Customs and Cooking

Let's start off from a bit of a different perspective. Shall we? Importing a kit or a set "that is put up for retail sale" brings some challenges with respect to accurately classifying the goods with the most precise HS code for Customs clearance purposes. One of the main rules of classification is based on what is known as the " essential character ". What gives that kit or set its main characteristic? Further, how do we define what the main characteristic of a set is? Could it be based on the value of each item and the most expensive item gives the " essential character of a set"? Possibly... What about if we would define the " essential character " by determining what component will be used most or what component within the set will make the consumer buy the set? For example... If a hair clipper, comb, brush, scissors and mirror are all combined in an all-in-one set, how would this be classified upon importation? Here is another issue to ...

           Syrniki (pronounced "Seer-Nee-Kee") are Russian sweet cheese patties that can be served with sour cream or eaten plain. Syrniki were one of my favorites when I was growing up. If mom told us we were having Syrniki for dinner, it was cause for celebration! The question was were they baked or fried? You see, the ingredients were the same for both. However, the last step of the preparation process took something really good and made it great!  Homemade Syrniki (cheese patties)... - 500 grams of farmer's/dry cottage cheese - 4 large or 5 medium eggs - About half a cup of Sugar (depending on your taste, you can add more or less) - As you mix the above ingredients, add flour, a tablespoon at a time, until the mixture does not stick to your hands when making the patties. If baking... Shape patties about 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter and place on parchment paper. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 30 to 45 minutes. Patties should be a light...

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a story makes the picture clear! A young professional was just starting out and happened to have a very successful week. To celebrate, the professional wanted to make a cake.  The professional asked their partner if they could bake a celebratory cake together! "So what type of cake shall we bake?" "Great question! How about a strawberry shortcake!" "That would be difficult as we do not have white flour. Just whole wheat." "Well, it can't be that different, let the whole wheat flour assist in the baking process." "Oh my, just noticed, we have no oil, eggs, or cream and the icing is all used up! Shall we wait until our next grocery order to assist us in making the cake with the correct ingredients?" "No problem. We can mix the flour with water and add some sugar. The end result should be great with no ramifications!" "How about the strawberries? Don't we need those to a...

  Every dish, in the above picture, represents a different region... - Chinese  Honey Chili Chicken - Russian Potato Salad - Tunisian Almond/Pistaccio Pastillas  But who dictates what defines the origin of the finished dish? I am sure there will be many who read this BLOG and disagree that Potato Salad originated in Russia or that Honey Chili Chicken had its beginnings in China! (Some might argue that Honey Chili Chicken comes from CHILE!!!) Further, if you look at the ingredients of each dish, the various components used to make this tasty feast could come from all corners of the world... - Almonds: Grown and packaged in Spain - Carrots: Product of Russia - Chicken: Packaged in Canada - Mayonnaise: Made in USA - Pickles: Marinated and bottled in Israel - Potatoes: Product of Canada - Rice: Grown in Vietnam What defines where a dish originates from? Similarly, how do importers properly define the origin of a product when declaring the goods to Customs? As well, more imp...