G/LIC/N/3/CAN/17  
 
1 October 2018  
(18-6056) Page: 1/55 
Committee on Import Licensing  Original: English  
 
 
REPLIES TO QUESTIONN AIRE ON IMPORT LICEN SING PROCEDURES1 
NOTIFICATION UNDER A RTICLE 7.3 OF THE AG REEMENT  
ON IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES (201 7) 
CANADA  
The following communication, dated  24 September 201 8 is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of Canada.  
 
_______________  
 
 
Introduction  
 
Import licenses are administered by a limited number of government departments.  It is not 
practical, however, to provide a general description of the proced ures involved as they vary, in 
certain particulars, from department to department.  Consequently, replies to the Questionnaire 
have been organized according to the different legislative instruments under which import licenses 
are maintained.   
 
For this ye ar, all questionnaire replies have been set out under each section.  Canada’s previous 
reports referred to past questionnaire replies where there have been no updates.  
 
 
 
_______________  
 
  
                                                
1 See G/LIC/3, Annex, for the Questionnaire.  G/LIC/N/3/CAN/17  
 
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1   CONTROLLED DRUGS  AND SUBSTANCES ACT  ................................ ..............................  3 
2   FOOD AND DRUGS A CT ................................ ................................ ................................  6 
3   GROWER REQUESTED OWN U SE (GROU) PROGRAM  ................................ ....................  9 
4   EXPLOSIVES ACT  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 12 
5   NUCLEAR SAFETY A ND CONTROL ACT  ................................ ................................ ....... 14 
6   NATIONAL ENERGY BOARD ACT  ................................ ................................ ................  16 
7   EXPORT AND IMPOR T PERMITS ACT  ................................ ................................ ..........  18 
7.1   A. General Responses Applicable to Dairy Products; Chicken, Turkey and Eggs; Broiler 
Hatching Eggs and Chicks; Beef and Veal; Margarine; Wheat, Barley and their products  ............. 19 
7.2   Other Responses – by Product Groups  ................................ ................................ ........... 21 
7.2.1    Dairy Products  ................................ ................................ ................................ ......... 21 
7.2.2    Chicken, Turkey and Eggs  ................................ ................................ ......................... 23 
7.2.3    Broiler Hatching Eggs and Chicks  ................................ ................................ ............... 25 
7.2.4    Beef and Veal  ................................ ................................ ................................ .......... 27 
7.2.5    Margarine  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............... 28 
7.2.6    Wheat, Barley and their Products  ................................ ................................ ............... 30 
7.2.7    Textiles  ................................ ................................ ................................ .................. 31 
7.2.8    Clothing  ................................ ................................ ................................ .................. 34 
7.2.9    Carbon and Specialty Steel  ................................ ................................ ....................... 37 
8   PLANT PROTECTION  ACT ................................ ................................ ...........................  38 
9   HEALTH OF ANIMAL S ACT  ................................ ................................ .........................  40 
10   FISH INSPECTION  ACT ................................ ................................ ............................  43 
11   CANADA AGRICULT URAL PRODUCTS ACT  ................................ ................................  46 
11.1   Licensing and Arbitration Regulations  ................................ ................................ .......... 46 
11.2   Dairy Product Regulations  ................................ ................................ .......................... 48 
12   WILD ANIMAL AND  PLANT PROTECTION AN D REGULATION OF INTE RNATIONAL AND 
INTERPROVINCIAL TRAD E ACT  ................................ ................................ ......................  51 
13   EXPORT AND IMPO RT OF ROUGH DIAMONDS  ACT ................................ ...................  52 
 
 
 
 G/LIC/N/3/CAN/17  
 
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  1  CONTRO LLED DRUGS AND SUBST ANCES ACT  
Outline of system  
1.  The importation of controlled substances and precursor chemicals is governed by regulations 
made under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA), which was enacted in 1996 and came 
into force in 1997.  The CDSA is the means by which Canada fulfils its obligations under the UN 
Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961, the UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971, 
and the UN Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotics Drugs and Psychotrop ic Substances, 
1988.The CDSA establishes a legislative framework that prohibits all activities, e.g., importation, 
exportation, production, distribution, etc., with controlled substances and precursor chemicals, 
unless authorized by regulation.  The regula tions made under the CDSA therefore set out the 
circumstances under which activities with controlled substances and precursor chemicals are 
permitted.  
 
