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Our Core Services

Expert Logistics Solutions

EAST WEST CONNECT Inc. offers a wide range of logistics services tailored to meet your international freight needs.

Ocean freight: FCL & LCL

Air Freight service

Custom Clearance

Final mile delivery

Warehouse storage & Transload

Cargo Insurance

How Our Services Work

Follow these simple steps to leverage our logistics solutions for your business.

01Rate request

Cargo details
Trade terms/ what services you would need EWC to help with
From where to where

Any special request,please contact us directly

For special commodity, please ensure to
check with us if any license, regulation or SIMA tax would involved

02Confirmed booking

Booking confirmation with cut off 
Delivery/pickup instruction
Warehouse copy & draft BL confirmation

Also provide cargo insurance

03Ship out & prepare custom clearance at destination

BL& commercial invoice& packing list& manifest
Arrange payment prior final delivery/release the cargo to consignee

 

Trade Terms & Costs structures:

Part A: Port of loading
Part B: Ocean freight
Part C: Destination charges
Part D: Extended Service

Custom clearance, Final delivery, distribution, warehousing and etc.

Get Started with EAST WEST CONNECT Inc.

Ready to streamline your international freight needs? Contact us today for a quote or more information.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1.About Online Shopping, International Trading and Traditional Logistics:

Yes, online shopping can often involve importing goods, especially when you purchase items from sellers located in other countries. When you buy goods from an international online retailer, you’re essentially importing those items into your own country. Here’s why:

 

  1. **Cross-Border Transactions**: When you purchase goods from an online seller based in another country, the goods need to cross international borders to reach you. This process involves importing those goods into your country, which entails complying with customs regulations, duties, and taxes.

 

  1. **Customs Clearance**: Imported goods are subject to customs clearance procedures, which involve documentation checks, inspections, and the assessment of duties and taxes by the customs authorities of the importing country. This process ensures that the goods comply with import regulations and that any applicable duties and taxes are paid.

 

  1. **Legal Considerations**: Importing goods involves legal considerations related to customs regulations, trade agreements, and import/export laws. As an importer, you’re responsible for adhering to these laws and regulations when bringing goods into your country.

 

  1. **Costs and Fees**: Importing goods often incurs additional costs and fees, such as customs duties, taxes, and brokerage fees. These expenses can vary depending on factors such as the value and type of goods, the country of origin, and any trade agreements in place between the importing and exporting countries.

 

  1. **Delivery Process**: The delivery process for internationally purchased goods typically involves shipping carriers that handle the transportation of the goods across borders, as well as customs brokers who assist with customs clearance procedures. These entities facilitate the importation of goods and ensure that they reach their destination smoothly.

 

In summary, while online shopping offers convenience and access to a wide range of products from around the world, it often involves importing goods and complying with customs regulations and procedures. Understanding the importation process and associated legal and financial considerations is essential for smooth transactions and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

2.About Operation Process:

It takes 6 Steps

https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/import/guide-eng.html

Bill of lading, E-manifest, Commercial Invoice and packing list (shipper/seller, buyer/cnee, cargo details should be all matching among all 4 documentations). It is shipper’s responsibility to provide at least: Bill of Lading, Commercial invoice and packing list to buyer E-manifest documentation is usually sent by destination agent.

3.About Custom Exam/ Inspection by CBSA ( Canadian Boarder Service Agency):

When your shipment gets referred to a customs examination conducted by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), it means that the authorities have flagged your container for a closer inspection. There could be several reasons why your shipment is being inspected:

 

  1. **Random Selection**: Sometimes, shipments are chosen for inspection at random to ensure compliance with customs regulations and to prevent illegal or prohibited goods from entering the country.

 

  1. **Documentation Discrepancies**: If there are discrepancies or inconsistencies in the shipping documentation provided for your cargo, customs officials may conduct an inspection to verify the accuracy of the information.

 

  1. **Risk Assessment**: CBSA may use risk assessment techniques to identify shipments that pose a higher risk of non-compliance or containing prohibited goods. Factors such as the country of origin, type of goods, and previous compliance history may influence this assessment.

 

  1. **Intellectual Property Concerns**: If there are suspicions of counterfeit goods or intellectual property violations, customs authorities may inspect the shipment to verify the authenticity of the products.

 

  1. **Security Concerns**: In some cases, shipments may be inspected for security reasons, especially if there are concerns about potential threats or illegal activities associated with the cargo.

 

If your shipment is undergoing a customs examination, here’s what you can expect:

 

  1. **Delays**: Customs inspections can cause delays in the delivery of your cargo. Depending on the complexity of the inspection and the volume of shipments being processed, the delay could range from a few days to several weeks.

 

  1. **Communication**: You may receive communication from the CBSA or your shipping carrier regarding the status of the inspection and any additional information or documentation required from you to facilitate the process.

 

  1. **Documentation Review**: Customs officials will review the documentation accompanying your shipment, including invoices, packing lists, and other relevant paperwork, to ensure compliance with import regulations.

 

  1. **Physical Inspection**: In some cases, customs officials may physically inspect the contents of your container to verify the accuracy of the declared goods and to check for any prohibited or restricted items.

 

  1. **Additional Fees**: Depending on the outcome of the inspection and any additional requirements imposed by customs, you may incur additional fees or charges related to the inspection process.

 

It’s essential to cooperate fully with customs officials and provide any requested information or documentation promptly to expedite the inspection process and ensure compliance with import regulations. If you have any questions or concerns about the inspection, you can contact the CBSA or us for assistance.

