Posts

April 7th, 2025

  Industry Copes with Tariff Tsunami Last week’s US Tariff announcement continues to reverberate through the industry.  On April 2, 2025, invoking his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 (IEEPA), President Donald Trump announced reciprocal tariffs against hundreds of countries.  The announcement, in conjunction with other Executive Orders, simultaneously impacted Canadian exporters, small Canadian e-commerce merchants and large volume importers into the US.... [More Info] OTHER NEWS   Update on Least Developed Country Tariff - April …

April 7th, 2025

  Last week’s US Tariff announcement continues to reverberate through the industry.  On April 2, 2025, invoking his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 (IEEPA), President Donald Trump announced reciprocal tariffs against hundreds of countries.  The announcement, in conjunction with other Executive Orders, simultaneously impacted Canadian exporters, small Canadian e-commerce merchants and large volume importers into the US.   The US has instituted "reciprocal tariffs" on virtually all trade, with certain exclusions for Canada and Mexico.  While …

April 3rd, 2025

  CBSA has finally updated the form used by importers to facilitate imports from Least Developed Countries (LDC).  The B255 form is required for LDCT customs clearance, but the version available online from CBSA has been outdated - and did not reflect changes to the LDCT rules of origin which came into effect January 1, 2025. We have been aware of this issue since mid-December 2024 and have brought this to the attention of CBSA and the Department of Finance …

March 31st, 2025

CAF Executive Director Bob Kirke will discuss the impact of U.S. tariffs on Canadian imports during a session titled "The Impact of Tariffs on Canadian Imports in the USA at PV Montreal. The session will be held on April 23, 2025, from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM in the Main Conference Room. Mr. Kirke will highlight how tariffs on "Made in Canada" products could lead to the loss of garment manufacturing jobs and encourage companies to shift production overseas.  The …

March 31st, 2025

Première Vision Montréal is set to open its doors on April 22-23, 2025, at the Grand Quay of the Port of Montreal, offering fashion professionals a unique opportunity to explore the evolving industry. The event will showcase over 100 leading exhibitors from around the globe, covering textiles, design, and innovation, making it a must-attend platform to understand and shape the future of fashion. The conference program will feature inspiring talks on trends, ethical fashion, artificial intelligence, fashion and gastronomy, product …

March 27th, 2025

CBSA has instituted a one-month delay in the implementation of the importer security provisions of CARM - the Release Prior to Payment (RPP) program.  This delay will push back the day of reckoning to after the federal election.  A number of associations, including CAF, have warned the government that many smaller importers are not and will not be able to navigate new security requirements for imports.  Treasury Board has approved a regulatory package for a 30-day extension to the period …

March 24th, 2025

Canadian Apparel Monthly Digest  March 2025 Canadian Apparel Insights Retail Apparel Update Canada’s apparel sales during 2024 decreased by 2.8% according to Statistics Canada to C$36.5 billion. The decrease was the apparel category’s first sales decline since Canadian retail apparel sales fell 23.6% in 2020 because of Covid. Driving the 2024 decrease in apparel sales was the 3.8% decline in women’s apparel which accounted for 55.1% of total apparel sales. The 1.6% decrease in mens sales was less than the …

March 18th, 2025

Computer Generated Solutions, Inc. (CGS), a leading global provider of supply chain management software solutions for fashion businesses through its BlueCherry® platform, today released its 10th annual BlueCherry State of Supply Chain & Technology Report. It provides a decade-long analysis of trends, challenges, and opportunities in the fashion supply chain landscape and reveals two top technology priorities in 2025: cultivating AI-driven insights and optimizing merchandise demand planning.   Over 300 executives across the global apparel, footwear, accessories, consumer lifestyle goods, retail, …

March 10th, 2025

  Across Canada, businesses are feeling the impact of market uncertainty. The Export Development Canada (EDC) Trade Impact Program will facilitate an additional $5 billion over two years in support for eligible companies across a range of products to help you navigate economic challenges. If you’re an eligible Canadian exporter, or a company that supplies exporters, here’s how we can help:  Export confidently: EDC trade credit insurance protects against losses in the event of non-payment from your foreign buyer. Manage currency fluctuations: We offer solutions …

February 28th, 2025

CBSA reminds importers to submit financial security before CARM transition measure ends in April From: Canada Border Services Agency The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM) system has been operational since October 21, 2024. Since then, a new financial security model exists whereby all commercial importers must post their financial security in CARM to benefit from the Release Prior to Payment (RPP) program. They can no longer use the financial security posted by their customs brokers. The RPP …