The substances regulated under the CDSA are grouped into six Schedules (Schedules I to VI) to the 
Act.  Schedules I to V list controlled substances (including analgesics, stimulants, sedatives, 
hallucinogens and anabolic steroids) while Schedule VI lists precursor chemicals. Schedule V lists 
substances which the Minister  of Health decides to control on a tem porary basis (up to one year with 
the possible extension for another year) in response to significant risk to public health and safety. 
Currently there is no substance in this Schedule. Schedule IX lists the designated devices that are 
required to be regis tered with Health Canada before being imported into Canada.  
 
The following regulations outline provisions pertaining to the legal import of controlled substances 
and precursor chemicals:  
 
"Controlled Substances"  
 
- Benzodiazepines and Other Targeted Substances Regulations [targeted substances]: Sets out 
the circumstances and requirements in which producers, distributors, importers, exporters, 
pharmacists, practitioners and hospitals may conduct regulated activities i ncluding 
possession, sale, distribution, importing and exporting, and production of substances listed in 
the Schedules to the Regulations. These Regulations also apply to benzodiazepines and other 
psychoactive substances defined as targeted substances unde r the regulations.  
 
- Narcotic Control Regulations [narcotics]:  Sets out the circumstances and requirements in 
which producers, distributors, importers, exporters, pharmacists, practitioners and hospitals 
may cond uct regulated activities including possess ion, sale, distribution, importing and 
exporting, and production of substances listed in the Schedule to these Regulations referred 
to as “narcotics”.  Examples of narcotics included in this group are cocaine, opium, codeine 
and morphine.  
 
-  Part G of the  Food and Drug Regulations [controlled drugs]: Governs the activities of 
producers, distributors, importers, exporters, pharmacists, practitioners, and hospitals 
including possession, sale, distribution, importing, exporting, and production of substances 
listed in the Schedule to these Regulations and referred to as “controlled drugs” such as 
stimulants, sedatives, and anabolic steroids.  
 
-   Part J of the Food and Drug Regulations [restricted drugs]: Governs the activities of producers, 
distributors, impor ters, exporters, and research institutions including possession, sale, 
distribution, importing, exporting, and production of substances listed in the Schedule to these 
Regulations and referred to as “restricted drugs” such as MDMA, LSD, and psilocybin.  
 
"Precursor Chemicals"  
 
-  Precursor Control Regulations: Sets out the circumstances and requirements in which 
producers, distributors, importers, exporters, pharmacists, practitioners, and hospitals may 
conduct regulated activities, including production, sal e/provision, packaging, importation and 
exportation of two broad classes of chemicals listed in Parts 1 and 2 of Schedule VI to the 
CDSA:  
 
-  Class A precursors: ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, piperidine, red/white phosphorus, etc.  G/LIC/N/3/CAN/17  
 
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  - Class B precursors: aceto ne, hydrochloric acid, toluene, etc.  
 
While these regulations govern the import of controlled substances and precursors, they may be 
referred to as two different “licensing/permit systems” – as procedures vary somewhat between the 
classes of substances – overall, the “systems” are very similar.  In this regard, unless otherwise 
specified in the text below, procedures are the same for each type of substance.  
 
“Designated Devices Registry: Importation of Pill Presses and Encapsulators”  
 
Definition of Designated Devices . 
 
Pill press: Manual, semi -automatic or fully automatic device that may be used to compact or mould 
powdered, granular or semi -solid material to produce coherent solid tablets . 
 
Encapsulator: Manual, semi -automatic or fully automatic dev ice that may be used to fill capsules 
with any powdered, granular, semi -solid or liquid material . 
 
Designated devices may be used for legitimate purposes in the pharmaceutical, food and consumer 
products industries. As of 18 May 2017, any individual or bus iness who wishes to import a designated 
device into Canada is required to register with Health Canada. Legitimate users are required to 
provide the registration number and proof/confirmation of the registration at the border upon 
importation of the designa ted device. Registration is not onerous; the burden on legitimate 
manufacturers is limited. Failure to register a designated device before importing it across the 
Canadian border is in violation of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Subsequently, Cus toms 
officers may notify Health Canada and/or law enforcement when the device arrives at the border. 
Border officials, at their discretion, may verify registration with Health Canada.  
 
