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ARTICLE · 13 JANUARY 2026

CBSA Compliance Verification Priorities

Millar Kreklewetz
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The Canada Border Services Agency ("CBSA") has released its January 2026 update to its compliance and verification priorities. This update is part of the CBSA's semi-annual process of resetting its verification priorities...

CanadaInternational Law
John Bassindale
John Bassindale
David West
David West

CONTINUED FOCUS ON U.S. & CHINESE SURTAXES

The Canada Border Services Agency ("CBSA") has released its January 2026 update to its compliance and verification priorities. This update is part of the CBSA's semi-annual process of resetting its verification priorities, which occurs in January and July of each year.

In this January 2026 update, new priorities include certain global surtaxes, amongst other items. Enforcement of Surtaxes Orders on Chinese and U.S. goods also remain a prominent holdover from previous rounds. We provide a detailed breakdown of these priorities below.

Compliance Priorities

Given the overcapacity in the global steel and aluminum markets, and Canada's concern with protecting domestic steel and aluminum industries, the CBSA is emphasizing review and enforcement of compliance with global surtaxes imposed in 2025:

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