CANADIAN CUSTOMS BROKERAGE

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Welcome to Livingston!

As an importer, you understand the importance of clearing your goods rapidly and reducing your trade compliance risk. To help ensure this happens, we have put together a collection of materials to help you with your first shipment with Livingston.

Importing into Canada

Now that you're getting ready to start shipping, there are a few additional activities we can help you with to ensure that your processes are optimized and streamlined.

Topics covered in the guide

Where to submit your commercial documents
Additional set-up options

Where to submit your commercial documents

Method
Where to send
Contact
Truck
Where to send: Commercial paperwork accompanies the physical shipment.

PARS Email: [email protected]
Instructions: Please include only one attachment (pdf, tiff, jpg, bmp, doc, docx, xls or xlsx file) with all crossing details included. Paperwork for each PARS shipment needs to be in one multi-page file. Please do not include any text in the body of the email because these do not go to a monitored inbox.

PARS Fax: 866-548-4685
Instructions: Please fax paperwork for each PARS shipment separately. Do not combine paperwork for multiple PARS shipments in one transmission.
Contact: Provide completed commercial documents and your PARS coversheet to the driver when they are picking up the shipment. The carrier will submit them to Livingston on your behalf, for processing.
Courier
Where to send: Commercial paperwork accompanies the physical shipment.
Contact: Provide completed commercial documents to the carrier / courier.
Air, Ocean and Rail
Where to send: Your welcome package includes a Livingston Contacts file. For live shipments, please prepare an email to your Service Delivery Team and include the following:

Subject line: Client no. 123456, Legal Name, Commercial documents for review/processing.
Body of email: Any instructions for Livingston, or questions for the service delivery team.
Contact: Please reference your Livingston Contact sheet for contact details.
The email address of your Service Delivery Team begins with cst###@livingstonintl.com.

Additional set-up options

Here are some of the things we can set-up for you:

  • Do you want to submit your documents electronically?
  • Do you want to know more about My Livingston Document Creation?
  • Do you want to upload your tariff database?

If you are interested in any of these and would like to learn more, please don't hesitate to call your dedicated Service Team and we'll be happy to assist any way we can.

Service Structure

Livingston’s service structure is designed to meet the needs of our clients. Our Client Service Model enables us to provide world class service by understanding our clients’ needs first and then implementing solutions to meet and exceed expectations.

Client Service Team

Your Client Service team is responsible for ensuring that you receive exceptional service at every level within our organization. You have access to dedicated Livingston resources who can respond immediately to questions you may have about your customs documentation, invoicing, duty information and more.

Your Service Coordinator
Your Service Coordinator has day-to-day knowledge of your business and instant visibility to your account history. It’s his or her job to resolve any issue or inquiry as rapidly as possible, keeping you informed through to resolution. If your Service Coordinator is not available, your call will be routed to a team member who will also be familiar with your account.

Regional Manager, Client Service
Manages critical, complex issues. Your Regional Manager, Client Service is available as an escalation resource for your Client Service Coordinator, and is able to offer additional expertise when needed.

Service Delivery Team

Your Service Delivery Team will manage your day-to-day imports relating to PARS or live freight. With this efficient team model, all classification, audit, billing and management functions are handled centrally to ensure consistent communication. The team will capture any instructions you provide as an ESP note in our system and process both electronic and manual entries 24/7/365.

Manager, Service Delivery
Responsible for the overall operational performance of the team, your Manager, Service Delivery manages resources to ensure that requirements are met. He or she will mentor and coach all team members, as well as train them on Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Service Level Agreements (SLAs), and help create a superior and consistent service delivery experience.

Your Customs Specialist/Import Analyst
Your Customs Specialist/Import Analyst is responsible for working with you to manage your product database including maintenance of your suppliers, product keywords, trade agreements and tariff classification. The Customs Specialist/Import Analyst will also liaise with customs, other government departments and your carriers.

