News & Information about Transborder and International Trade from GHY International
(CBSA)
In Brief
The following document replaces the previous Memorandum D8-1-2 dated October 5, 2012.
Changes have been made to reflect a headquarters operations realignment.
Complete details can be found here.
Date: March 19, 2013
(CBSA)
In Brief
1. This memorandum has been revised to:
(a) Update the amount for late accounting penalty to $100.00 (from $25.00);
(b) Reflect the increase of the amount for HVS (High Value Shipments) to a value exceeding $2,500.00 and for LVS (Low Value Shipments) to a value not exceeding $2,500.00;
(c) Incorporate related customs notices 10-005 (Processing of Form B2 Adjustment Request) and 12-015 (Use of Customs Brokers’ Business Numbers for Non-commercial Casual Importers and One-time Commercial Importers);
(d) To reflect the handling of waiver or cancellation of late accounting penalties and interest by CBSA Recourse Directorate;
(e) Update related forms; and
(f) Update various Web site references and contact information.
2. This memorandum has been rewritten to incorporate the changes outlined above. You are requested to replace the previous version with this one.
For complete details, please go here.
Date: March 14, 2013
(CBSA)
In Brief
1. The increase in the Low Value Shipment (LVS) threshold has been reflected.
2. The name of the issuing office has been updated.
Complete details here.
Date: March 5, 2013
(CBSA)
In Brief
This memorandum has been revised to reflect organizational changes resulting from the restructuring of the Canada Border Services Agency on April 1, 2010, and to provide general updates clarifying refund procedures.
Date: February 8, 2013
(CBSA)
In Brief
This memorandum contains the CJFTA Rules of Origin Regulations and provides a link to the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (FAITC) Web site where the Rules of Origin for the CJFTA may be found.
Date: February 8, 2013
CBSA
In Brief
This memorandum has been revised to reflect the Amendment 11 to the Energy Efficiency Regulations; it outlines responsibilities of the Canada Border Services Agency and Natural Resources Canada and provides procedures for the control of importation of energy-using products.
Date: January 28, 2013
(CBSA)
In Brief
1. This memorandum outlines how Tariff Item 9898.00.00 of the Customs Tariff, the Criminal Code, the Firearms Act, and the Export and Import Permits Act relate to the importing and exporting of firearms, firearm parts, weapons, devices, and certain types of ammunition.
2. This memorandum replaces Memorandum D19-13-2 dated June 23, 2009. The following changes were made:
(a) The confirmation of the deactivation of a firearm has been amended to reflect the Registrar and not the Chief Firearms Officer
(b) Clarification on detention and seizure procedures
(c) Update to “Issuing Office” and program area
(d) Amendments to the Firearms Act and Criminal Code to repeal the long gun registry.
Date: January 24, 2013
(CBSA)
Interpretation of the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act (WAPPRIITA) and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
In Brief
1. This memorandum has been updated to reflect current information and procedures. The provisions of the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act and the Wild Animal and Plant Trade Regulations outlined in the cancelled Memorandum D19-13-1, Species Designated as Harmful to Canadian Ecosystems – Exportation of Wild Animals and Plants Subject to Provincial or Territorial Controls, are incorporated in this memorandum.
2. Former appendices have been replaced by a list of relevant Web site links.
Complete details here.
Date: January 11, 2013
(CBSA)
In Brief
This memorandum replaces CBSA Memorandum D10-14-59, issued February 9, 2011. It outlines the policy of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) with respect to the tariff classification of textile fabrics that have been impregnated, coated, covered or laminated on one side with cellular plastic, and garments made up of such fabric.
Date: January 2, 2013
(CBSA)
1. This memorandum outlines and explains the provisions of the Blouses, Shirts and Co-ordinates Remission Order, 1998.
2. This memorandum now includes a hyperlink to the Department of Justice Canada Web site to view the Blouses, Shirts and Co-ordinates Remission Order, 1998.
3. This memorandum now contains a hyperlink to the Canada Border Services Agency’s (CBSA) regional offices. Therefore Appendix B has been removed.
