“Together with PF Collins International Trade Solutions, Robert Hardy of Hardy Fish Co Ltd., the Gander International Airport Authority, and Allied Aviation Services Company, we have been able to leverage close geographic proximity to the supply and Gander International Airport and build new infrastructure that delivered these premium products to global markets in record time.”

He also noted that partners such as Eastern Fish Markets and Happy Adventure Sea Products are world-class seafood processors that work with elite harvesters who are catching the highest quality lobsters in the world.

“We have demonstrated to our European customers that they will receive the highest quality product from us. Without Bob Hardy’s persistence, experience and encouragement, we would not have stayed with this project. His support was instrumental,” Roche said.

Whitecap would also like to recognize their partner and customers in Spain that have been instrumental in guiding the project.

While the project’s start was considered a success, Roche emphasized that the real work starts now.

“With our partners, Whitecap will quickly expand the species we can ship live and fresh and the destinations that we will service as a collective group. Timing could not be better given the recent large increase in Atlantic cod quotas, so this species will be a big part of our future shipments.”

Mark Wheaton, General Manager of Eastern Fish Markets, underscored the launch’s importance in shaping the province’s identity in the global seafood industry.

“It’s a milestone for the Newfoundland and Labrador Lobster fishery – the beginning of finally selling Newfoundland and Labrador Lobster as ‘Newfoundland and Labrador Lobster’ and not having our lobster branded as someone else’s once we sell it. To the harvesters that continue to support Eastern Fish Markets with Grade A quality lobster, my hat is off to every single one. Without this product, this could not have been possible.”

Eastern Fish Markets specialize in premium Newfoundland & Labrador wild lobster sourced from first-class harvesters who ensure superior quality.

“Our team of harvesters source these animals from the cold, clean waters of the North Atlantic, which are considered to be one of the healthiest ocean habitats in the world. We are committed to community values, animal welfare, and environmental sustainability, emphasizing careful handling of live harvest to maintain quality.”

Raymond Collins, President of PF Collins, stressed the importance of speed and precision in maintaining that quality.

“When global trade shifts overnight, the only solution is to move faster. This project gives our seafood exporters a direct runway to premium international markets. PF Collins is proud to support the logistics planning, aircraft bookings, and freight forwarding documentation that help get our province’s top-tier seafood into the hands of global buyers quickly and efficiently.”

Roche added that this project is a powerful example of how public and private sectors can work together to achieve a common goal. The project partners acknowledge the valuable advice and support of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, the Atlantic Fisheries Fund, the Department of Industry, Energy and Technology, and the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture.

“Every participating partner played an essential role in turning this vision into reality, and the project stands as a model for future collaborations focused on sustainability, innovation, and economic growth,” he said.

While the inaugural flight was focused on lobster destined for the Spanish market, the broader strategy includes expansion into France, the United Kingdom, and eventually, high-value Asian markets like South Korea and Japan. This plan not only provides short-term protection for Newfoundland and Labrador’s seafood industry but also creates the opportunity for the province to establish long-lasting, resilient trade corridors for the years ahead. The consortium looks forward to delivering premium-quality, fresh North Atlantic cod from Newfoundland and Labrador to many customers across Europe this fall.

As the Gander seafood hub continues to evolve, the success of this pilot project marks the beginning of a new chapter – one where Newfoundland and Labrador seafood is no longer just ocean-harvested, but also runway-ready.

Check out an additional CBC Article covering the flight here!

The post Newfoundland & Labrador Seafood Takes Flight first appeared on PF Collins International Trade Solutions.

The post Canada-USA Trade Relations & Tariffs Update first appeared on PF Collins International Trade Solutions.

All travellers to Canada are required to submit mandatory travel information to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) before and after your entry into Canada digitally using ArriveCAN

How Does ArriveCAN Work?

1. Entering Canada by Air or Land
   All travellers entering Canada by air or land (with limited exceptions) must use ArriveCAN to submit your travel information within 72 hours before your arrival to Canada.
2. Travelling to Canada by Marine
   If you travel to Canada by marine, you must submit your travel information through ArriveCAN before or upon entering Canada. We recommend you submit your travel information prior to your journey for faster processing at the border.

Information Requirements for Travelling to Canada

Whether travelling to Canada by air, land, or sea, you must use ArriveCAN to submit the following information:

• Travel and contact information for you and other people travelling with you, if you are staying at the same quarantine location
• Purpose of travel and travel details (e.g. date of arrival, flight no., etc.)
• Reference code for your 3-night reservation at a government-authorized hotel (for air travellers only, unless exempt)
• Pre-entry COVID Test information
• Information about the countries you stayed in or visited in the 14 days prior to your arrival in Canada
• Quarantine plan (unless exempt)

Be ready to show your ArriveCAN receipt when you arrive to Canada. A CBSA Officer will verify that you have submitted your information. If you do not submit your information through ArriveCAN, you may:

• Face additional delays at the border for public health questioning
• Be subject to enforcement action, ranging from verbal warnings to $1,000 fines

Information submitted through ArriveCAN will be shared securely with provinces and territories so travellers can be contacted for public health follow-up and to verify compliance with public health orders. It will also help reduce processing times at the border and limit physical contact between travellers and border services officers.

