Trade News

The following message is from CBSA (EDI10-034). The exchange rate, effective May 4, 2010, for Myanmar (Burma) Kyat (MMK), has been revised. The correct rate should have read 0.1792 for May 4, 2010. Using the incorrect exchange rate will cause an error in the value for duty. The CCS system has been updated to show the correct exchange rate for this period.

The following was reported on in the 4 May 2010 edition of "WorldTrade Interactive". The Department of Homeland Security recently issued its semiannual regulatory agenda, which includes the following actions affecting international trade.

The following is excerpted from the 2 May 2010 edition of "The Star". This editorial was written by Arthur Donner, a Toronto economic consultant, and Doug Peters, the former chief economist of the Toronto-Dominion Bank. ...The Canadian dollar recently moved above parity with the U.S. currency, and the general consensus is that it will stay high (i.e. close to or above parity) for some time. In the past, this would have been a matter of considerable concern for Canada, especially for our manufacturing industries.

The following is excerpted from the 30 April 2010 edition of "globeandmail.com". The federal government may be headed for a smaller deficit than it feared in the just past year, thanks to a quicker and stronger than expected recovery in economic activity. Ottawa reported Friday that its deficit increased by a modest $902-million in February, compared to a $800-million surplus a year ago. For the fiscal year — which has one more month to run — Ottawa's shortfall has now risen to $40.5-billion.

On Victoria Day, Monday, May 24, 2010, Canadian Pacific will be operating over-the-road trains to maintain network fluidity and balance. If you are normally provided local service on this day and will be open and require cars to be placed at or lifted from your facility, please notify your Customer Service Account Representative at 1-888-333-8111 by Thursday, May 6, 2010.

On Memorial Day, Monday, May 31, 2010, Canadian Pacific will be operating over-the-road trains to maintain network fluidity and balance. If you are normally provided local service on this day of week and will be open and require cars to be lifted or placed at your facility, please notify your Customer Service Account Representative at 1-888-333-8111 by Thursday, May 6, 2010.

A HACCP letter issued by CFIA is required for each shipment of fish and fish products exported from Canada to Vietnam. All federally registered establishments are eligible to obtain a copy of the letter from their local CFIA office. The HACCP letter must be printed on CFIA letterhead, signed by an inspector, stamped and crimped. This information has been added to the CFIA website at: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/fispoi/export/cert10/vieviee.s….

Please be advised that CP has taken the steps to transition International Intermodal customers from tariff 7800 to the Corporate set of Standard Tariffs, effective June 1, 2010. These tariffs support our focus on fluidity and makes CP easier to do business with, by creating a standardized document containing supplemental services fees for all Intermodal shipments on CP’s network.

The following is excerpted from the 3 May 2010 edition of Reuters Canada. The Canadian government aims to identify savings this year of C$1.7 billion ($1.68 billion) as part of its plan to reduce the budget deficit, Treasury Board President Stockwell Day said on Monday. Day told reporters the government will conduct a strategic review this year of C$35 billion in spending across 13 government departments and agencies, with the goal of shaving 5 percent off spending in each.

This memorandum outlines and explains the conditions under which a settler may import goods into Canada for personal or household use without the payment of duties. Revisions Revisions made to this memorandum are the result of a need for clarification which is achieved by updating the Accounting for Goods section of Guidelines and General Information. The update clarifies which immigration documents issued to a traveller are to be cross-referenced with the Form B4, Personal Effects Accounting Document.

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) assists Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (FAITC) with the administration of the United Nations Act, the Special Economic Measures Act, the Export and Import Permits Act and associated Regulations. This memorandum outlines the key elements of the legislation administered by the CBSA. Revisions The memorandum has been updated to include Regulations Implementing the United Nations Resolution on Eritrea.

The following is excerpted from the 30 April 2010 news release by DFAIT. The Honourable Peter Van Loan, Minister of International Trade, took his free trade message to Toronto’s business community today in support of a Canada-European Union comprehensive economic and trade agreement. In a keynote speech to the Economic Club of Canada he said Canadians stand to benefit from strengthened economic ties with the European Union, the world’s wealthiest single common market.

The following message is from CBSA on behalf of CFIA (EDI10-033 Update). The Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) is now back up and running. Thank you for your co-operation during this time.

Chapter 44 was published to streamline the requirements for the following HS Codes. 44.03.20.0128.04 - Pine - other products such as logs - untreated 44.18.60.0143.04 - Pine - posts and beams - non-tropical wood, coniferous - with bark

The following message is from CBSA on behalf of CFIA (EDI10-033). Please be advised that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) is down. Please note, this does not impact the processing of CFIA EDI transactions. At the moment, we are unable to predict when service will be restored however we will keep you informed as information becomes available. For assistance, please contact one of the Import Service Centres (ISC). We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your cooperation.

CFIA AIRS Website is now available The following message is from CBSA on behalf of CFIA (EDI10-033 Update). The Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) is now back up and running. Thank you for your co-operation during this time.

Update to CFIA AIRS Website Chapter 44 was published to streamline the requirements for the following HS Codes. 44.03.20.0128.04 - Pine - other products such as logs - untreated 44.18.60.0143.04 - Pine - posts and beams - non-tropical wood, coniferous - with bark

CFIA AIRS Website is down The following message is from CBSA on behalf of CFIA (EDI10-033). Please be advised that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) is down. Please note, this does not impact the processing of CFIA EDI transactions. At the moment, we are unable to predict when service will be restored however we will keep you informed as information becomes available. For assistance, please contact one of the Import Service Centres (ISC).

Topic: Non-Resident Importers – GST Issues –CA numbers Presented by: John Pajek, Senior Manager – Trade and Custom Practice KPMG Date: 13 May 2010 Time: 3:00 – 6:00 Location: 4 Points Sheraton Hotel (formerly Day’s Hotel & Conference Centre) 6257 Airport Road Mississauga, ON. L4V 1E4 Everyone is welcome! CCS designates will earn 5 CCS points for attendance.