CBSA Official information regarding Marine container Examination Process:

https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/security-securite/mts_smc-eng.html

Paying an exam fee for a customs examination that you did not request or anticipate can be frustrating. Here are some reasons why you might be required to pay such a fee:

  1. Standard Practice: In many countries, including Canada, customs authorities have established procedures that allow them to charge fees for certain services, including examinations of imported goods. These fees are often applied uniformly to all shipments that undergo inspection, regardless of whether the importer requested it or not.
  2. Cost Recovery: Customs examinations require resources, including manpower and equipment, to conduct. The exam fee may be intended to cover the costs associated with these activities, such as labor, administrative expenses, and the use of inspection facilities.
  3. Risk Management: Customs agencies use risk assessment techniques to identify shipments that pose a higher risk of non-compliance or containing prohibited goods. If your shipment is flagged for examination based on this risk assessment, you may be required to pay the exam fee as part of the cost of ensuring compliance with customs regulations.
  4. Importer Responsibility: Importers are generally responsible for all costs associated with importing goods into a country, including customs duties, taxes, and fees. While you may not have explicitly requested the examination, as the importer, you are responsible for complying with customs requirements and may be liable for any associated fees.
  5. Legal Authority: Customs authorities have the legal authority to inspect shipments entering their country to ensure compliance with import regulations, protect national security, and prevent the entry of prohibited or restricted goods. As part of this authority, they may impose fees for conducting inspections as outlined in applicable laws and regulations.

4.About Invoice& Fees:

Based on the International commercial term seller and buyer agreed on, Incoterms are used to clarify the tasks, costs, and risks associated with the delivery of goods from the seller to the buyer.

Charges would also be affected based on the incoterms. If you have any concerns regarding the charges on your invoice, the most efficient way is to contact shipper/seller to clarify. We will also give the feedback to our overseas agent and have the shipper to explain to buyer.

5.About Duty & Tax:

Import duty and taxes are due when importing goods into Canada whether by a private individual or a commercial entity. The duty valuation method is FOB (Free on Board), which means that the import duty is calculated exclusively on the value of the imported goods. In addition to duty, imports may be subject to other taxes such as GST (General Sales Tax), PST (Provincial Sales Tax), or a combination of both known as HST (Harmonized Sales Tax) depending on the type of importer and province. Sales tax is calculated based on the sum of the value of the goods, the duty, and the excise duty (if applicable). The amount of duty and taxes due depends on the place of residence of the importer rather than on the location where the goods enter Canada.

Duty Rates

Duty rates in Canada range between 0% and 35%, where the average duty rate is 8.56%. Some goods are not subject to duty (e.g. certain electronic products, antiques, toys, etc.).

Sales Tax

Commercial importers are only subject to GST. Private importers are subject to HST (i.e. GST + PST). Sales tax rates vary by province.

SIMA stands for the Special Import Measures Act, which is a Canadian law designed to protect Canadian industries from unfair trade practices, such as dumping and subsidization, by foreign exporters. Under SIMA, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) can impose special import measures, such as anti-dumping duties and countervailing duties, on imported goods that are found to be dumped or subsidized.

 

Dumping occurs when foreign exporters sell goods in Canada at prices lower than their domestic market prices or lower than the cost of production, causing injury to Canadian producers of similar goods. Countervailing duties are imposed when foreign governments provide subsidies to their exporters, giving them an unfair advantage over Canadian producers.

 

As for your specific case of importing aluminum-made items, mattresses, and sofas, whether you need to pay SIMA duties depends on various factors:

 

  1. **Dumping/Subsidization Investigations**: If there are ongoing investigations by the CBSA into whether aluminum-made items, mattresses, or sofas from specific countries are being dumped or subsidized, and if it’s found that dumping or subsidization has occurred, SIMA duties may be imposed on imports of these goods from those countries.

 

  1. **Exemptions and Exclusions**: Certain goods may be exempt from SIMA duties or may qualify for exclusions based on specific criteria. It’s essential to check with the CBSA or consult with a trade advisor to determine if your imported goods fall under any exemptions or exclusions.

 

  1. **Country of Origin**: The imposition of SIMA duties typically applies to imports from specific countries where dumping or subsidization is alleged to have occurred. If your goods are from countries subject to SIMA investigations or measures, you may be liable for paying SIMA duties.

 

  1. **Product Classification**: The classification of your imported goods under the Harmonized System (HS) codes may also affect whether SIMA duties apply. Different goods may have different tariff classifications and may be subject to different import measures.

 

To determine whether SIMA duties apply to your specific imports of aluminum-made items, mattresses, and sofas, it’s recommended to:

 

– Check with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) for any ongoing investigations or measures related to these goods.

https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/sima-lmsi/menu-eng.html

All SIMA related correspondence to the CBSA should be sent via email, addressed to: simaregistry-depotlmsi@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca

 

– Consult with us or customs broker for guidance on import regulations and duties.

– Stay informed about changes in trade policies and import regulations that may affect your imports.

Import Duty: We can obtain the commodity full name and HS code from shipper; secondly, use the commodity name and HS code and try to find on the CBSA official import tariff.

https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/trade-commerce/tariff-tarif/menu-eng.html

Tax:

Based on 2 factors:

  • The amount of duty and taxes due depends on the place of residence of the importer rather than on the location where the goods enter Canada.
  • Commercial importer or Private importer: Commercial importers are only subject to GST. Private importers are subject to HST (i.e. GST + PST). Sales tax rates vary by province.