Health Canada aims to process completed application forms within 15 bus iness days. Incomplete 
forms will be returned to the applicant and delay the registration process. Applicants are therefore 
encouraged to ensure they have provided the complete form. Health Canada encourages applicants 
to ensure that the application for re gistration is complete and submitted in good time.  
 
Each designated device must be registered using a separate app lication form and is valid for one 
importation. Once the registration has been processed by Health Canada, applicants will be provided 
with t he registration number for the designated device specified on the form, and a copy of the 
validated registration form.  
 
Purpose and coverage of licensing  
2. Prospective importers of controlled substances and precursor chemicals must be authorized under 
respective regulations to conduct importation with specific substance s.  With the exception of Class  B 
precursor chemicals, an authorized importer must apply for an import permit for each individual 
shipment.  The application must specify the supplier's name,  address and country, the quantity and 
type of substances being imported as well as the method of transport and the Customs port of entry.  
Import permits are valid for one shipment only.  
 
3.  The system applies to controlled substances and precursor chemi cals from all countries. While 
there is no actual restriction on which countries these substances can be imported from, substances 
are rarely imported from countries that are not party to the UN Drug Control Conventions.  However, 
not all substances that a re controlled in Canada are controlled in other jurisdictions (e.g., analogues, 
salts or derivatives of certain controlled substances, anabolic steroids, etc.).  
 
4. The import permit system is intended to ensure the legitimate trade in controlled substanc es and 
precursor chemicals and minimize the risk of those substances being diverted to illicit markets by 
monitoring internationally the movement of shipments of these substances, taking into 
consideration, among other things, annual national estimates for  controlled substances submitted 
by Canada to the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB).  The Canadian regulatory system is 
required to have an import control component to it under the UN Drug Control Conventions.  
 
5.  See paragraph 1.  
 G/LIC/N/3/CAN/17  
 
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  Procedures  
6. I. Allocations of quotas for narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances (considered “controlled 
substances” in Canada) are published by the United Nations, and this information is provided 
to dealers upon request and is available on the INCB website.  An y nation exporting controlled 
substances may obtain information on Canadian quotas through the INCB.  Canada does not 
allocate a specific quantity to any foreign country or domestic importer . 
 
II.  The qu otas for narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances (“controlled substances”) are 
allocated annually in accordance with the requirements of the INCB.  
 
III.  Permits to import controlled substances and Class A precursor chemicals are only issued to 
dealers who are licensed to import and conduct other activit ies with the relevant substances.  
Licensed dealers are also required to inform the Office of Controlled Substances (Health 
Canada) when an import has taken place, including the quantity imported. Unused portions 
of permits for these substances and quantit ies from cancelled permits are credited back to the 
quota for the curr ent year. The names  of licensed importers are not published for 
confidentiality and security reasons.  The Office of Controlled Substances sends three copies 
of the permit to the applica nt, and it is the applicant’s responsibility to send copies of import 
permits to the exporting country and the customs broker.  
 
IV.  All quotas are established on an annual basis, and an application amendment to this quota 
may be made at any time during th e year. Import permit  applications are accepted 
year-round. Quotas submitted to the INCB are annual estimates of controlled substances for 
legitimate needs in Canada. When necessary, Canada may amend the estimates by submitting 
supplementary estimates to t he INCB.  
 
V.  Import permits are usually issued within thirty business days of receipt of the application.  
  
VI.  Import permits are issued for immediate importation except when a dealer has indicated a 
wish to import during the following calendar year.  In this case, the permit becomes valid 
January first of that year.  Permits for controlled substances are valid for  three months from 
the date of issue with none extending beyond 31st  December  of any given year, or until the 
expiry date of the licence, whichever is earlier. Permits for precursor chemicals are valid for a 
maximum of six months or until the expiry date of the licence, whichever is earlier.  
 
