75 Years of Navigating the Ever-Evolving World of Logistics
In order to navigate the constantly changing world of logistics, it is important to have knowledge, experience, and the ability to adapt quickly. Stability and consistency are not typical in this industry, so it’s essential for our team at Universal Logistics to be proactive at all times. Complacency is a risky strategy in the long term. Our extensive experience and insight demonstrate our ability to handle any situation we encounter. As we celebrate 75 years in business, we have witnessed the evolution of our industry and have successfully adapted to these changes. As a result, we have become a more effective service provider for our clients.
To maintain our strong foundation, it’s important to continue focusing on training and industry education.
For example, the Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association (CIFFA) offers training related to freight forwarding functions, while the Canadian Society of Customs Brokers (CSCB) provides training focused on customs duties. This training offers valuable insights to new team members and helps build a solid knowledge base. Additionally, newer employees are mentored by senior team members with years of industry experience. Ongoing mandatory training, such as recurring dangerous goods certification and yearly training to maintain CSCB designations for customs clearance processing, further enhances our knowledge base and ensures that our team is well-versed in all aspects of the logistics industry.
In addition to training and mentoring, being a successful logistics provider requires the ability to navigate the complex and ever-evolving world of both domestic and international shipping, as well as customs regulations. This necessitates continuous learning and updating, as an unfocused approach can lead to disruptions in the movement of goods, increased costs, and non-compliance penalties, which are not in anyone’s best interest. Examples of these regulations include compliance with eManifest regulations for Canadian imports, ISF regulations for US imports, implementation of dangerous goods handling requirements, and preparation for the upcoming CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management project (CARM), among others. While shippers may not be fully aware of such regulations, our role as your representative in the process is to ensure compliance with all industry mandates and regulations.
A proficient supply chain management team must handle various trade partners, including airlines, ocean carriers, rail carriers, truck carriers, warehouses, and terminals. It is essential for service providers to understand the operational requirements of these partners and be ready for unforeseen situations, such as congestion, equipment shortages, labour disputes, and weather-related issues. Dealing with these unpredictable scenarios requires logistics providers to proactively assert a plan and maintain close communication with clients to offer insights and suggestions. Our teams excel in these areas, as we are more than just a logistics service provider – we strive to provide solutions and work closely with our clients to meet all their concerns and needs.
To achieve this, Universal Logistics relies on a team approach, with multiple teams coordinating shipments, each with expertise in specific areas. This results in a highly effective and efficient process, with the aim of meeting our clients’ needs and ensuring top-level service at all times
For more information, contact Debbie McGuire, Director – Freight Solutions.
Trust Universal Logistics for Your Worldwide Ocean Export Needs
Trust Universal Logistics for your worldwide ocean exports from Canada and the U.S.. Our dedicated Freight Solutions team will handle all the details to ensure your shipments are managed with care and precision, from selecting the best shipping routes to navigating customs regulations at destination.
Explore our Ocean Freight Solutions to streamline your export process and enjoy seamless logistics services.
Unlocking Success: The Key is Building a Relationship with Your Freight Forwarder
It’s important to build a strong relationship with your freight forwarder in order to ensure they understand your business and overall needs. Viewing your freight forwarder as a partner and focusing on long-term gains rather than short-term savings is the best strategy for success. Sometimes, chasing the lowest price on a per shipment basis can result in ‘bumped cargo’, especially when space is at a premium. Partnering with your forwarder to plan a strategy for peak seasons is a wise choice.
It is crucial to establish strong business relationships for success. Neglecting to do so can have serious consequences. Failing to thoroughly screen a logistics provider and skipping due diligence can expose you to financial risk and legal liability.
For instance, relying solely on your shipper to handle inbound shipments leaves much of the process in unknown territory. If issues arise, it’s important to have a representative to protect your business interests. Many importers discover that they have little support when facing such problems and are left with few options. This is why we emphasize the importance of overseeing your freight and taking charge of the process, while working closely with Universal Logistics as your partner throughout the entire transaction.
From a client perspective it is important to ensure the freight forwarder has a clear understanding of your business and provides shipping solutions that suit your complex needs. This includes prioritizing clients’ experience, managing their resources effectively, tracking their shipments constantly and increasing their agility in dealing with a complicated supply chain. At the same time, it is important to know how your forwarder will react if a problem occurs – can you trust your service provider to resolve the issue to your satisfaction?
It is evident that establishing a strong, long-term relationship with your freight forwarder is a crucial strategy for anyone involved in supply chain management and the foundation for ongoing overall success in this area.
For more information, contact John Leis, Director – Client Relations.
