To most countries around the world, DHL can act as the customs broker for the receiver. They can often clear the shipment through customs before it even arrives in the country. That is why DHL can be as fast or faster than any other air-express carrier internationally.
Canada, however, requires that a local customs broker clear the shipment when the value of the goods or the type of commodity makes it a formal customs entry. DHL can only be the broker if they have a Power of Attorney from the receiver authorizing them to act as the broker.
Canada is also implementing CARM (Canada Assessment and Revenue Management) that is changing how imports into Canada are handled. Importers in Canada will need to register in the CARM Client Portal (https://ccp-pcc.cbsa-asfc.cloud-nuage.canada.ca/en/homepage). A user guide, an information sheet about registering, and other information for the portal are available at https://ccp-pcc.cbsa-asfc.cloud-nuage.canada.ca/en/onboarding-documentation.
If the importer in Canada already has a broker, they can contact DHL and inform them of who their broker is. If the receiver wants DHL to be the broker, DHL Canada can send them the POA to sign which allows DHL to act as the broker. It is good to proactively contact DHL about how the shipment should be cleared to avoid delays in clearance and delivery. Also, if the sender has a broker in Canada, the broker’s information can be put on the Invoice, so DHL knows who to contact for clearance.
There is an option to have the duties and taxes billed to the sender as well. This is referred to as the Non-Resident Importer Program. The shipper in the US obtains a Non-Residents Business Number from the Canadian Revenue Authority and there is a special Power of Attorney along with a Non-Resident Business Number that must be submitted to DHL Canada to get set up for duties and taxes to be billed back to the sender.
If this is a one-time thing, fill out the Non-Resident POA (link below). Be aware it’s not a quick turnaround.
If this is something you want done on a lot of future shipments, you need to file for a Non-Residents Business Number with the CRA online at this link (https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/businesses/topics/registering-your-business/register.html). When you get the BN registration back, Preferred Shipping customers can send a copy of it along with the completed POA (https://preferredship.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/NON-RESIDENT-POA.xlsx – just the POA tab) to customerservice@preferredship.com and we will get that submitted for you.
Be aware there is a fee to have these fees billed back to you as the sender in the US.
