Century-old Victoria customs broker offers a global reach with a local touch…
King Bros. navigates complex waters of international trade regulations to help clients succeed
Author of the article:Peter Kenter • Postmedia Content Works
Publishing date:Apr 02, 2021 • April 2, 2021 • 3 minute read
Technology has extended the geographic reach of Canadian customs brokers who can now electronically manage air and marine cargo crossing the country’s borders. Operating from Victoria, B.C., independent customs brokerage King Bros. Ltd. sees another advantage: technology continues to extend the reach of the white glove service offered by its team of customs and logistics experts to the Lower Mainland and beyond.
“Almost 99 per cent of all transactions and communications with the Canada Border Services Agency and other government departments is now electronic,” says King Bros. president Simon Smith. “We handle business for clients in the Lower Mainland just as efficiently as we do on the island. But unlike multi-national brokerages, we know these ports and understand the unique needs of the local clients who utilize them.”
King Bros. has always believed in hiring locally and promoting from within. The original “King Bros.”, Henry and Edward, opened their business in 1911, assisting steamships carrying cargo through the Port of Victoria. Cecil Ridout, a young “runner” who carried communications to the customs office, eventually became owner of the company. Smith joined the company 29 years ago as a runner himself, trained in part by Cecil’s son, Paul Ridout. Today, as company president, he’s also a majority owner, serving alongside a team of 10 employees, many of whom have worked with the company for 10 to 15 years.
“We work for clients ranging in size from mom and pop companies who may only import once or twice a year, to large companies who rely on time-sensitive imports several times a week,” says Smith. “Many of them have been with us for a quarter-century or more.”
King Bros. prides itself on keeping up to date on legislation and the many government regulations, and trade agreements governing cargo shipments into Canada. By understanding client businesses, the brokerage identifies how these unfolding agreements can benefit them.
“There are myriad regulations that make it possible to claim exemptions or reduce duties and taxes,” says Smith. “As a local and independent brokerage, we take the time to investigate and apply any potential benefit on their behalf. If you’re a courier company whose primary goal is to move large volumes of freight through customs, you might be less inclined to investigate how these small but significant advantages can benefit your customers.”
King Bros. clients are typically assigned to a single employee they know by name and can contact directly. Brokerage agents offer full transparency and up-to-the minute information on the location and clearance status of cargo imports, which they’ve followed from the port of loading.
Once a shipment arrives at the point of entry, it’s up to King Bros. to leverage its relationships with local carriers to reliably and efficiently transport the cargo on the final leg of its journey, from port to door, avoiding potential demurrage or storage charges.
One of King Bros.’ unique clients is Victoria-based VIH Helicopters. The company has provided global aviation services since 1955, supporting forestry, remote construction, oil and gas exploration and firefighting efforts. The company’s rugged Russian-built Kamov helicopters are kept in top shape with a steady supply of air-delivered replacement parts, from rotors and fuselages to gearboxes exported from Russia and Ukraine to Vancouver.
“We’ve used King Bros, as our broker for at least 25 years,” says Mike Pleice, the company’s logistics supervisor. “They know more than their own business; they also know our business. Importing these components is complicated, and we receive personalized service in ensuring that these shipments are processed in the most efficient way possible.
“Simon and his crew keep on top of developments in trade treaties and free trade agreements, so if there’s a change that applies to us, they’ve always made sure we receive that benefit.”
As technology continues to make it easier for businesses and brokerages to work together, regardless of geography, Smith sees an emerging business landscape in which companies gravitate to each other based on shared values.
“We believe there are many companies in the province in general and the Lower Mainland in particular who share our philosophy,” he says. “We believe that when we work with you, we’re in business together. We succeed only when we make your business more successful.”
King Bros. navigates complex waters of international trade regulations to help clients succeed
Author of the article:Peter Kenter • Postmedia Content Works
Publishing date:Apr 02, 2021 • April 2, 2021 • 3 minute read
Technology has extended the geographic reach of Canadian customs brokers who can now electronically manage air and marine cargo crossing the country’s borders. Operating from Victoria, B.C., independent customs brokerage King Bros. Ltd. sees another advantage: technology continues to extend the reach of the white glove service offered by its team of customs and logistics experts to the Lower Mainland and beyond.
“Almost 99 per cent of all transactions and communications with the Canada Border Services Agency and other government departments is now electronic,” says King Bros. president Simon Smith. “We handle business for clients in the Lower Mainland just as efficiently as we do on the island. But unlike multi-national brokerages, we know these ports and understand the unique needs of the local clients who utilize them.”
King Bros. has always believed in hiring locally and promoting from within. The original “King Bros.”, Henry and Edward, opened their business in 1911, assisting steamships carrying cargo through the Port of Victoria. Cecil Ridout, a young “runner” who carried communications to the customs office, eventually became owner of the company. Smith joined the company 29 years ago as a runner himself, trained in part by Cecil’s son, Paul Ridout. Today, as company president, he’s also a majority owner, serving alongside a team of 10 employees, many of whom have worked with the company for 10 to 15 years.
“We work for clients ranging in size from mom and pop companies who may only import once or twice a year, to large companies who rely on time-sensitive imports several times a week,” says Smith. “Many of them have been with us for a quarter-century or more.”
King Bros. prides itself on keeping up to date on legislation and the many government regulations, and trade agreements governing cargo shipments into Canada. By understanding client businesses, the brokerage identifies how these unfolding agreements can benefit them.
“There are myriad regulations that make it possible to claim exemptions or reduce duties and taxes,” says Smith. “As a local and independent brokerage, we take the time to investigate and apply any potential benefit on their behalf. If you’re a courier company whose primary goal is to move large volumes of freight through customs, you might be less inclined to investigate how these small but significant advantages can benefit your customers.”
King Bros. clients are typically assigned to a single employee they know by name and can contact directly. Brokerage agents offer full transparency and up-to-the minute information on the location and clearance status of cargo imports, which they’ve followed from the port of loading.
Once a shipment arrives at the point of entry, it’s up to King Bros. to leverage its relationships with local carriers to reliably and efficiently transport the cargo on the final leg of its journey, from port to door, avoiding potential demurrage or storage charges.
One of King Bros.’ unique clients is Victoria-based VIH Helicopters. The company has provided global aviation services since 1955, supporting forestry, remote construction, oil and gas exploration and firefighting efforts. The company’s rugged Russian-built Kamov helicopters are kept in top shape with a steady supply of air-delivered replacement parts, from rotors and fuselages to gearboxes exported from Russia and Ukraine to Vancouver.
“We’ve used King Bros, as our broker for at least 25 years,” says Mike Pleice, the company’s logistics supervisor. “They know more than their own business; they also know our business. Importing these components is complicated, and we receive personalized service in ensuring that these shipments are processed in the most efficient way possible.
“Simon and his crew keep on top of developments in trade treaties and free trade agreements, so if there’s a change that applies to us, they’ve always made sure we receive that benefit.”
As technology continues to make it easier for businesses and brokerages to work together, regardless of geography, Smith sees an emerging business landscape in which companies gravitate to each other based on shared values.
“We believe there are many companies in the province in general and the Lower Mainland in particular who share our philosophy,” he says. “We believe that when we work with you, we’re in business together. We succeed only when we make your business more successful.”
