Trade Compliance & Customs Consultation

The global trade landscape is constantly evolving. Between navigating the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM) platform, adjusting to new bilateral trade agreements, and managing fluctuating surtaxes, importing commercial goods has never been more complex. A single data error or compliance omission can trigger unexpected border delays, structural shipment holds, and severe monetary penalties.

At S.M. Hewitt (Sarnia) Limited, we believe proactive compliance is your greatest strategic advantage. Our team of trade consultants and Certified Customs Specialists (CCS) works closely with your business to review supply chain vulnerabilities, lower your landed costs, and keep your border operations completely audit-ready.

Our Specialized Consultation Services

We don't offer generic, one-size-fits-all advice. We provide targeted trade advisory solutions tailored to your unique operational footprint:

• CARM Onboarding & Portal Advisory: Ever since the CARM platform became mandatory for all commercial importers, managing financial security requirements and digital declarations has been vital. We walk you through portal registration, delegate authority, and configure your ongoing compliance workflows.
• Proactive Tariff Classification Audits: Misclassifying your products under the Harmonized System (HS) can cause severe duty overpayments or costly penalties. We review your entire inventory catalogue to ensure every line item matches the exact legal text of the Canadian Customs Tariff.
• CUSMA & Free Trade Verification: Are you capitalizing on all available free trade agreements? We evaluate your vendor logistics to maximize preferential tariff treatment under CUSMA, CETA, and CPTPP, ensuring your Certificates of Origin are legally sound and defensible.
• CBSA Audit Defense & Representation: If your business receives a Trade Advisory Notice, a Compliance Validation Letter, or a formal notice of a targeted customs audit, we stand by your side. We conduct comprehensive pre-audit risk assessments, organize your historical documentation, and represent your interests directly to the crown authority.
• Surtax & Anti-Dumping (SIMA) Monitoring: Border regulations can shift overnight. We actively track ongoing surtaxes, countervailing duties, and Special Import Measures Act (SIMA) enforcement directives—such as recent measures affecting foreign steel, aluminum, and automotive imports—to protect your business from hidden financial liabilities.

The Advantage of a Dedicated Local Partner

When you consult with S.M. Hewitt, you aren't dealing with a detached corporate firm. You gain access to a personal, family-owned advisory framework:

1. Live, Local AccountabilityYou will never have to speak to an automated phone system or navigate confusing help tickets. When you call our office, you talk directly with an experienced customs specialist who understands your specific business model.

2. Deep Border HeritageOperating at the Bluewater Bridge in Sarnia, Ontario, since 1947, we have spent generations analyzing border patterns, building professional relationships with regulatory agencies, and managing regional transit challenges.

3. Tailored Risk MitigationWe identify processing errors before your freight reaches the primary inspection booth, enabling early correction of recurring data anomalies and protecting your shipping history from negative risk scoring.

Protect your business and secure your supply chain.

Don't wait for a CBSA validation letter to identify vulnerabilities in your import profiles. Let our veteran team provide the clarity and compliance strategies you need to grow with confidence.

Contact us today to arrange a consultation or call (519) 332-4411 to speak directly with a trade compliance expert at our Sarnia office.