel and Aluminum License Application
Surety Bond: Continuous Customs Bond
Surety Bond: Single Transaction Bond
Temporary Importation Bond (TIB)
Freight Forwarding
FAQs
Why use Cole’s freight forwarding services?
Cole employs industry professionals in the various modes of transportation including: air, ocean, truck and rail. This industry experience allows us to have market and carrier knowledge, and to have volume purchasing strength that an individual shipper cannot often achieve.
Why use a freight forwarder rather than booking directly with a carrier?
Can Cole assist with non-standard transportation requirements?
What are Incoterms?
Learn the Ground Freight Lingo
Our ground freight forwarding services cover two types of transportation:
- Transborder, or shipments crossing or extending across the U.S., Canadian and Mexican border;
- Domestic, or shipments moving within either Canada or the U.S.
Cargo Insurance
Protects your investment, and covers your goods for loss, damage, or delay. Without cargo insurance, all cargo is handled, stored, and carried at the shipper's, owner’s, and consignee's risk.
Courier
Expedited Shipments
A delivery method that drastically reduces the time it takes a shipment to reach its intended destination. It comes at a higher price than standard shipping and is usually the quickest service. Most products can be delivered via expedited shipping, but some products are better suited to this rapid fulfillment process than most.
Export Documentation
Full Truckload (FTL)
Less Than Truckload (LTL)
Rail/Intermodal
Learn the Ocean Freight Lingo
Breakbulk
A common method used to successfully transport cargo or goods that cannot fit in standard-size shipping containers or cargo bins. Instead, cargo is transported in bags, boxes, crates, drums, barrels, other handling equipment, or is simply rolled, lifted, or pushed onto a ship or barge. Equipment or goods that are tedious to break down or oversized can benefit from breakbulk shipping. Instead of breaking down the product to fit into a container or bin, the shipper can send the item in its entirety.
Cargo Insurance
Expedited Shipments
Export Documentation
Full Container Load (FCL)
Less than Container Load (LCL)
Denotes the container has cargo that is shipped by many shippers for delivery to many consignees.
Letters of Credit (L/C)
Roll On, Roll Off (RoRo) Freight
Vessel Charters
Learn the Air Freight Lingo
Air Charters
A flight that is not part of an airline's published schedule. For example, an airline will not post on its website that the airline will operate a flight from Point A to Point B at 3pm every Wednesday. Instead, charter flights are typically operated for specific unscheduled itineraries.
Cargo Insurance
Courier
Expedited Shipments
A delivery method that drastically reduces the time it takes a shipment to reach its intended destination. It comes at a higher price than standard shipping and is usually the quickest service. Most products can be delivered via expedited shipping, but some products are better suited to this rapid fulfillment process than most.
Export Documentation
Hand Carry