Peacock Tariff Consulting works with Ottawa-area federal contractors, tech exporters (Shopify, Kinaxis adjacent), defense industry, and life sciences. Ottawa is the federal capital and Canada’s second-largest tech cluster. Proximity to CBSA, Global Affairs Canada, and Finance Canada makes Ottawa where national tariff policy is made.
Ottawa is less about import volume and more about influence. A tariff advisor visible in Ottawa gets cited by federal staff, gets asked to present to parliamentary committees, and gets quoted by Hill reporters. For thought leadership positioning, the Ottawa engagement matters more than lead volume.
Peacock Tariff Consulting works with Ottawa-based tech exporters, defense contractors, and federal-adjacent businesses.
Federal tariff policy positioning
Ottawa is where Canadian tariff policy is set. The CBSA, Global Affairs Canada, and Finance Canada interactions that drive tariff schedule changes, surtax decisions, and FTA implementations all happen here. For federal contractors and policy-adjacent firms, an Ottawa-fluent tariff advisor brings access and context.
Chapter 98 government imports
Canadian Customs Tariff Chapter 98 contains special provisions for government imports – duty-free or reduced-rate treatment for goods imported under specific government programs. For federal contractors importing equipment for delivery to federal buyers, Chapter 98 navigation is a focused engagement.
CARM rollout interpretation
CARM (CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management) is being rolled out by CBSA. Interpretive questions arise frequently. For Ottawa-area trade compliance professionals, our role is sometimes briefing on CARM interpretation as the policy evolves.
Ottawa tech export tariff playbook
Shopify, Kinaxis, and Ottawa’s broader tech cluster export software and SaaS products globally. Most software/SaaS is not dutiable, but supporting hardware, embedded systems, and physical products are. For Ottawa tech firms with hardware components, classification work is needed.
Defense ITAR / EAR
Ottawa-area defense contractors face overlap between Canadian Controlled Goods Program, U.S. ITAR, and U.S. EAR for cross-border technology transfers. We coordinate with export controls counsel where regulatory overlap requires it.
Frequently asked questions
Do you brief on federal Canadian trade policy?
Yes. Briefings for federal contractors, industry associations, and policy-adjacent firms are part of our Ottawa practice.
Can you handle Chapter 98 government import work?
Yes. Chapter 98 navigation for federal contractors is a focused engagement type.
How do CARM rollout questions get answered?
CBSA publishes guidance periodically; interpretive questions arise frequently. We track CARM developments and brief clients on practical implications.
Do you work with defense contractors?
Yes – typically in coordination with export controls counsel where ITAR/EAR overlap exists.
Are you affiliated with the Ottawa Board of Trade or CADSI?
No. We are independent.
Get started
Book a federal-adjacent tariff briefing.