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SME Information Centre - Customs

Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)

Last Verified: 2004-11-17

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The SME Information Centre is tailor-made for small and medium enterprises by the Canada Border Services Agency and includes:

  • online customized tools and information;
  • online registration for customs related seminars and events;
  • enhanced automated telephone services; and
  • access to customs client services representatives.

Eligibility Criteria

The services are tailored for Canadian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that either import or export goods occasionally or for the first time. However, the services are also useful to all importers or exporters.

Summary

The CBSA has made complying with the process of importing and exporting goods for small and medium enterprises simpler and easier with the introduction of a SME Information Centre. The centre is tailor-made for SMEs and includes customized tools and information on a Web site; enhanced automated telephone services; and access to small business representatives during regular office hours.
 
The SME client group tend to be infrequent importers and exporters, and therefore have specific information needs. With the introduction of this centre, SMEs now have access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to information and tools needed to comply with customs legislation and requirements through the online portal and the enhanced telephone service.

This information centre includes the following:

1.  A Web site which provides the following products:

  • A step-by-step guide to importing commercial goods
  • A step-by-step guide to exporting commercial goods
  • Online currency conversion/ exchage rate tool
  • Border Information Service (BIS) online text version
  • Customs E-newsletters
  • Online customs seminar registration
  • Saveable B2 and B3 Customs forms
  • Frequently asked questions
  • A list of common acronyms and a glossary of terms
  • Online tutorials on Tariff Classification and Advanced Rulings (coming soon)

2.  1-800-461-9999: Border Information Service - BIS
BIS is a computerized, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week telephone service that automatically answers incoming calls and provides general pre-recorded customs information. This system has been updated to respond to common questions and issues raised by SMEs.

3.  Customs Client Services Representatives
In all CBSA regional customs client services offices, officers are available during regular business hours to provide general and customized information to Canadian SMEs, and to respond to their questions on customs processes.

Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon Contact(s):
See National Contact.

National Contact(s):
Border Information Service - BIS
Canada Border Services Agency
Ottawa, Ontario  K1A 0L5
Toll-free (information): 1-800-461-9999
Toll-free (publications): 1-800-959-2221
Web site: http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/menu-e.html



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