RRA customs advisor reviewing shipment details with a client.

Cross Borders With Confidence.

Every international shipment depends on accurate documentation, tariff classification, permits, and regulatory compliance. RRA's in-house customs brokerage team reviews them before your freight moves, helping reduce delays, holds, and costly surprises.

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Licensed CBSA Customs Broker
Canada & USA Bonded
CARM Support
In-House Customs Clearance
PARS / PAPS

How customs clearance works

From Document Review to Customs Release

Our in-house customs team manages clearance from document review through release, with fewer handoffs and earlier issue detection because one team owns the process end to end.

01

Commercial Invoice

We review your commercial invoice for accuracy and compliance.

02

Classification Review (HS)

We determine the correct HS codes and applicable duties or exemptions.

03

Documentation Review

Our team verifies all required documents before filing with customs.

04

Customs Submission

Filed electronically by our in-house customs team.

05

Release

Once cleared, customs releases your shipment for onward movement to you.

06

Delivery

Final delivery is coordinated through RRA's fleet and approved carrier network.

One accountable partner from classification to release.

Before the border

Before Your Shipment Reaches the Border

Most customs delays begin long before a truck reaches the border. Preparing documentation correctly at origin helps reduce avoidable holds later.

01

Supplier

Goods prepared and documented at origin.

02

Documents

Invoice, packing list, and permits gathered.

03

HS Classification

Correct codes confirmed before filing.

04

Commercial Invoice Review

Values and terms checked for accuracy.

05

Permits

PGA/OGD requirements identified early.

06

Pre-Arrival Preparation

PARS/PAPS filings prepared in advance.

07

Border

Shipment arrives with clearance already underway.

What we handle in-house

Customs Services for Imports, Exports & Compliance

Whether freight is entering Canada, moving into the US, or needs export documentation, our in-house team handles clearance and compliance so fewer details fall between vendors.

Import Services

Import customs clearance
HS classification
Duty and tax guidance

Export Services

Export documentation
Trade agreement support

Compliance Services

CARM guidance
PARS / PAPS processing
Broker review
Regulatory documentation

Catch Problems Before the Border

Problems caught before your shipment reaches the border cost far less than problems discovered at the border. RRA's in-house team reviews classification, valuation, and documentation up front, so you avoid predictable delays.

Where problems start

Common Customs Challenges We Help Prevent

Each of these is reviewed before filing, so issues are caught early rather than at the border.

Incorrect HS classificationRRA reviews classification before filing, so you avoid reassessments and penalties.

Missing or incomplete documentationDocuments are checked before the freight moves, not after it is waiting.

Incorrect valuationValues are reviewed against the commercial invoice and Incoterms before submission.

Country-of-origin errorsOrigin is verified for correct duty and trade-agreement treatment.

Permit / PGA (OGD) requirementsOther-government-department requirements are flagged and coordinated before arrival.

Border exams and storage chargesPre-arrival preparation reduces the chance of holds that trigger storage costs.

What we check

Documents We Review Before Filing

Customs delays often begin with incomplete or inconsistent paperwork. Our team reviews the core documents before submission so issues can be identified earlier. Reviewing paperwork up front is designed to reduce the surprises that hold freight at the border.

Commercial Invoice

Packing List

Bill of Lading

HS Classification

Country of Origin

Valuation

Incoterms

Certificate of Origin

Permits & Certificates

Other-Government-Department (PGA/OGD) Requirements

CARM

CARM Support, Made Practical

Whether you're registering for the first time or updating your account, our team helps simplify the process.

Importer registrationGuidance registering your business on the CARM Client Portal.

DelegationHelp delegating authority to RRA so filings run smoothly.

Ongoing portal requirementsSupport keeping your CARM account and financial security current.

Setup assistancePractical, plain-language help getting set up correctly the first time.

CARM readiness guide

Who this is for

Is This Service Right For You?

One accountable customs team, whatever you move. Find the fit closest to your business.

Outcomes we work toward

Fewer border delays
Earlier issue detection
One accountable customs team
Better shipment visibility
Coordinated onward delivery

Why companies choose RRA customs

Why Companies Choose RRA Customs

Licensed CBSA Customs Broker
Canada & USA Bonded
In-House Clearance
PARS / PAPS
CARM Guidance
Integrated Transportation
Integrated Warehousing
One Accountable Team

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FAQ

Common Questions

Yes. Customs clearance is handled in-house by RRA's own customs team, alongside our forwarding, trucking, and warehousing operations. That gives customers one accountable team for documentation, filing, release, and onward movement.

Yes. We guide importers through CARM registration and ongoing portal requirements as part of the in-house clearance service.

Commonly a commercial invoice, packing list, and bill of lading, plus a certificate of origin and permits where the goods require them. We review documentation before arrival to catch gaps early.

Yes. Import clearance into Canada and the US, and export documentation and trade-agreement support in both directions.

PARS (Canada) and PAPS (US) are the pre-arrival review systems that let customs process a shipment before the truck reaches the border. We file under both as standard practice for cross-border freight.

Yes. Advance preparation is the core benefit of in-house brokerage. Documents are reviewed and filings prepared while your freight is still in transit.

It depends on the mode, how complete the documentation is, and whether other government departments need to review the goods. RRA prepares filings in advance to reduce avoidable delays, but we do not promise a fixed clearance time.

Classification errors, missing or incomplete documents, valuation issues, permit or PGA requirements, and country-of-origin problems are the most common causes. Each is reviewed before filing.

Yes, subject to the situation and the documentation available. Contact us with the details and we will review what is needed to step in.

Yes. Pre-shipment document review is encouraged, because catching issues before the goods move is the least expensive time to fix them.

Typically the commercial invoice, packing list, product details for classification, country of origin, value, Incoterms, and any permits that apply to the goods.

Yes. Customs clearance is integrated with our forwarding, warehousing, and inland transportation, so the same team coordinates release and onward movement.

Yes. Overseas forwarders and agents can use RRA as their Canadian customs and delivery partner for inbound shipments.

Yes. If you already work with a freight forwarder, RRA can act as your customs broker and coordinate clearance alongside your existing setup.

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Complete Your Logistics Solution

Customs, handled in-house

Ready to Clear Your Next Shipment?

Whether you're importing into Canada, exporting to the U.S., or coordinating cross-border freight, our customs specialists are ready to help.

One Team. One Border. One Accountable Partner.

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