VII.  All applications for import permit are reviewed by the Office of Controlled Substances.   
 
VIII.  Import permits are issued on a first -come, first -serve basis, provided that the applicant 
submits a complete appl ication. There is no maximum amount allocated per applicant.  
Applications are examined for accuracy on receipt. In addition, applications made by forensic, 
coroner’s office and other law enforcement agencies for reference standards are processed as 
priorities. 
 
IX.  In accordance with the UN drug control conventions, a shipment of narcotic drug, psychotropic 
substances or precursor must be authorized by both the importing and exporting countries.  
 
X.   Not applicable.  
 
XI.  No.  
 
7.(a) Import permits are u sually issued thirty business days upon receipt of a complete permit 
application.  
 
(b)  Import permits are usually issued within thirty business days upon receipt of a complete 
permit application.   
 
(c)  No. Permits are valid for three months from the date  of issue and none extend beyond 
December 31 of the year in which they were issued for controlled substances. For precursor 
chemicals, permits are valid for six months or until the expiry date of the licence, and may 
cover two calendar years.    
 G/LIC/N/3/CAN/17  
 
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  (d)  All applications to import controlled substances and precursor chemicals are reviewed by the 
Office of Controlled Substances.  Import permits are issued by the Office on the behalf of the 
Minister of Health .  
 
8.  Generally, an application for an import permit  will be refused if the applicant does not hold a 
dealer’s licence for the substance that is to be imported or holds a dealer’s licence that will expire 
before the date of importation, if the applicant has provided false or misleading information in the 
application, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe the importation would contravene the laws 
of the country of export or any country of transit/transhipment.  This information is clearly provided 
to the applicant. Yes, the applicant is given a right to appeal, as is outlined in the above Regulations.  
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for a permit  
9. For controlled substances and Class A precursor chemicals, eligibility to apply for import permits 
is limited to individuals or companies licensed to im port these substances in Canada.  While 
businesses that import Class B precursors must be registered with Health Canada, import permits 
are not required for individual shipments of those substances.  There is no fee attached to import 
permits.  However, a fee and other requirements may apply to obtain the licence to conduct 
regulated activities with controlled substances domestically.  There is no fee for a Class A precursor 
licence or a Class B precursor registration.  
 
Documentation and other requirements for a permit application  
10. For controlled substances and Class A precursors, applicants must provide in the import permit 
application form the name and quantity of substances, the address of the importer and exporter, 
mode of transport, port of entry an d the name of transit/transhipment country. In addition, 
applicants for Class A precursor import permits must also provide the proposed date of entry.  
 
11. Canadian import permits.  
 
12. No.  
 
13. No.  
 
Conditions of licensing  
14. Import permits for controlled substances are valid for maximum four months from the date of 
issuance with none extending beyond December 31st of any given year, or until the expiry date of 
the licence whichever is earlier. For precursor chemicals, import permits are valid fo r six months, or 
until the expiry date of the licence if the period is less than the six -month period and may also cross 
two calendar years.  
 
15. No. 
 
16. No. 
 
17.(a) Special conditions may be added on a case by case basis . 
 
(b)  Special conditions may be added on a case by case basis . 
 
Other Procedural Requirements  
18. No. 
 
19. No. 
 
2  FOOD AND DRUGS ACT  
Note:  The following relates to import licensing and administrative procedures for health products 
under the Food and Drugs Act  and its associated regulations.  Different health products, covered 
under the Act, are subject to different regulations as listed below:  
 G/LIC/N/3/CAN/17  
 
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  -  Food and Drug Regulations;  
-  Blood Regulations;  
-  Medical Devices Regulations;  
-  Natural Health Products Regulations;  
-  Processing and Distribution of Semen for Assisted Conception Regulations;  
-  Safety of Cells, Tissues and Organs for Transplantation Regulations.  
. 
Outline of system  
1. The importation into Canada of drugs, blood, natural health products an d medical devices is 
subject to establishment or site licensing to ensure that imported substances meet Canadian 
standards of safety, efficacy and quality.  The import of these products is covered by the Food and 
Drug Regulations , the Blood Regulations , the Natural Health Products Regulations , and Medical 
Devices Regulations , respectively.  In addition to establishment or site licences permitting persons 
to, among other things, import a health product, product licences or authorizations are required for 
the sale of each specific health product in Canada.  
 