4. The memorandum also includes new references to sources of the Canada Border Services Agency’s (CBSA) information.
Date: December 6, 2012
The following new D-memos and Customs Notices were added to the CBSA website:
• D8-11-2 Application of the Outerwear Greige Fabrics Remissions Order, 1998
• D8-11-3 Application of the Shirting Fabrics Remission Order, 1998
• D8-11-4 Application of the Outerwear Apparel Remission Order, 1998
• CN-12-031 Changes to the Import Requirements for Non-restricted Firearms
Date: December 4, 2012
(CBSA)
This new memorandum is being published to explain the circumstances whereby entitlement to remission of customs duties pursuant to the Textile and Apparel Remission Orders may be transferred or subject to a partnering agreement. Full details can be found at here
Date: November 29, 2012
(CBSA)
This memorandum has been revised to reflect the creation of the Canada Border Services Agency on December 12, 2003. Additional revisions include the implementation free trade agreements; revisions to the GST; and updates to B3 examples with the changes specified as follows:
1. The implementation of the following free trade agreements:
(a) Bill C-2, Canada and the States of the European Free Trade Association (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) Free Trade Agreement on January 29, 2009 (CEFTA),
(b) Bill C-24, Canada-Peru Free Trade Agreement (CPFTA) on August 1, 2009,
(c) Bill C-2, Canada-Colombia Free Agreement (CCOFTA) on August 15, 2011.
2. The revised rate of GST to show as 5%.
3. The elimination of excise tax on clocks.
4. Many of the B3 examples have been changed to reflect the new classification provisions.
5. In Appendix B the B3 examples for tobacco products have been amended with new coding instructions.
6. The excise tax on tobacco products has been eliminated and replaced by excise duty.
7. The heavy vehicle weight tax has been replaced by the fuel-inefficient vehicle tax which applies to automobiles (including station wagons, vans, and sport utility vehicles) designed primarily for use as passenger vehicles.
8. In Appendix H the lists have been updated.
9. Tariff treatment codes “22”, “23” and “24” will be used for goods entitled to the CEFTA Tariff (Iceland, Norway Switzerland and Liechtenstein).
10. Tariff treatment code “25” will be used for goods entitled to the CPFTA (Peru).
11. Tariff treatment code “26” will be used for goods entitled to the CCOFTA (Colombia).
Full details can be found here.
Date: November 29, 2012
As a result of input from various national trade associations, the CFIA has extended the comment period on the Phytosanitary requirements for imported grain and legumes until February 15, 2013.
This applies to draft directives,“D-12-04 Phytosanitary import requirements for grain of field crops including pulses, oilseeds, cereals (other than barley, oat, rye, triticale, and wheat), forages and other special crops from all origins except the continental United States” and “D-12-05 Phytosanitary import requirements for grain of field crops including pulses, oilseeds, cereals (other than barley, oats, rye, triticale, and wheat), forages, and other special crops from the continental United States.”
In addition, the enforcement date of December 1, 2012 has been cancelled. A new date may be established once comments from industry have been reviewed in 2013.
Date: November 20, 2012
Effective December 1, 2012 the CFIA will require either a phytosanitary certificate or an import permit for the import of a variety of grains from the U.S. and foreign countries. Grain shipments impacted are those for direct human or animal consumption, those imported for further processing for human consumption or animal feed or research, education and testing. Grains regulated include: rice, soya beans, peanuts, legumes [peas, beans, lentils etc.], canola, corn, and mustard.
D-12-05 describes the requirements for grain shipments originating from the U.S. and D-12-04 the requirements for shipments originating from foreign countries other than the U.S.
Date: November 13, 2012
(CSCB)
This memorandum outlines the administrative policy of the Canada Border Services Agency regarding the tariff classification of costumes.
Full document here. Last modified: 2012-09-20
Date: September 25, 2012
Exchange rate for calculation of value for duty under the Customs Act
This Memorandum provides information concerning the date to be used for currency conversion in the calculation of value for duty under the Customs Act.
To obtain the full document in an alternative format, please send a request to: publishing.publications@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca
Full Document PDF (205 KB)
Date: September 7, 2012
(CBSA)
The purpose of this bulletin is to inform you of the upcoming AMPS changes that will take effect in the MPD and ICS on July 4th, 2012. The changes are:
1. Expiration of nine Customs Self Assessment (CSA) contraventions: C235, C237, C238, C241, C242, C256, C257, C258 and C259.