Customs Release Analyst
Processes all truck, rail, ocean, and air entries and captures event-related notes to ensure proper tracking and visibility of your shipments.

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Stay informed.Track your goods on the go.

Whether you’ve got a dedicated dispatcher tied to a phone and computer all day, or you’re an on-the-go owner/operator of a small business, Livingston’s Shipment Tracker allows you to know the status of your shipment in real time any time of day or night from anywhere you may find yourself and get up-to-date estimated delivery times.

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How-to Guides

If you’ve ever wondered, “How do I...?” in the context of global trade, we’ve got you covered with resources that help simplify international trade.

FEATURED HOW-TO GUIDES


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Frequently Asked Questions

Did you need help with your shipment? We’re here to help! Here are common questions with some useful tips.

FEATURED FAQs

  • How do I submit questions about my invoice?
    Submit questions about your Livingston invoice(s) by completing this form or by calling us at 1-855-225-5544.
  • How do I partner with Livingston to move my cargo?
    Let us know how we can help you through this form. Select a service you’re interested in to get started with your online quote or call 1-800-837-1063 to speak to a consultant.
  • How can I avoid paying disbursement fees and charges?
    For the Duty/Tax Disbursement Fee, Canadian resident importers can avoid the duty and tax disbursement fee by signing up for one of these payment options:

    1. Import Secured;
    2. GST Secured; or
    3. Month End Settlement (via Pre-Authorized Debit)

    For the Transactional Duty/Tax Disbursement Fee, non-resident importers can avoid this fee by subscribing to one of these payment options:

    1. Obtain their own bond and pay duties and taxes directly to CBSA;
    2. Ship Cash-on-Delivery (COD); or
    3. Pay our NRI Duty/Tax Disbursement Fee

    For more details around these options and how to enroll, click here.

    For the freight disbursement fee, you can mitigate this by utilizing Livingston’s Freight Forwarding services or by setting up direct payment accounts with your largest carrier provider.
  • What online tools can I use to prepare shipping forms?
    My Livingston Document Creation helps eliminate documentation errors. This web-based, easy-to use tool has built-in compliance features that allow you to easily prepare, transmit and manage your import documents for shipments to Canada. Your suppliers can create and electronically submit all the documents needed, including: Canada Customs Invoices, Bills of lading, and NAFTA certificates.

    Sign Up for My Livingston
  • How do I setup an EDI exchange with Livingston?
    You may submit a request through this form and a client service representative will be in touch with you.
  • What is eLink? How do I set it up?
    eLink is a unique web-based system that enables shippers to send invoice data electronically. With minimal effort and no special software required, Livingston’s system will accept just about any format of information that an exporter can supply and convert it into usable files. Upon electronic receipt of the data, Livingston’s system processes the information and screens it through compliance filters to ensure the fastest possible customs release and the highest level of accuracy before the information is sent to customs.

    In order for clients, shippers and vendors to start the set-up process and develop an automated profile to validate the export documentation, please fill in this form and a client service representative will be in touch with you.
  • What do I need to know about CUSMA?
    North America’s new trade agreement: Frequently Asked Questions

All the forms you need. All in one place.

Here are some important forms that are commonly required for shipping.

COMMON CANADIAN BROKERAGE FORMS


More Forms >

On-demand webinars for you and your team.

From entry level to advanced, we have recorded webinars available for anyone interested in customs and trade to download.

FEATURED WEBINARS


More Webinars >

VIDEO TUTORIALS

On-Demand Webinars >  |  More Video Tutorials >

The Basics: Importing into Canada

The Basics: Valuation in Canada

Articles and References

Livingston subject matter experts are unparalleled in their breadth and depth of expertise, and are always offering perspective in the media on critical issues.

FEATURED ARTICLES


More Articles >

Useful links

Canada Border Services Agency
A-Z Index
Customs Tariff
D Memoranda
Acronyms


Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Home page
Import Requirements
Catalogue of Forms