While shippers likely associate customs compliance with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) or the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), there are dozens of additional government departments that have authority over products moving across the U.S.-Canadian border. These entities are known as Partner Government Agencies (PGAs), or Other Government Departments (OGDs), and each imposes specific – and mandatory – import and export requirements.
Failure to comply with PGA/OGD requirements will result in a shipment being delayed at the border. This, of course, can derail even the most carefully-crafted logistics strategy, resulting in costly delays and dissatisfied customers.
What are these agencies, and how can you determine if your products are affected? In the United States, for example, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authority over products including medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics, among others. A shipper wishing to import an FDA-regulated product must ensure full compliance with all requirements which, depending on the product, may include testing, additional documentation, and obtaining an import permit.
Similarly, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) regulates imports of food products, plants, and animals, among other products. In total, there are 16 Canadian OGDs, and nearly 50 in the United States. Each importer is responsible for (a) determining if a product falls under the scope of an OGD/PGA (note that some products are regulated by multiple agencies), and (b) ensuring full compliance.
Our white paper explains the role PGAs/OGDs have in the customs clearance process, and sheds light on important topics that include:
- Listings of key U.S. and Canadian PGA/OGDs, and the products that fall under their scope of authority.
- How to determine if a product is regulated by a PGA/OGD.
- Where to look for help in managing the process.
- What to expect if a product needs to meet PGA/OGD requirements.
- The role of the U.S. and Canadian “single window” filing systems in submitting required information.
PGAs/OGDs help protect the U.S. and Canadian populations by ensuring that products crossing the border are safe and meet specific standards. For the products regulated by these agencies, they are an unavoidable step in the customs clearance process. Our paper provides a good reference for understanding the process and prioritizing full compliance.