UPDATE: Strike Overview
British Columbia Ports
BC Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) and International Longshore and Warehouse Union Ship & Dock Foremen Local 514 (ILWU Local 514)
March 2023 – Collective agreement covering wages, benefits, hours of work and employment conditions between the BC Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) and International Longshore and Warehouse Union Ship & Dock Foremen Local 514 (ILWU Local 514), representing approximately 730 employees, expires March 31, 2023.
October 2023 – Bargaining to renew the collective agreement between the BCMEA and ILWU Local 514 begins.
January 2024 – In an effort to conclude a negotiated collective agreement with ILWU Local 514 that ensures certainty for Canada’s West Coast ports, the BCMEA files a notice of dispute under the Canada Labour Code, seeking conciliation assistance from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS). The parties have benefited from such third-party assistance in prior rounds of bargaining.
May 2024 – The BCMEA files a complaint with the Canada Industrial Relations Board CIRB) related to the conduct of the union bargaining committee and their intransigence at the bargaining table.
June 2024 – The BCMEA has been advised that ILWU local 514 members have voted to reject the industry’s revised comprehensive offer.
July 2024 – The CIRB began the hearing to address the complaints between the BCMEA and ILWU Local 514. Additional time is required to complete the hearing and, as such, the hearing will continue August 6, 7, 8 and 9.
July 2024 – ILWU Local 1514 provides formal, written 72-hour strike notice of intended strike action against DP World (Canada) Inc., commencing on July 8, 2024, at or about 04:30 pm PT.
July 2024 – On July 7, 2024, the CIRB determined that ILWU Local 514’s declaration of strike action against DP World (Canada) Inc. is in contravention of the Canada Labour Code. The CIRB found that the union failed to bargain in good faith when it conducted a strike vote amongst employees of only one member company of the BCMEA and issued a strike notice based on that strike vote.
Accordingly, the CIRB directed the union to rescind the strike notice of July 5, 2024 and advised members that it is rescinded.
Port of Montreal
The Maritime Employers Association (MEA) and Longshore Workers’ Union (CUPE Local 375) Negotiations Update.
December 2023 – Collective agreement between the Port of Montreal Longshore Workers’ Union (CUPE Local 375), representing approximately 1,000 longshore workers at the port, and the Maritime Employers Association (MEA) expires on December 31, 2023. Wages and job security remain the key bargaining points.
December 2023 – The MEA applies to the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) for recognition of essential services at Port of Montreal terminals.
January 2024 – The CIRB rejects a request by the MEA to deem port work an essential service in a bid to prevent a strike on the waterfront.
April 2024 – CUPE Local 375 rejects, by a margin of 99.5 percent, MEA’s latest offer to renew their collective agreement.
May 2024 – The MEA provided an update on labour negotiations with CUPE Local 375. As per the MEA, the two sides are still in mediation once a week, with the final scheduled session currently set for June 14th. A strike has not been voted on or planned at this point. The MEA’s priority remains the signing of a negotiated collective agreement to bring back stability to the Port of Montreal and the Canadian supply chain.
Canadian Rail
Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC)/Canadian National (CN) and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) Negotiations Update
December 2023 – Tensions between the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) union and railways Canadian National (CN) and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) are ramping up after the December 31, 2023 expiration of three major collective agreements. About 9,300 workers at the railways are covered by the agreements.
Negotiations have come to a standstill and CN and CPKC have filed notice of disputes with the federal government, requesting government mediators be appointed.
May 2024 – On May 1st, the TCRC union says members working at CN and CPKC voted overwhelmingly in favour of a strike mandate, as both sides remain far apart in labour negotiations. This strike authorization is valid for 60 days and expires on June 30th and positions the union to begin a work stoppage on May 22nd.
May 2024 – Late on Thursday, May 9th, Federal Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan announced that he had asked the Canada Industrial Relations Board to look at whether the strike might have health or safety implications to the public. Until the board has rendered a decision, a strike or lockout cannot commence and there is no set timeline for the board to issue a decision.
June 2024 – On June 29th, the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference announced that unionized workers from CN and CPKC Southern overwhelmingly voted in favour of going on strike unless they get a new labour deal. This is the second time the union has authorized a strike this year. Members previously approved a strike on May 1st, which expired on June 30th, requiring this new vote to be undertaken.
July 2024 – The CIRB informed CN and CPKC on July 12th that it intends to issue its decision regarding the Ministerial Referral on the maintenance of activities by Friday, August 9th.
For more information, contact David Lychek, Director – Ocean & Air Services.
Are you on the list of Customs Verification Priorities?
The latest semi-annual list of verification priorities for the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has been released.
