April 16, 2020 – MSC has officially confirmed that it was the victim of a sophisticated malware attack on their main computer systems in Geneva Italy during the Easter long weekend. In total, their systems and website were offline until yesterday. As a result of their system outage, Canaan Transport immediately undertook our own risk assessments to ensure that our business dealings with MSC were not compromised. At this point in time, there are no concerns with our business relationship with MSC and we assure our customers that we are remaining vigilant in light of increasing cyber security attacks on key infrastructure and essential service providers.
April 16, 2020 – As efforts continue in Canada to source and import sufficient medical PPE, especially face masks, Canaan Transport is now noticing that importers are now looking towards moving substantial product via marine transportation as opposed to the costly services by air cargo. Ocean shipping has taken a beating due to the Covid-19 situation but there are still weekly services from Asia to Canada with enough capacity to fulfill all incoming medical PPE needs. The only issue remains the transit time of between 20-30 days. However, as many importers are now looking at this situation playing out towards the summer, it could be time to consider using ocean shipping. Please contact us if you require anything at all.
April 13, 2020 – Recent news reports have publicized the Canadian government’s efforts in importing medical personal protective equipment such as face masks, N95 masks, ventilators, gowns, disinfectants, and sanitizers into Canada. Canaan Transport is also assisting health authorities, hospitals, and 3rd party private companies with such importation. Please contact us if you require any assistance on sourcing these goods and/or obtaining cargo space in order to expedite these products into Canada.
April 9, 2020 – With Air Canada cargo providing freighter flights between many major hubs, we continue to assist customers in fulfilling their shipments. Here are some highlights:
• Cargo capacity is available on scheduled wide body flights operating on routes between Canada, Europe and Asia.
• Ad hoc all-cargo flights on Boeing 777 and 787-9 aircraft are available on demand to almost anywhere in the world. More than 15 such flights have operated so far, mostly from Toronto to Europe and Asia.
• Capacity is available on four weekly cargo-only flights to and from Shanghai; possibility of additional scheduled flights.
• Canaan Transport continues to handle shipments of medical supplies, including gloves, masks and other PPE.
As we head into the Easter weekend, Canaan Transport wishes you and your family a safe long weekend. We are all in this together.
April 7, 2020 – In accordance with a request from the Public Health Agency of Canada, the scope of the waiver referenced in Customs Notice 20-08 has been expanded to include imports by or for public or private care residences, such as seniors’ residences, retirement homes, nursing homes and shelters. Accordingly, CBSA has updated Customs Notice 20-08.
April 6, 2020 – Canada has now officially ratified the new Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). Although the date of implementation has not yet been confirmed, effective on the day of coming into force of CUSMA, the CBSA will increase its Low Value Shipment (LVS) thresholds for all commercial importations (in addition to those for express shipments) to an estimated value for duty not exceeding CAD$3,300.
April 2, 2020 – Today, Air Canada announced a series of charter flights beginning on Saturday, April 4th between Shanghai and Toronto. Utilizing their 787-9 fleet, these flights will have capacity for 40 tons of air cargo. We are currently accepting shipments starting on the Wednesday April 8th flight from Shanghai to Toronto of medical equipment and supplies only in order to aid our front line first responders with procruring masks and ventilators. Please contact us at covid@canaantransport.com so that we can assist you immediately.
March 31, 2020 – CBSA has issued Customs Notice 20-12 COVID-19: Tariff Classification and Other Information to Import Medical Supplies to help inform the commercial importing community of the tariff classification number and other potentially useful information for the importation of certain medical supplies. Please review this latest information.
March 31, 2020 – As the month draws to a close, we wanted to reassure our customers that our offices are still in operation while keeping our team members safe by enhancing our remote working policies and procedures. Any urgent requests should be directed to our main office phone number at 416.621.6800 and/or our email at operations@canaantransport.com . We continue to pray for the prompt recovery of those affected.
March 30, 2020 – In a notice to the public on Friday, the Government of Quebec announced an amendment to the spring thaw rules for 2020. "Effective immediately and in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, certain supplies essential to society’s needs, such as foodstuffs, medical and sanitary equipment, pharmaceutical products, and products necessary for the production of food, can move with the regular weight as per the rule amendment. "This amendment means that spring thaw weight restrictions will no longer be in effect for these essential supplies and products. These shipments can now move on regular triaxle chassis without the need for quad or permits."