TOP 100 MAGAZINE

Kim Campbell

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With more than 30 years of leadership experience in customs, both as a Canadian customs officer and in the private sector, Kim Campbell is a respected thought leader in the world of international trade. As the founder and president of mkmarin trade services inc., she has built a reputation as a trusted advisor to industry professionals, multinational organizations, and government bodies alike.

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Trade professionals like Kim operate behind the scenes, ensuring that goods flow seamlessly across borders—an essential but often overlooked function that keeps economies running. In Canada alone, more than $700 billion in goods move across its borders every year, and every shipment must get approval from the customs authority usually through a customs broker. With only about 300 licensed customs broker firms in the country, Kim’s expertise places her in an elite category.

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Kim has served on the boards of the Canadian Society of Customs Brokers and the Canadian Association of Importers and Exporters, where she held the role of chair. Currently, she sits on the board of CIFFA, which has expanded to include customs brokers and other industry stakeholders. Her focus remains on process improvement, technology integration, and advancing efficiencies in trade agreements.

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Founded in 2007 and based in Toronto, mkmarin trade services inc. is a niche trade services firm specializing in tailored brokerage solutions for large North American organizations. The firm is known for its expertise in Customs Self-Assessment (CSA) brokerage services, an innovative program by the Canada Border Services Agency that offers significant advantages to participants. The company also provides industry-leading returns solutions and cutting-edge compliance tools such as mbrella, which streamlines the secure collection and distribution of compliance data.

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With decades of expertise, a track record of leadership, and a commitment to driving change, Kim Campbell continues to shape the future of trade and customs, ensuring businesses can navigate the complexities of cross-border commerce with confidence.

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In this Q&A, Kim shares insights on the evolving landscape of international commerce, border security, and the critical role of customs brokers in navigating global challenges.

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Kim, what led you to start mkmarin trade services inc.?

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Customs brokerage is an industry where people are either born into it through family or fall into it by chance—I was the latter. After earning my psychology degree, I wasn’t sure what was next. I saw an ad for customs officers at Pearson Airport, applied, and was hired. It felt like the perfect mix of law enforcement without carrying a gun. I quickly became a superintendent, working on the tarmac to intercept drug shipments and helping design Canada Customs’ new release system, which is still in use 30 years later. I was able to take a leave of absence to join a major courier company and never looked back. After running freight forwarding and customs brokerage operations across Canada and parts of the U.S., I decided to launch my own firm. Nearly 20 years later, mkmarin trade services inc. continues to thrive, delivering specialized brokerage and compliance solutions to large North American organizations.

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What does a trade professional do, and why is your role so essential?

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At its core, trade professionals ensure that goods move seamlessly from their origin to their destination, navigating complex regulatory landscapes. While that may sound straightforward, the behind-the-scenes work is anything but.

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Global disruptions constantly reshape supply chains, requiring us to adapt in real time. The war in Ukraine, for example, disrupted critical exports like wheat, forcing immediate pivots. When U.S. or Canadian ports shut down due to weather or strikes, we reroute freight—sometimes through entirely different countries—to keep goods flowing. COVID embedded crisis response into our DNA; trade halted overnight, and we had to find ways to move essential goods fast.

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Now, with new tariffs under President Trump, we’re once again at the forefront, helping businesses mitigate risk, explore alternative sourcing, and leverage free trade agreements. With North America’s forced labor laws and evolving regulations, compliance is more critical—and complex—than ever. We’re the navigators in an increasingly uncertain trade landscape, ensuring that companies stay compliant, competitive, and operational.

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How are U.S. companies being affected by the tariff backlash in Canada?

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My U.S.-based clients are deeply concerned about potential retaliation tariffs and how they’ll impact their businesses. While we’ve navigated past trade disputes, this time feels different. The shift in Canadian sentiment is unprecedented. I’ve never seen consumers so focused on buying Canadian-made goods. Retailers across the country now have entire sections labeled “Made in Canada,” signaling a major behavioral shift.

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For U.S. manufacturers, this is concerning. Many have proudly labeled their products “Made in the USA” for years, but now they’re questioning whether that label could hurt them in the Canadian market. Another major concern is imported liquor, which is tightly controlled by provincial governments. When President Trump announced new tariffs, Ontario removed all US products from the shelves. Other provinces followed suit.

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The broader challenge is that Canadian businesses are thinking about how to service U.S. clients cost effectively and looking to diversifying to new markets. Many manufacturers are looking to alternative suppliers and leveraging Canada’s extensive free trade agreements with other countries. But compliance is complex and costly, and missteps can lead to massive fines. That’s where we come in, helping businesses navigate this shifting landscape and stay competitive.

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How does your work in customs enforcement contribute to safety in Canada and the U.S.?

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Ensuring the health, safety and security of our citizens is a joint responsibility of importers and border agencies. Customs brokers play a crucial role in collaborating with border agencies to assess the admissibility of goods into the country and ensure compliance with regulations. A key focus is preventing products sourced from forced-labor regions, such as China, from reaching the market.

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One of Canada’s most urgent concerns is fentanyl. Canadians take this issue very seriously, and the government has moved quickly to strengthen border security to prevent fentanyl from reaching both Canada and the U.S. We now have joint border patrols, increased air surveillance, and a newly formed government-private sector committee focused on fentanyl and its precursors. I’m honored to co-chair this initiative as an industry lead. The collaboration is crucial—government agencies have information that private-sector professionals don’t, and vice versa. By sharing information, we can flag suspicious shipments earlier in the supply chain, allowing for faster, more effective intervention.

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Kim Campbell
Founder and President
mkmarin trade services inc.
Website: http://mkmarin.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-campbell-ca/