Blog
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7 Reasons Your Shipment Gets Stuck at the Canada–US Border (And How a Customs Broker Can Help)
April 8, 2026
Cross-border trade between Canada and the United States moves more than $1 trillion in goods every year. Most shipments move smoothly through the border, but when delays happen, they can disrupt delivery schedules, increase costs, and create frustration for importers. In many cases, shipments get held at the border because of compliance or documentation issues, […]
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Supply Chain Resilience in 2026: How Global Disruptions Are Reshaping Freight and Customs
March 25, 2026
For years, global supply chains were built around efficiency. Move goods quickly, minimize cost, and keep freight flowing. Today, the focus has shifted. Businesses are now designing supply chains around resilience. Geopolitical tensions, tariff changes, port congestion, rising freight costs, and evolving customs requirements are reshaping global logistics. For Canadian importers and exporters, these disruptions […]
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Incoterms Explained for Canadian Importers: What Vancouver Businesses Need to Know
March 11, 2026
Three letters.Big consequences. EXW. FOB. DAP. CFR. If you’re importing into Vancouver and you’re not 100% sure what those mean for your business, this matters more than you think. As a Vancouver customs broker, one of the first questions we ask is: “What Incoterm are you shipping under?” Because that one answer determines who pays, […]
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How to Become a Non-Resident Importer (NRI) in Canada: A Practical Guide for Businesses Expanding Into Canada
February 25, 2026
Expanding into Canada without setting up a physical presence? You may need to become a Non-Resident Importer (NRI). At Ramsay, we’re asked this often, especially by U.S. and international companies selling into Alberta and Western Canada. Here’s a straightforward guide your team can use as a reference. What Is a Non-Resident Importer (NRI)? A Non-Resident […]
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Inside CBSA Trade Verifications: What Importers Need to Get Right
February 11, 2026
Trade compliance in Canada has evolved. Today, the Canada Border Services Agency uses Trade Verifications to review how imports are classified, taxed, and documented over time. These are structured audits designed to confirm that import decisions are accurate, consistent, and properly supported. Working with an experienced customs broker can help ensure those decisions are defensible […]
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Why Customs Data Accuracy Is Non-Negotiable in 2026 for Vancouver Importers
January 28, 2026
In 2026, customs doesn’t just process shipments, it analyzes them. And when the data doesn’t add up, things slow down fast. This shift is being felt acutely by Vancouver importers, especially those clearing goods through the Port of Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. Customs clearance in Canada has changed, not overnight, but steadily. As systems […]
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Why January Is the Most Misunderstood Month in Global Shipping
January 14, 2026
January has a reputation in global shipping for being “quiet.” Peak season has passed, volumes appear lighter, and many importers assume it’s a temporary pause before things return to normal. That assumption is expensive. In reality, January is one of the most influential months in the shipping calendar. Decisions made now, around capacity, routing, customs […]
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Precision Over Volume: How Smart Importers Are Adapting in 2026
December 31, 2025
For years, success in global trade was often measured by one thing: volume.More containers. More shipments. More movement. But 2026 is proving that mindset is outdated. Import volumes may be softer than previous years, but that doesn’t mean importing is easier. In fact, tighter margins, disciplined carrier capacity, regulatory pressure, and lingering uncertainty mean the […]
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Don’t Sleep on This: Lunar New Year 2026 Will Hit Your Supply Chain Sooner Than You Think.
December 17, 2025
If You Import From Asia, December Is Your Real Deadline, Not February Most importers treat the Lunar New Year like a February problem.But here’s the truth nobody wants to say out loud: If you’re not preparing in December, you’re already behind. Lunar New Year shuts down factories across Asia, triggers blank sailings, squeezes capacity, and […]
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What Happens When a Canadian Customs & Logistics Team Goes International? A Lot.
December 3, 2025
From Hanover to Ho Chi Minh: Ramsay Went Global And Here’s What We Learned While most people were preparing for winter, the Ramsay team was racking up miles, name tags, and airline snacks, because global trade doesn’t slow down, and neither do we. This fall, we hit two major international events shaping how Canadian businesses […]
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The Rising Cost of Storage and Demurrage: How Smart Customs Planning Saves You Money
November 19, 2025
The Hidden Cost of Waiting When your shipment sits still, your costs don’t. Storage and demurrage charges have become a silent profit drain for Canadian importers. Whether your cargo is held at a port, terminal, or bonded warehouse, every extra day on the ground racks up fees that could have been avoided with the right […]
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Top 5 Customs Documentation Errors That Delay Canadian Imports
November 5, 2025
Why Documentation Still Decides Everything In customs clearance, accuracy isn’t optional, it’s everything. Even a small paperwork error can trigger an inspection, delay your cargo, or lead to penalties that eat into profit margins. And as import volumes climb through Canada’s busiest ports, brokers are seeing the same preventable mistakes again and again. Whether you […]
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