It’s a new year filled with opportunities for those ready to seize them. The calendar of 2024 trade education courses is up at the PCB Learning Center, so if you have been waiting for the chance to level up your international trade game, this is opportunity knocking. Whether you are a long-time importer looking to brush up on the fundamentals or a brand-new business hoping to get started on the right foot, we have the track record and industry leaders to keep your skills sharp in the ever-changing world of international trade. 

What kinds of courses can I take with PCB?

We offer a wide range of live and on-demand courses covering a broad range of topics, from the processes and pitfalls of importing into Canada or the US to the looming specter of the incoming CARM changes. No matter what kind of importer you are, there is something on our calendar that can help take your international trade to the next level.

Additionally, all of our courses provide CCS, CES, CTCS, MCS, MES, legal, accounting, trade, or logistics professionals with annual maintenance points and/or study material.

Below is a brief introduction to the courses currently scheduled for 2024. Please visit the PCB Learning Center for more information and to save your seat.

How to Prepare for CARM - Ongoing

The most prolific of our courses this year discusses the topic of 2024 - the imminent arrival of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM) system. In this webinar-style course, we aim to cover the necessary steps an importer should take in the face of the coming changes and provide vital information on how to be prepared for this system when it arrives. From signing up for the portal to security bonds and preparedness checklists, if you are a commercial importer looking to sign up for a course - this is the one for you.

Who is this course for? 

This course is designed for companies currently importing or intending to import commodities into Canada. It has a special focus on anyone seeking further understanding and clarity on the client portal, the requirements to purchase your own release prior to payment of your security bond, or the payment of your monthly statement of account. 

When is this course running?

As of writing, this webinar will next be happening on February 6th, but if that doesn’t work for you, not to fear. We are hosting another session every three weeks through April. Head to the How to Prepare for CARM Learning Center page today for a full schedule and how to save your seat. 

How To Import Into Canada - February 8, 2024

Importing to Canada is no simple task, and tangling with the CBSA unprepared is a recipe for a headache with potentially costly side effects. This course comes in the form of a yearly live webinar with the latest and most relevant information for importing into Canada today being provided in an interactive format. When you attend this course, you not only take away the fundamentals of international trade with the great white north, but you can gain topical insights into your business needs. 

Topics can include:

• Canada-specific documentation 
• Relevant government agencies and their requirements
• The types of entries that are available to you
• The role of tariff classification and country of origin can play
• Canadian Free Trade Agreements 

Who is this course for? 

This course will be of value to anyone in charge of or interested in compliant shipping into Canada. Owners, managers, supervisors, and logistics staff members will all take away key points and new understanding that will ultimately lead to more compliant importing and cost savings at the border. 

When is this course running?

The live webinar version of this course runs just once a year, and in 2024, it is coming up on February 8th. If you are interested in attending, it is highly recommended that you save your seat at the How to Import Into Canada Learning Center page today.

How To Import Into The US - September 26, 2024

Much like their northern cousins, importing into the US is often a complicated affair, and the consequences of getting it wrong at any step can be costly. Fortunately, PCB is proud to offer its expertise to those who are keen to meet the challenge. Like the Canadian version of this course, How to Import Into the US is presented in a live webinar form with a Q&A at its conclusion. With topical and up-to-date information from industry experts, you will leave this webinar better prepared for importing into the US under a wide range of conditions. From standard crossings to events and trade show imports, no relevant topic is off-limits.

Topics of discussion can include:

• Your role as an importer
• Relevant documentation
• US Partner Government Agencies
• Country of Origin regulations
• US Free Trade Agreement eligibility

Who is this course for? 

This course is designed for any member of your company who is involved in the US import process. From owner to logistics staff, there is always something new to learn and fresh skills to sharpen, particularly if you are confused about Customs audits or documents. 

When is this course running?

This course also runs once a year, and for 2024, it’s on September 26th. If you are interested in smoother imports into the US, we encourage you to check out the Learning Center page on How to Import into the US and book your seat!

How To Classify A Product - April 18, 2024

Our best-reviewed course and all-time favorite, How to Classify a Product, is a breakdown of everything involved in the world of tariff classification. As a live webinar with a lively Q&A at the end, there are few places where you can have industry experts provide keen insights and topical information relevant to your business’s international trade needs. Our experts dispel myths, highlight frequent pitfalls in the classification process, and provide ways for your business to become and stay compliant through the classification process. 

Who is the course for? 

Nearly across the board, if you are in the world of international trade, this course is for you. There is always something new to be learned in the often-shifting landscape of Customs regulations, and the opportunity to learn firsthand from industry leaders is not to be passed by. If your goal is to gain a sharper understanding of the process of importing your products, there is simply no better way than through the PCB Learning Center.

When is this course running?

This course takes place on April 18, 2024. Through this course, you will gain a comprehensive look into the processes that govern tariff classification, and if that sounds like something that could be a benefit to your business, we encourage you to check out How to Classify a Product on its Learning Center page and secure your seat.

How To Choose The Best Incoterm® - May 2, 2024

Incoterms® holds the distinction of being among the most underutilized tools in the international trader’s arsenal. Learning what they are and where they are most appropriate in your business dealings can significantly impact your bottom line. This two-hour live webinar is a complete guide to Incoterms®, including their type, selection, and how best to put this system to work for you and your business dealings. Through this webinar, you will also gain a better understanding of the rules of origin, free trade agreements, and the extent of the control you have over your Customs valuations.

Who is the course for? 

Incoterms® are relevant to anyone who works in international trade and logistics. Whether you are a buyer, seller, shipper, importer, exporter, or just in charge of customs documentation, this is one of the most universally applicable of our courses.

When is this course running?

This digital webinar is two hours long and will be live on Thursday, May 2nd, 2024. This course is an incredible opportunity to gain a better understanding of Incoterms® and how they can impact the international trade you engage in every day. Sign up for How to Choose the Best Incoterm® today at this course’s Learning Center page. 

How To Value A Product For Customs - November 21, 2024

One of our most popular courses, How to Value a Product for Customs, provides an in-depth look at perhaps the most complex of the Customs brokerage pillars - valuation. This course is a live webinar that provides an in-depth overview of the concepts and processes related to valuation. This includes the six valuation methods, when each method is most appropriate, and how each method intersects with the various government agencies operating at Customs. It also features a live Q&A where industry experts answer your questions and discuss valuation practices for your businesses along with the relevant issues challenging today’s importers. Taken together, you gain a comprehensive look at valuation and its place in your business’s supply chain.

Who is the course for? 

Valuation is one of the fundamental principles of importation, so any individual in a company or organization responsible for customs compliance or the accounting portion of the import process is recommended to attend. 

When is the course running?

This webinar will be taking place on November 21, 2024. To save your seat, register on the How to Value a Product for Customs page, but don’t wait - this is one of our most popular courses of the calendar year.