Exemptions for Fully-Vaccinated Travellers

On July 5, 2021, Canada allowed some exemptions for fully vaccinated travellers who meet specific conditions and are eligible to enter Canada. As a result, you may qualify for exemption from quarantine, hotel stopover, or testing requirements if you: 

• Are eligible to enter Canada
• Are asymptomatic
• Meet the requirements of fully vaccinated travellers
• Meet all other entry requirements, including submitting your travel information in ArriveCAN before arrival.

Requirements After Entry to Canada

If you meet and qualify for exemption as a fully vaccinated traveller, you will not be required to send in reports.

Travellers that do not qualify for fully vaccinated exemption must provide the following information after their entry into Canada.

You must use ArriveCAN or call 1-833-641-0343 to confirm the following:

• Confirm that you have arrived at a government-authorized hotel for quarantine or isolation (air travellers)
• Confirm that you have arrived at the address you provided for your quarantine or isolation location
• Complete daily COVID-19 symptom self-assessments during your quarantine period or until you report symptoms

The post ArriveCAN Entry Rules for Travel to Canada first appeared on PF Collins International Trade Solutions.

The post Canada and U.S. Lift Steel and Aluminum Tariffs first appeared on PF Collins International Trade Solutions.

The post Retaliatory Surtax Exemptions on Certain US Goods first appeared on PF Collins International Trade Solutions.

The post How Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties Can Affect Import Costs first appeared on PF Collins International Trade Solutions.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau affixed his signature to the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) this past weekend. This deal is still not done and is dependent on the European Parliament’s approval and ratification by 28 EU countries, which could take years.

Approximately 200 reservations to CETA were made on behalf of Canada’s provinces & territories. One example is Newfoundland and Labrador’s rights to maintain and regulate the exploration and development of hydrocarbons, such as oil production. Other items controlled by Canada include forestry, gambling, natural resources, and alcohol.

Under CETA, duty will be relieved on an estimated 99% of goods. Beneficiaries, such as the textile and agricultural sectors, will obtain a huge advantage. Canada will be able to export larger quotas of pork, beef, and wheat to the EU countries. In turn, EU dairy producers will benefit by the ability to send more than double the amounts of the current quota of “high quality” cheeses to Canada.

CETA opens up major trade lanes for Canada to the EU countries, resulting in a reduced dependency on the USA. The EU market has a potential market to Canadian companies of 508 million consumers, representing an estimated trade boost for Canada of $12 billion Canadian dollars per year. For comparison, Canada’s population is currently 38+ million and the USA, 340+ million.

The post CETA Signing Just the Beginning first appeared on PF Collins International Trade Solutions.

In 2013, a case between Frito-Lay and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) provided insight to importers regarding the application of the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) tariff treatment versus applying NAFTA to duty free goods, particularly refund processes and limitation periods applicable to claims under NAFTA tariff preference.

In Frito-Lay v. President of the CBSA, the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) ruled that importers are allowed to make revenue-neutral changes to NAFTA status under Section 32.2 of the Customs Act. CBSA disregarded the CITT decision, resulting in a series of similar court proceedings with Bri-Chem Supply Ltd., Ever Green Ecological Services Inc., and Southern Pacific Resource Corp.

In each case the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) tariff treatment was applied at the time of importation as the tariff classification was duty free. Although the goods qualified for NAFTA tariff treatment, NAFTA status would not provide any benefit to the rate of duty, and therefore the importers were confident in declaring MFN. The companies were later audited and, as a result, CBSA applied an alternate and dutiable tariff classification to the goods. The importers held NAFTA Certificates of Origin and, therefore, made the assumption that the tariff treatment on the goods could be changed and remain duty free.

Unfortunately, CBSA regulation stipulates that NAFTA status may only be changed within 1 year from the date of accounting against the original release (per transaction). As the audit required adjustments to importations during a 4 year period, the importers were forced to pay duties and taxes for the subsequent 3 year period.

Although the first appeal by Frito-Lay was allowed by the CITT, CBSA maintained their position. Bri-Chem Supply Ltd., Ever Green Ecological Services Inc., and Southern Pacific Resource Corp. all pursued and won appeals at their own expense. CBSA appealed the Bri-Chem decision to the Federal Court.

On October 21, 2016, the Federal Court of Appeal ruled in favour of the Importer and dismissed CBSA’s appeal. The Canadian International Trade Tribunal found that the CBSA’s relitigation of of “Frito-Lay” in this case was an abuse of process. Furthermore, the Federal Court granted the respondents their cost of appeals. Since the appeals were consolidated, one set of costs was awarded. CBSA is expected to provide direction regarding the next steps for the numerous claims currently being held in abeyance. Details of the Federal Court of Appeal’s Decision may be found here.

The post Applying NAFTA to Duty Free Goods first appeared on PF Collins International Trade Solutions.