The importation of semen for assisted conception and cells, tissues and organs (CTO) for 
transplantation are not subject to licensing, but imported products are expected to meet Canadian 
standards for safet y and quality as expressed in the respective regulations.  Canadian CTO 
establishments are required to be registered with Health Canada.  
 
Purpose and coverage of licensing  
2. Establishment licences are required for "import for sale " of drugs (including pha rmaceuticals, 
active pharmaceutical ingredients,  biologics, vaccines, blood products,  and radiopharmeuticals) , 
blood,  and medical devices.  
 
Site licences are required for "import for sale " of natural health products (including vitamins and 
minerals; herbal  remedies; homeopathic medicines; traditional medicines; probiotics; and other 
products like amino acids and essential fatty acids).  
 
Registration is required for all CTO (organs and minimally manipulated cells and tissues) 
establishments , except for retrieval and transplant establishments that are not considered source 
establishments.  
 
3. The above systems apply to the specified health products from all countries.  
 
4. The licensing is not intended to restrict the quantity or value of imports; it is intended to ensure 
that imported health products meet Canadian standards of safety, quality, and efficacy.  Licensing 
is the most cost effective way to monitor imports.  
 
5. Licensing is a regulatory requirement under the Food and Drugs Act and its Regulati ons as listed 
above.  
 
Product designation is not subject to administrative discretion.   
 
Legislative approval would be required to abolish the licensing/registration systems described above.  
 
Procedures  
6. Import of health products by licence holders is not restricted as to the quantity or value of the 
imports.  
 
7.(a) A licence or registration for the importer must have been obtained prior to importation.  No, 
licences cannot be obtained in a shorter time frame for products arriving at the port where 
the importe r has not already obtained one  
 
 Time to obtain a licence depends on a variety of factors and will depend on the individual case.  
 
(b) No, a licence cannot be granted immediately on request.  Establishment licences, site licences, 
and product licences are issued if a review of the application indicates that all requirements G/LIC/N/3/CAN/17  
 
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  of the applicable regulations have been met.  CTO registration is issued if a review of the 
application indicates that all the requirements of registration are met, including a statement 
that they are in compliance with the regulations.  
 
(c) No, licence applications and importation are not limited according to time of year.  
 
(d)  Health Canada is the only authority with respec t to the above licences or registration.  
 
8. Failure to meet the criteria specified in the regulations will result in an application being refused.  
Reasons for refusal are given to the applicant.  There are regulatory requirements for Health Canada 
to pro vide the applicant with an opportunity to be heard.  Review of the decision is internal to Health 
Canada.  Applicants have a final right of appeal through the federal court system . 
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence  
9. Any person, firm or institution is eligible to apply for a licence or registration.   
 
Applicants that do not have a Canadian address must provide the address of a representative in 
Canada with the exception of medical devices where the applicant is not required to have a Cana dian 
representative.  There are fees associated with drugs and medical devices for both product and 
establishment licences. There is a published list of drug  and medical devices . For CTO 
establishments , this information is made available upon request.  
 
Documentational and other requirements for application for a permit to import  
10. Applications for product licences vary according to product but all the requirements are detailed 
in the applicable regulations.  Applications for establishment and site lice nces and CTO registration 
must contain information on the applicant 's name and address and contact information; the activities 
proposed; the product type; the address of each building where an activity will take place; and 
evidence that they meet the appli cable requirements of  the regulations.  
 
11. No specific documents are required upon importation, just evidence that the applicable licences 
are in place. The Health Products and Food Branch of Health Canada can confirm that these have 
been issued.  
 
12. There are no fees for semen, blood, CTO, or NHP, as these are not cost recovered. There are 
fees for drugs and medical devices.  These are published in the Fees in Respect of Drugs and Medical 
Devices Regulations and depend on the type of licence involved.  
 
13. Where fees apply a deposit or advance payment is required for the issuance of a licence.  Again 
this amount varies as per the licence and is published in the regulations . 
 
Conditions of permit  
14. Establishment licences are subject to annual renewal prior to 1st April each year; CTO registration 
is subject to renewal in the year following the year in which the registration is issued;  and drug and 
medical device product licences require annual notification.  NHP site licences must be renewed 
annually for  the first 3 years, every other year for the next 6 years, and every third year after th at; 
product licences are for an indefinite period.  
 