New compliance priorities
The CBSA has identified the following compliance priorities:
- Tariff rate quota and classification of supply managed goods
- Verifications on the classification of frozen desserts containing 5% of dairy products
- Tariff classification of gloves
- Third round of verifications on gloves classified under headings 39.26 and 42.03
- GST and excise duties and taxes
- GST exemption codes
- Vaping products subject to excise duties and taxes
- Import origin verifications under:
- Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)
- Canada-United Kingdom Trade Continuity Agreement (CUKTCA)
- Duties Relief Program (DRP)
- Verifications of licensees importing supply managed goods
- Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) tariff treatment withdrawn from Russia and Belarus
As the risk environment evolves, CBSA can change priorities at any time during the course of the year.
On the current list of compliance priorities:
Freezers and Other Freezing Equipment, Heading 84.18 and Washers and Dryers, Headings 84.50 and 84.51: , were added as a verification priorities in May 2023 and although still ongoing the following results have been reported so far:
The list is also made up of additional rounds for items that have appeared on previous lists:
- Spent Fowl (Round 3) – Headings 02.07, 16.01 and 16.02
- Gloves (Round 3) – Headings 39.26 and 42.03
- Bags (Round 2) – Heading 42.02
- LED Lamps (Round 2) – Heading 85.39
- Bicycle Parts (Round 3) – Heading 87.14
- Cell phone cases (Round 3) – Headings 39.26, 42.02 and 85.17
When a verification priority has been completed (or additional rounds added due to high levels of non-compliance), the CBSA posts the risk assessment and general verification results. As an example, see below in regards to the misclassification of Spent Fowl:
With respect to valuation, there is one continued item:
- Apparel (Round 4) – Chapters 61 and 62
For origin, there is one continued item:
- Bedding and drapery (Round 3) – Headings 63.01, 63.02 and 63.03
CBSA also maintains a historical verification priorities list, which should be reviewed by all importers as they will likely circle back to these reviews in order to ensure compliance.
The next list of priorities is expected in January 2025.
For more information, contact Brian Rowe, Director – Customs Compliance & Regulatory Affairs.
Global Spotlight Quiz
Name the city with an iconic TV Tower
- Major seaport and transportation hub with a rich naval history.
- Popular tourist destination in Asia, known for its beautiful beaches and historical sites.
- Popular location for international film and television productions.
- Known for its beer – hosts a famous beer festival every summer and has an interactive beer museum.
- Renowned for its beautiful cherry blossoms in the spring.
- Hosted the sailing events of the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Answer: Qingdao, China
For more information about shipping freight to or from this city, contact Debbie McGuire, Director – Freight Solutions.
Quick Tip
Ensure Basic Information is Completed on All Commercial Invoices
The commercial invoice is the basis for the Canadian customs entry and determines any applicable duties and taxes. Ensuring proper information is included is vital for the accurate processing of your shipment. The following information should always be shown:
- Buyer & Seller
- Full description of goods
- S. classification
- Country of Origin
- Marks & numbers
- Net & gross weights
- Unit and extended price with currency
- Cost of freight, insurance & packing
- Terms of Delivery (Incoterms 2020)
- Terms of payment
- Date of Direct Shipment
- Reference numbers (P.O., Import or Export Permit number, Letter of Credit number, etc.)
At Your Service
Monserrat Vazquez
Manager – Freight Solutions
Monserrat Vazquez joined Universal Logistics in May of 2019, as a member of our Head Office Freight Solutions team. Monserrat’s main focus was coordinating shipments, as well as troubleshooting and thinking outside the box to find creative solutions for our clients when the industry was turned upside down during the COVID pandemic.
In November of 2021, Monserrat took on the position of Team Leader – Freight Solutions and was involved in mentoring and providing guidance to new team members as well as seamlessly coordinating shipments for our key clients.
Manager – Freight Solutions
In June of 2024, Monserrat was promoted to Manager – Freight Solutions. In this role, she will focus on the management of our Freight Solutions team, as well as fostering teamwork and collaboration with our Freight Pricing and Freight Operations teams.
Monserrat can be reached by phone (905) 882-4880, ext. 1230 or by email.
SMART Logistics
Controlling how freight moves through your supply chain could save you thousands – or more.
Working with us means someone always asks: how can we make this shipment better?
Single-sourced trucking, customs clearance and distribution to expedite your freight shipments between the U.S. and Canada.
Route is produced monthly for the clients of Universal Logistics. Reader comment and story ideas are welcome. Comments of general interest to all Route readers will, with the permission of the writer, be published. Copyright © 2024 Universal Logistics Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction for any commercial use is strictly prohibited.
Route is produced by Universal Logistics. Editor: Bettina Scharnberg. Email: bscharnberg@universallogistics.ca While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information contained herein, Universal Logistics accepts no responsibility or liability for errors or omissions. Written correspondence should be forwarded to:
Universal Logistics Inc.
125 Commerce Valley Drive West
Suite 750, Thornhill, Ontario L3T 7W4
Tel: 905-882-4880 Fax: 905-882-2250
Attention: Bettina Scharnberg
