Trade and Tariff Resources

According to the Specialist – Fruits, Market and Industry Services Branch from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, as well as other government specialists in trade, we were informed that, while details remain uncertain and the situation may be temporary, products exported to the US from Canada and Mexico which are CUSMA compliant are currently exempt from US tariffs. Under CUSMA, Canadian exports must meet "rules of origin" requirements to qualify for tariff-free access. Goods that are grown or harvested in Canada are automatically compliant. In short, BC berries exported to the US would be exempt from the tariffs.

However, while berries grown in Canada do meet the rules of origin requirements under CUSMA, simply meeting the rule of origin is not enough to be exempt from tariffs. The importer must formally claim preferential treatment with customs authorities and provide a valid certification of origin. Traders must keep supporting documents (bills of materials, production records, sourcing info) in case of customs audits. So it is not automatic to be exempt from tariffs, and it requires some actions/documents when goods are traded.

We will continue to monitor the tariff situation with the experts.

In the meantime, listed below are several Canadian government and industry resources we identified as being helpful in your understanding of the current tariff environment.

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Resources

• For the latest official information on Canada-U.S. relations, click here.
• CFIA Import Requirements: https://inspection.canada.ca/en
• Tax relief and support for businesses in response to tariffs, click here.
• North American Blueberry Council Trade and Tariffs updates, click here.
• Understanding CUSMA compliance, click here.
• Contact a certified customs broker for additional support:
  • For a directory of Customs Brokers in Canada: Customs Broker Search | CSCB National Office
  • For a directory of Customs Brokers in the U.S: Permitted Customs Brokers Listing | U.S. Customs and Border Protection