The validity period cannot be extended.  
 
15.  No penalty is imposed for non -utilization of a licence or registration . 
 
16. Licences are issued to a specific person. To change the name of the licence holder a notification 
or amendment to the licence is required.  
 
17.  An establishment licence may be subject to terms and conditions as specified by the Minister 
on the licence when the licence is issued.  These condition s vary according to the licence . 
 G/LIC/N/3/CAN/17  
 
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  Other procedural requirements  
18. No. 
 
19. Not applicable.  
 
3  GROWER REQUE STED OWN USE (GROU) PROGRAM  
Outline of System  
1. The Grower Requested Own Use (GROU) program allows growers to import the foreign version of 
a Canadian registered agricultural pesticide product, once approved for the Program by Health 
Canada.  
 
The Grower Requested Own Use (GROU) program is administered by Health Canada's Pest 
Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) and allows Canadian growers to import and use (by way of 
an import certificate) foreign versions of Canadian registered products (pesticides). Befo re products 
are accepted in the GROU program (by way of an equivalency certificate), they are evaluated by 
scientists to identify if any chemical differences may lead to increased health or environmental risks.  
 
Purpose and Coverage of Licensing:  
2. The GR OU program is the only system in place and is related only to pest control products 
(pesticides).  
 
3. Generally, pesticides which are registered in Organisation for Economic Co -operation and 
Development (OECD) countries.  
 
4. Yes, the import certificate (li censing) is intended to restrict the quantity of pesticides imported.  
 
5. Pest Control Products Regulations (PCPR), SOR/2 006-124, PEST CONTROL PRODUCTS ACT 
(http://la ws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR -2006-124/FullText.html ). 
 
(a) Yes the import certificate is statutorily required.  
(b) All requests to the program must be considered and there is no administrative discretion.  
(c) Legislative approval is required to abolish the program.  
 
Procedures:  
6. I.  There are no specific quotas, as individual import certificates are based on the size of the area 
where the pesticide will be used and the particular crop.  Each import certificate is individually 
approved. The r equirements embedded with the regulations and user friendly in struction are 
posted on the web : https://www.canada.ca/en/health -canada/services/consumer -product -
safety/pesticides -pest-management/growers -commercial -users/importing -pest-control -
products/grower -requested -own-use-program/importin g.html . 
   
The list of eligible products is also on the website.  There are no exceptions allowed within the 
program.  
 
II. Import certificates and the corresponding quantity of the foreign product approved for an 
intended use is valid for not more than one  year (one growing season) and one importation. 
Growers (importers) are required to apply for a new import certificate for additional 
importations within the same or subsequent years.  
 
III. The approval process has two steps :  A) Equivalency certificates are issued for a foreign 
product which is deemed to be equivalent to a Canadian registered product.  B) Individual 
import certificates are submitted by Canadian growers for approval to import and use an 
approved product on the ir land, for a specific crop, according to label directions.  The amount 
of product approved for importation is for use within one year or the growing season.  The 
process is transparent as per the section 43 of the PCPR . 
 
IV. There are no quotas.  Not app licable to the GROU Program.   G/LIC/N/3/CAN/17  
 
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V. There are no published service standards for the length of time required to process an 
application.  An application to import a product is entertained as long as the specific product 
is considered equivalent.  
 
VI. There are no published service standards as to the length of time between the granting of 
licenses and the date of opening of the period of importation. The approval to import is granted 
for one year or the growing season.  Growing seasons can vary depending on t he crop, where 
it is grown in Canada and how it is grown.  For example, tomatoes grown in a greenhouse 
have a longer season than tomatoes grown in a field.    
 
VII. Health Canada administers the entire GROU program.  Additional importation requirements 
and documentation may be required by the CBSA (consistent with any importation).  
 
VIII. Health Canada only provides the authority to import and use an unregistered product.  There 
is no allocation process .  The grower seeking the authorization is responsible t o find, purchase 
and import the product.  Applications are examined on receipt on a first come, first served 
basis. 
 
