Customs News & Information

A D Rutherford & Co Ltd
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Advances for Canada's trade community at the land border

Ottawa, Ontario, November 1, 2010

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) today announced the implementation of the first stage of the eManifest initiative, a major Crown project that will change the way commercial goods coming into Canada are processed.

As of today, electronic data interchange (EDI) systems are now available for highway carriers who can now transmit their pre-arrival cargo and conveyance data to the CBSA before arriving at the border.

"eManifest is part of the overall measures the CBSA is putting in place to enhance the safety and security of Canadians and international trade while streamlining cross-border processes," said Cathy Munroe, Vice-President, Programs Branch. "Moving goods quickly, reliably and securely across the border is critical to Canada's prosperity and economic competitiveness."

This advance information will allow border services officers to detect potential health, safety and security risks before goods reach Canada. It will also allow low-risk, legitimate goods to cross the border more efficiently.

This first milestone is one of several more to come. In 2011, the CBSA will offer a secure eManifest Portal transmission option that will allow for the electronic transmission of highway carrier data through the Internet. Then later in 2011, eManifest will be offered in the rail mode and then to freight forwarders. Importers in the marine mode may begin transmission of advance trade data in 2012.

When fully implemented, eManifest will be a virtually paperless process that starts before shipments even reach the border.

A Slowdown in Trade, but a Pickup in Services

This article is excerpted from the 6 August 2010 edition of “The New York Times”.

The rebound in trade that bolstered world growth in late 2009 and early this year appears to have ended, leaving the manufacturing sector in many countries with the prospect of slower growth.

Surveys of manufacturing and service companies in countries around the world, released this week, indicated that growth in services, by contrast, had accelerated in many countries, including the United States.

The biggest gains early in the recovery were reported by Asian manufacturers, but those have now slowed. More Chinese manufacturers reported declining orders than increasing ones in both June and July. Taiwan’s orders turned down in July, but South Korean and Indian companies were still reporting growing order books.

In Europe, some euro zone economies continue to report sharply rising orders, most notably Germany. Even in Greece, where the proportion of companies reporting declining orders has been overwhelming, the picture became a little less bleak in July. Orders are rising for British manufacturers as well, although Mr. Williamson said he was concerned that that could change as the government imposed its austerity budget.

Government of Canada Regains Important Market Access to Mexico

The following is excerpted from the 4 August 2010 news release by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

Ottawa, Ontario, August 4, 2010 – Canadian poultry genetics exporters will again have access to the lucrative Mexican market since the doors were closed following the March 2004 outbreak of avian influenza. Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz made the announcement today following numerous exchanges and high-level interventions with the Mexican Government….

Mexico is an important market for Canadian exporters of poultry and related products. Imports of day old chicks and poults and hatching eggs to Mexico from all countries reached $18.2 million in 2009.

Due to this new agreement, Canadian industry estimates that exports of these products from Canada could potentially reach $2 million annually….

In 2009, Canadian agri-food exports to Mexico were $1.5 billion.

Disclaimer: The information we feature does not necessarily reflect our opinion on a given international trade issue. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information noted in the daily e-mail, government policies are constantly evolving. A.D. Rutherford & Co. Ltd. cannot assume any responsibility for actions taken solely or principally on the basis of the information provided.