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Recover Customs Duty — Risk-Free

Every year, Canadian businesses and importers in Canada pay millions in customs duties—often more than they actually owe. With the right tariff classification and customs duty recovery strategy, many products qualify for lower duty rates while staying 100% compliant with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
 
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How it works

Unlock Hidden Savings on Customs Duties

Every year, Canadian businesses pay millions in customs duties they may not actually owe. While overpayments can stem from straightforward errors, customs duty recovery is less about mistakes and more about interpretation and creating ideas, looking at your product and asking: How can we classify it at a more beneficial duty rate while remaining 100% compliant?
 
At Leyton Canada, we specialize in interpreting the tariff to ensure goods are correctly re-classified to your best financial benefit, all the while enhancing your customs compliance standing. With a 100% success-based fee structure, there’s no risk—if we don’t recover a refund for you, you owe us nothing.

How it helps

Overpaid Import Duties and Compliance Risks

01 Incorrect Tariff Classification

Incorrect Tariff Classification

Incorrect tariff classifications often lead to unnecessary customs duty costs and missed savings opportunities. While these overpayments often stem from straightforward interpretation errors, our team views tariff classification as an opportunity for strategic analysis. We examine your products in depth to determine how they can be classified at a more beneficial duty rate while remaining 100% compliant with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). Where applicable, we also leverage free trade agreements, including CUSMA, to help secure preferential duty treatment and maximize savings.
Incorrect Tariff Classification
02 Misapplied Valuation and Origin Errors

Misapplied Valuation and Origin Errors

Determining the exact transaction value of imported goods and navigating complex rules of origin can easily lead to costly errors. Minor miscalculations or misunderstandings of international trade agreements can result in duty overpayments or compliance penalties. Leyton Canada reviews your valuation methods and origin documentation to identify hidden savings opportunities through compliant, structural adjustments. Our team also provides ongoing customs consulting and proactive guidance to strengthen compliance, reduce future duty costs, and prevent recurring overpayments.
Misapplied Valuation and Origin Errors
03 Missed Duty Drawback Claims

Missed Duty Drawback Claims

Many companies remain completely unaware that they are entitled to recover duties previously paid on imported goods that are later exported or destroyed. Without a proactive tracking strategy, these eligible refunds simply expire after the statutory deadlines. We analyze your supply chain and production workflows to identify and file retroactive duty drawback claims, turning past administrative oversights into immediate cash recovery.
Missed Duty Drawback Claims

Leadership, Quantified

Our Impact in Figures

6000+

Businesses Supported Globally

29+

Years of Expertise

20

Countries

76%

Recovery Share via Tariff Classification

4-5 Years

Retroactive Recovery Window for Canadian Claims

Key eligivlity criteria

Tailored Customs & Tariff Relief Eligibility

Our in-house team of highly qualified trade compliance and customs experts supports thousands of importers each year in navigating complex CBSA regulations and maximizing duty recovery.

Key Importer Standing

Open to Canadian importers, foreign exporters, domestic manufacturers, or owners of goods who have paid customs duties to the CBSA.

Timeframe for Recovery

Refund claims can be filed retroactively within 4 years of the initial import date for classification errors, and up to 5 years if the goods were formally destroyed.

Supply Chain & Production

Full eligibility applies if imported goods are re-exported in the same condition, or if imported materials are used as components to manufacture products that are later exported.

Disposals & Defective Goods

Duties are recoverable if surplus, obsolete, or defective goods are destroyed under official CBSA supervision.

Exclusions

Please note that duty refunds apply strictly to customs tariffs and do not cover GST/HST or specialized excise duties on alcohol (wine, beer, and spirits).

OUR 6-STEP PROCESS

Your Path to Success

A rigorous approach designed to minimize risk and accelerate measurable impact across your organization.
 
01.

Quick Setup

We review and sign a simple engagement and authorization form.

02.

Data Collection

We request your FIRM report from CBSA and access import records via your customs broker.

03.

Detailed Analysis

Our analysts review entries for classification, valuation, origin, and drawback opportunities.

04.

Opportunity Presentation

We share our findings for your explicit approval before filing any claims.

05.

Claim Filing

We submit all formal documentation and manage the process until your refund check is issued.

06.

Ongoing Savings

We provide ongoing advice to ensure your future trade configurations prevent overpayment.

CUSTOMS DUTY RECOVERY

Book a Free Assessment

Ready to optimize your import costs? Schedule a 30-minute scoping session with one of our specialized Canadian customs consultants to review your trade data and identify hidden refund opportunities.
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Everything You Need to Know

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are answers to the most common questions about customs duty recovery and refund timelines in Canada.

How far back can I claim a customs duty refund in Canada?

Businesses can file customs duty recovery claims with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) for up to four years from the original import date. This four-year lookback period allows companies to reclaim significant customs refunds on past shipments while maintaining full compliance.

 

The main cause is incorrect HS classification codes, which can assign goods to higher duty rates than necessary. Other frequent issues include misapplied customs valuation methods, incorrect determination of country of origin under trade agreements such as CUSMA, and missed duty drawback opportunities when goods are re-exported, unused, or destroyed.

 

Once import data and FIRM reports are accessed, the analysis phase typically takes a few weeks. Filing and CBSA processing times vary, but refunds are often received within several months. Full visibility is provided throughout the process with regular updates on progress and timelines.
 

Leyton delivers end-to-end customs duty recovery services: analyzing data, filing refund claims, and defending them before CBSA or the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) if required. After refunds are secured, we recommend strategies to optimize tariff classification, valuation, and duty drawback programs, ensuring you achieve ongoing savings on future imports.

Talk to a specialist

 
No. Our process reduces risk by improving trade compliance. We thoroughly review your tariff codes, valuation, and origin documentation to strengthen your customs position. All CBSA refund claims are filed with complete documentation, ensuring transparency and minimizing the chance of audit issues or penalties.
 
There is zero financial risk. Leyton works on a success-based contingency fee: if no refund is recovered, you pay nothing. Our model ensures that we are motivated to maximize your customs duty refunds while protecting your compliance with CBSA rules.