Ottawa
In Person
Canadian exporters are navigating an increasingly complex U.S. tariff and compliance environment, often absorbing unnecessary duties that erode margins and limit growth.
This complimentary, in-person CUSMA Compliance Workshop equips businesses with the practical knowledge needed to qualify goods correctly, reduce duty risk, and protect U.S. market access.
Delivered in partnership with Invest Ottawa and the Ottawa Board of Trade. Led by trade and customs experts, the session breaks down CUSMA rules of origin, product classification, certification requirements, and audit readiness in clear, business-focused terms, with real-world supply chain examples (see below for context).
Participants will leave with actionable steps they can apply immediately, and the option to book confidential one-on-one clinics with trade lawyers, customs brokers, and supply-chain advisors to address company-specific compliance and margin challenges.
Key takeaways include:
- How to determine whether your products truly qualify under CUSMA Rules of Origin
- Common classification and certification errors that lead to unnecessary duties
- Practical strategies to protect margins amid ongoing tariff volatility
- What U.S. customs authorities look for in audits—and how to prepare
- When and how to engage legal, brokerage, or supply-chain expertise to reduce risk
Who should attend:
- Small and medium sized business owners, leaders, and CEOs.
- Operations and logistics managers, customs and compliance teams, finance and accounting leads, and anyone responsible for North American shipping documentation
Looking for another event?
Additional CUSMA workshops will be listed soon. Check back at bot.com/cusma for new dates and locations, or email wtc@bot.com for updates.
Upcoming regions include:
The session is free to attend, with gratitude to Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.
Agenda
8:30 – 9:00 | Arrival & Registration
- Check-in and light refreshments
- Distribution of agenda and one-on-one clinic sign-up instructions
9:00 – 9:15 | Welcome & Why This Matters
- The current tariff environment and rising compliance risk
- Why many firms are paying duties they don’t owe
- The real business impact of getting CUSMA wrong: margins, pricing power, and U.S. market access
9:15 – 10:15 | CUSMA in Practice: What Exporters Need to Know
Expert-led session that will cover:
1. CUSMA Foundations
- How CUSMA applies to goods sold into the U.S.
- What “qualifying” really means under Rules of Origin
- Where exporters most commonly misstep
2. Product Classification & Rules of Origin
- Correct classification and why it matters
- Using Rules of Origin to determine eligibility
- Practical examples across manufacturing supply chains
3. Certification & Customs Readiness
- How to properly complete Certifications of Origin
- Record-keeping expectations and audit risk
- How customs brokers and U.S. authorities review compliance
10:15 – 11:15 | Protecting Your Margins Under Tariff Volatility
- How compliant exporters maintain pricing power
- Managing supplier documentation and traceability
- Preparing for audits and enforcement changes
- When to seek legal or brokerage support
11:15 – 11:30 | From Knowledge to Action – Workshop Wrap-up
11:30 – 1:30 | Optional One-on-One CUSMA Clinics (Stay Behind)
For participants with specific challenges who would like to stay behind to have a session with a Trade Lawyer, Custom Broker or Trade & Supply-Chain Advisor.
Participants who do not require clinics are free to depart at 11:30
Speakers
To be announced shortly.
Tickets & Registration
Registration is free of charge and now open.
*Limited spots available