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  • Workplace Type: On-site

Trade Knowledge Essentials

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

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.
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.

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.
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.

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.

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.
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.

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.
Less than Container Load (LCL)
Denotes the container has cargo that is shipped by many shippers for delivery to many consignees.

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.
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.

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