The U.S. market represents enormous opportunity for Manitoba businesses. It's close, familiar, and deeply woven into the fabric of how this province trades. But getting goods across that border is rarely as simple as loading a truck and heading south.
Behind every successful cross-border shipment is a web of regulatory obligations — on both sides of the border — that, if misunderstood, can mean delays, unexpected duties, or worse, seized goods.
That's exactly why World Trade Centre Winnipeg is bringing together two of the country's most experienced customs and trade specialists for a free, half-day workshop: Border-Ready: Navigating Canadian Export Regulations and U.S. Customs, taking place on March 30, 2026.
Why This Matters Right Now
The trade environment between Canada and the United States is more complex than it's been in years. Tariff uncertainty, shifting customs enforcement priorities, and evolving documentation requirements mean that businesses who once shipped south without a second thought are now facing real exposure.
The cost of getting it wrong — in delays, penalties, and damaged customer relationships — is significant. This workshop will give you the practical knowledge to move you and your business forward with confidence.
The Keys to Export Compaliance
Before a single product crosses the border, three questions are already being asked by customs authorities on both sides: What exactly is this? (HS Classification) What is it worth? (Export Valuation) And where did it actually come from? (Rules of Origin)
How a business answers those questions determines everything from the duty rate applied to whether a shipment clears at all. Misclassify a product, undervalue it, or misrepresent its origin and the consequences go well beyond a delayed truck. Audits, back-duties, and financial penalties are all on the table.
CERS: Canada's Export Reporting Obligation
Many Canadian businesses aren't fully aware of their legal reporting obligations before a shipment even leaves the country. The Canadian Export Reporting System (CERS) is a mandatory reporting mechanism administered by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). Understanding what needs to be reported, when, and how is a foundational compliance requirement — and one that's frequently overlooked by businesses new to exporting or those who've been doing it informally.
What Happens on the U.S. Side
Clearing Canadian regulations is only half the equation. Once goods cross into the United States, they enter a different regulatory framework governed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. This workshop covers how U.S. customs brokerage works, what American authorities are looking for, and how to ensure shipments move through smoothly without triggering holds or additional scrutiny.
The Documentation Package
Whether it's commercial invoices, certificates of origin, or shipper's export declarations, the paperwork behind a cross-border shipment is extensive — and errors are common. You will get a clear picture of what a complete documentation package looks like, both physically and digitally, and what happens when something is missing or incorrect.
Partner Government Agencies and Restricted Goods
Not all goods move the same way. Certain products — from agricultural commodities to technology — fall under the jurisdiction of Partner Government Agencies (PGAs) and may require additional permits, licenses, or controls before they can be exported. This session will help you identify whether their goods are subject to any special controls and what steps need to be taken to stay onside.
Border-Ready Workshop Details
Who Is Leading the Workshop
The Border-Ready workshop is led by Rhonda Galbraith, Canadian Director of Global Trade Services at GHY International, who brings more than 30 years of experience — including time as a Senior Trade Compliance Officer with the CBSA — and Corie Koropatnicki, Director of Client Services at GHY USA, a licensed customs broker with three decades of experience guiding importers and exporters through the U.S. customs process.
Free to Attend — But Space Is Limited
Thanks to funding from PrairiesCan, there is no cost to attend. However, space is limited, and participation may be restricted to one representative per organization.
If your Manitoba business exporst to the U.S., or plans to, you won't want to miss this one.
