Peacock Tariff Consulting works with Canadian SMBs entering the U.S. market and U.S. importers sourcing from Canadian suppliers. Our practice covers CUSMA / USMCA qualification, CARM enrollment, surtax compliance, U.S. importer setup, and dual-jurisdiction CBSA + CBP coordination.

This guide covers Cross-Border Canada-U.S. Trade Consulting Pillar.

For SMB importers, the practical implementation depends on volume, sector, and forward-pricing decisions.

CUSMA / USMCA qualification

The central commercial advantage. CUSMA-qualifying goods exempt from U.S. Section 122 plus preferential base rates.

CARM enrollment and operations

Mandatory for Canadian importers. Setup, security, payment authorization, broker linkage. 4-8 week project.

Surtax compliance (Chinese-origin goods)

Canadian surtax on Chinese EVs (100%), steel/aluminum (25%) creates compliance complexity for Canadian importers sourcing from China.

Dual-jurisdiction coordination

Cross-border SMBs face CBSA + CBP audits, USMCA verifications, and supplier certifications across both. We coordinate as a single engagement.

Frequently asked questions

When does this apply?

See the section above on scope. Most relevant for SMB importers with cross-border or FTA-related operations.

What documentation is required?

Standard CBP Form 7501, supplier certificates where origin is claimed, BOM analysis for complex products. We review documentation as part of typical engagements.

How long does this take?

Simple cases 1-2 weeks; complex cases 4-12 weeks. Most engagements run 2-6 weeks.

What does this cost?

Initial assessment $3,500-$8,500 fixed-fee. Ongoing retainer $2,000-$6,000/month for active operations.

How do I get started?

Book a 15-minute scoping call. We confirm fit and scope before any engagement letter.

Get started

Book a 15-minute scoping call to discuss your situation.

About the author

Kyle Peacock is the Principal of Peacock Tariff Consulting, an independent tariff and customs advisory firm serving SMB importers across the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and the E.U. He has been quoted in Forbes, CNN, The Washington Post, BBC, CBC, CTV, Financial Post, Nasdaq, Supply Chain Brain, and Harvard Business School publications. Connect on LinkedIn.