Updated Requirements for truckers entering Canada in effect as of January 15, 2022

Toronto, January 14, 2022

There has been some misinformation reported regarding the requirements for truckers entering Canada as of January 15, 2022.  These requirements have been reconfirmed in a statement issued by the Public Health Agency of Canada on January 13th, as per the following link:

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/news/2022/01/requirements-for-truckers-entering-canada-in-effect-as-of-january-15-2022.html

The key points of clarification are as follows:

A Canadian truck driver who is not fully vaccinated cannot be denied entry into Canada – Canadian citizens, persons registered under the Indian Act and permanent residents may enter Canada by right.  As was announced in November, starting January 15th, unvaccinated Canadian truck drivers entering Canada will need to meet requirements for pre-entry, arrival and Day 8 testing, as well as quarantine requirements.

Also, as of January 15, 2022, unvaccinated or partially vaccinated foreign national truck drivers, coming to Canada from the U.S. by land, will be directed back to the United States.

To qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller and to enter Canada, foreign national truck drivers must:

• have received at least two doses of a vaccine accepted for travel, a mix of two accepted vaccines
  • or at least one dose of the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
• have received at least two doses of a vaccine accepted for travel, a mix of two accepted vaccines
  • For example: if a driver received their second dose anytime on Saturday, January 1, then Sunday, January 16 would be the first day that they would meet the 14-day condition.
• Have submitted all required COVID-19 information into ArriveCAN.

For more information, please call David Lychek, Director – Ocean & Air Services at (905) 882-4880, ext. 1207.

Vaccine mandate for truckers will have exemptions, CBSA says

Toronto, January 13, 2022

With just days to go before a federal vaccine mandate for truck drivers is set to come into effect, the federal government says Canadian truckers will be exempt from Canada's new rules but are still expected to face restrictions once the reciprocal American policy comes into effect.  In a statement, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) advised unvaccinated or partially vaccinated Canadian truck drivers arriving at the border will remain exempt from pre-arrival, on arrival and post-arrival testing and quarantine requirement.  Previously it was understood that Canada's vaccine mandate would require all truckers entering Canada to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and that foreign nationals would be turned away, while unvaccinated Canadian truckers would have to quarantine upon arrival.

The CBSA has confirmed that the January 15 mandate will still come into effect for non-Canadian truckers coming into this country at the U.S. border.  Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated foreign nationals, including American truck drivers, will be prohibited entry into Canada as of this date, however, if drivers are able to provide evidence confirming a contraindication to the COVID-19 vaccines, they may be granted an exemption.

On January 22nd, the U.S. will apply the same requirement on foreign nationals to Canadian truckers.  All inbound non-U.S. persons crossing at U.S. land point of entries or ferry terminals – whether for essential or non-essential reasons – must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and provide related proof of vaccination.

We will continue to monitor this situation and advise accordingly.

For more information, please call David Lychek, Director – Ocean & Air Services at (905) 882-4880, ext. 1207.

Why cargo insurance is a good investment!

Toronto, November 5, 2021

On October 22, 2021, the Zim Kingston vessel was engulfed in flames off the coast of Vancouver.  Severe weather caused a collapse of containers, sweeping more than 100 containers overboard.  Ensuing damage ignited a fire in other containers with hazardous materials that quickly spread throughout the vessel.  The salvaging of lost containers and the assessment of damages has now begun.

Subsequent to this, on November 1st, the owners of the MV Zim Kingston, have declared "General Average".  This is a principle of maritime law whereby all stakeholders in a sea venture proportionally share any losses resulting from a voluntary sacrifice of part of the ship or cargo to save the whole in an emergency.

Examples of General Average include:

• Jettison of cargo
• Hull and engine damage, caused by efforts to refloat the vessel
• Vessel assistance from tugs or other vessels
• Discharge and reloading of cargo at a port of refuge
• Damages to a vessel or cargo caused by firefighting

Losses covered by a General Average declaration are shared by every shipper that has freight on the on the vessel.  The cost per uninsured shipper can be catastrophic.  Moreover, uninsured shippers are unable to receive any surviving cargo until they have posted an Average Bond.  In contrast, shippers with proper cargo insurance suffer little or no loss.

If you have questions about cargo insurance or if you want Universal Logistics to place cargo insurance on your behalf, please call Debbie McGuire, Director – Freight Solutions at (905) 882-4880, ext. 1308.

GTA dnata Warehouse Storage Policy Update

Toronto, October 14, 2021

GTA dnata, which provides ramp, passenger and cargo warehousing services to airlines at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), has announced an update to their warehouse storage policies as outlined below.

For more information, please call David Lychek, Director – Ocean & Air Services at (905) 882-4880, ext. 1207.

Higher U.S. Customs User Fees effective October 1, 2021

Toronto, August 3, 2021

Effective October 1, 2021, there will be new minimums and maximums for U.S. Customs' Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF).  The minimum will be $27.75 per transaction (previously $26.79) and the maximum will be $538.40 (previously $519.76).  The Informal MPF (applies to shipments valued under $2,500 USD) will change from a flat rate of $2.14 to $2.22.  The MPF rate of 0.3464% will not change.  Goods of USMCA/CUSMA Preferential Origin are exempt from MPF.  In addition to the MPF, various other U.S. Customs User Fees are also increasing – please see full list here.

The Merchandise Processing Fee is a fee imposed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to offset the cost of salaries and other expenses incurred in the processing of imports and release of merchandise into the United States.

For more information, please call Brian Rowe, Director – Customs Compliance & Regulatory Affairs at (905) 882-4880, ext. 1213.