2. Amendment to the wording of the following contraventions: C008, C037, C194, C246 and C360.
3. Addition of a new document type - “Case” - to the document type drop-down list.
In addition to the above, the guidelines, found on the MPD, for the contraventions C005, C008, C037, C170, C244, C246, C315, C317, C346, C368, and C369, have been revised to increase clarity in order to avoid any misinterpretation by the trade community or CBSA officers whenever these contraventions are applied. The Generic Principles provided on the first page of the MPD have also been updated to further elaborate how AMPS penalties are applied.
Effective July 4th, 2012, the following system related problems will be resolved.
1. Point in Time
Upon viewing or printing a previously issued Notice of Penalty Assessment (NPA), the screen will now display the same penalty parameters and penalty amounts, work location (address and phone number) and references to D-Memos and legislation as were applicable at the time the original PA was issued rather than the current parameters and penalty amounts.
Upon searching for a Contravention code, the system has been corrected to display the appropriate penalty amount and parameter descriptions based on the date entered on the Search Contravention by Code screen.
2. AMPS not assigning correct level in Review – Amend function
The problem has been resolved for situations where a Correction Review is processed to amend penalty level for contraventions subject to the 30-day non-escalation rule. The system has been corrected to meet the 30 day non-escalation requirement in the event where a Review is processed to amend the penalty level.
3. Penalty Assessment (PA) & Review not found in Client History Search in some cases
The system has been corrected to now display the PA and its associated review within the Client Contravention History in cases where an override was done at the time of the penalty assessment.
Enquiries and comments about this bulletin should be directed to:
Horizontal Border Programs Unit
Canada Border Services Agency
E-mail: AMPS_Enquiries-RSAP_Questions@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca
Ottawa, ON K1A 0L8
Canada
Date: July 6, 2012
D2-3-1 http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d2/d2-3-1-eng.html
Revised: Personal Exemptions for Residents Returning to Canada
D2-3-2 http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d2/d2-3-2-eng.html
Revised: Former Residents of Canada – Tariff Item No.9805.00.00
D9-1-9 http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d9/d9-1-9-eng.html
Revised: False Description of Geographical Origin of Goods and Goods With Trade Marks – Tariff Item No. 9897.00.00
CN12-016 http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/publications/cn-ad/cn12-016-eng.html
Release and Accounting of Casual Goods, Including Live Animals, in the Commercial Stream
CN12-015 http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/publications/cn-ad/cn12-015-eng.html
Use of Customs Brokers’ Business Numbers for Non-commercial Casual Importers and One-time Commercial Importers
Date: June 1, 2012
(CBSA)
This memorandum replaces Memorandum D17-1-4 dated September 19, 2008. The following changes have been made:
1. Guidelines for the use of Form A48, R.M.D. Correction (Release on Minimal Documentation) can be found in paragraphs 50-61.
2. Paragraphs 11 and 12 “After Hours Procedures” have been removed and are now included under paragraph 45 and 46.
3. References to Group of Seven Industrialized Nations (G7), Electronic Release on Full Documentation (RFD) and Electronic Pre-Arrival on Full Documentation (PAFD) as options for release have been removed.
4. Exceptions to Electronic Data Interchange (EDI); paragraph 41and Appendix C have been modified to include:
(b) phased in time lines for mandatory EDI in preparation for eManifest end-state;
(j) Regulated goods qualifying for tariff classification 9813 or 9814 (“Canadian Goods Returning”); and
(k) Release request is submitted to a non-automated Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) office.
5. Phased-in time frame to increase the number of lines requiring a 10-digit Harmonized System (HS) code at time of interim accounting has been added to paragraph 43(8)(i).
6. New information regarding Low Value Shipments (LVS) valued at $1600 or less and mandatory HS codes has been added to paragraph 41(8)(vii).
7. Release processing of “hand-carried goods” (HCG) has been added to paragraphs 110 and 111.
8. Release processing of HCG for Customs Self Assessment (CSA) importers has been added to paragraphs 117 to 120.
Date: April 20, 2012
