GHY Tradelines

Rick Riess Shares Insights on Doing Business in Canada at Centrallia 2010

In October 2010, the Centrallia Global B2B Forum came to Winnipeg, Manitoba hosted by the law firm Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP (“TDS”). With over 600 registered attendees from countries as far afield as Argentina, India, France and China, the event was widely regarded as a success.

At the opening general session for all attendees, GHY International president Rick Riess delivered a presentation focused on the international trade aspects of doing business in Canada.

(World Trade Interactive)

The Department of Commerce and the Small Business Administration have launched a new online tool designed to help small businesses begin exporting to foreign markets. The tool consists of a six-step process that begins with a self-assessment to help potential exporters gauge their readiness to successfully engage in international trade. Read more here.

(CBC News)

The soaring loonie has the Canada Border Services Agency bracing for an estimated 40 per cent rise in the number of Manitobans heading to the U.S. to shop this weekend.

The crush of cross-border shoppers has one enterprising North Dakota retailer promising low-cost delivery to Winnipeg.

The trans-border traffic projection is based on a spike in the number of Manitobans who headed south on the weekend following Remembrance Day. More than 5,000 Manitobans visited the U.S. on that weekend.

Border officials said the Port of Emerson saw the highest increase in Remembrance Day weekend traffic across the Prairies. Officials believe the Canadian dollar being almost par with the U.S. dollar has more people shopping south of the border. Read more here.

Related:
• Be thankful if you avoid bridge gridlock this weekend (Niagara Gazette)
• Black Friday’s tentacles reach over border (The Standard)
• Cross-border shopping: You do declare (CBC News)

(CFIA)

Reminder – New Requirements: Attestation of Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) federal produce licence number or Dispute Resolution Corporation (DRC) membership number.

Under the Licensing and Arbitration Regulations, Canadian purchasers of fresh fruit and vegetables are required to be licensed with the CFIA and/or be a member of the DRC, if they are not exempt from the Regulations.

On December 1, 2010, the CFIA federal produce licence number, or alternatively the Canadian DRC membership number, or a declaration of exemption will be required to be part of the submission of import documentation for shipments of fresh fruits and vegetables coming to Canada. This will improve the information available regarding the identity of the importers and traceability of product.

Importers submitting information for paper release will be required to enter the above information on the Confirmation of Sale (COS) form in box 22.

Importers transmitting information through Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) will be required to enter their federal produce licence number, their DRC membership number or indicate that they are exempt from the requirements of the Licensing and Arbitration Regulations in the “Registration Requirements” field. In those cases where the importer is a non-resident importer, the Canadian consignee’s federal produce licence or DRC membership number must be entered.

Please refer to our previous posting on this matter for additional details.