IX. Not applicable.  
 
X.  Not applicable.  
 
XI. Yes, there are conditions stated on the import certificate and through the PCPR.  The use of 
the product is only for the specified use, crop and location and cannot be transferred nor sold.  
 
7. No quantitative limit applies since there are limits placed on importations.  
 
8. If an applicant does not meet the requirements as set out in the PCPR, an application is refused.  
There is no appeal process.   
 
Eligibility of Importers to Apply for License:  
9. A person as defined in section 2 of the Criminal Code may apply for an import certificate.  
 
Documentational and Other Requirements for Application for  License:  
10. The web page to obtain the application form for a certificate is attached: https://sec2.hc -
sc.gc.ca/pmra6200 -eng.php . 
 
The application must include all of the following information:  
 
(a) the person’s name, address and signature;  
(b) the name of the foreign product;  
(c) the number of the applicable certificate of equivalency;  
(d) a description of the intended use of the foreign product and the location where it will be use d; 
and 
(e) quantity of the foreign product required for that intended use for one growing season.  
 
11. At a Canadian Point of Entry, all containers must have both the GROU approved container label 
and, if available, the Directions for Use Booklet attached.  Permanently affix the GROU approved 
container label to each container in such a way that the United States (U.S.) use directions are 
covered but the product name, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) registration number, 
establishment number and n et contents are not covered. This will avoid confusion between the 
Canadian and U.S. use directions. The importer's name, address and telephone number, GROU 
Import Certificate number, metric net contents, signature and date of signature must also be 
includ ed. 
 
The properly labelled containers of foreign product must be brought to the queue for commercial 
traffic and presented to the Customs Border Services Officer with the original approved GROU Import 
Certificate. Photocopies will not be accepted.  Customs  authorities may also ask for the original bill 
of sale corresponding to the GROU Import Certificate . G/LIC/N/3/CAN/17  
 
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  Slightly different information is required if a small group of growers are working together with a 
designated agent or are hiring a customs broker or carr ier. 
 
12. There is no charge to the applicant by Health Canada to process an application.  
 
13. Not applicable.  
 
Conditions of Licensing:  
14. An import certificate (foreign product use certificate) is valid for only one importation and for 
the period specified in the certificate, which must not exceed one calendar year. It ceases to be valid 
if the applicable certificate of equivalency ceases to be valid. See section 41 (4) of the PCPR.  
 
15. There is no penalty for non -utilization of a license or porti on of a license.  The authorization 
expires.  
 
16. Certificates are not transferable.  
 
17.  
(a) There are no conditions for products subject to a quantitative restriction in the issuance of a 
certificate.  
(b) The restrictions in place  are outlined in Sectio n 42 of the Pest Control Product Regulations:  
Importation of foreign product  
• 42 (1) A person may import a foreign product whose use is authorized if all of the following 
conditions are met:  
o (a) the person holds a foreign product use certificate in respect of that product;  
o (b) that certificate holder purchases the product directly from the foreign source 
without the intervention of an agent or mandatary;  
o (c) before the importation, the certificate holder provides the Minister with all of the 
following inform ation:  
▪ (i)  the proposed date of the importation,  
▪ (ii)  the name of the person who will transport the foreign product into 
Canada, and  
▪ (iii)  the name of the entry point;  
o (d) the certificate holder  
▪ (i)  affixes to each container of the foreign product, as soon as 
practicable after the importation of the product but in any case 
before its use, a copy of the approved foreign product use label in a 
way that the product identifier that relates to its registration outside 
Canada remains visible at all times, and  
▪ (ii)  ensures that a copy of any brochure or leaflet that sets out the 
directions for use accompanies the product; and  
o (e) The quantity of the product imported does not exceed the amount set out in the 
foreign product use certificate.  
• Marginal  notes: 
 
Pooled purchases  
(2) Two or more persons may together import in one shipment their authorized quantities 
of foreign products set out in their respective foreign product use certificates if the 
importation meets the conditions of subsection (1).  G/LIC/N/3/CAN/17  
 
- 12 - 
 
  Transport  
(3) The person who transports the foreign product into Canada must carry it to the location 
of use specified in the foreign product use certificate and have the following documents in 
their possession:  
o (a) proof of purchase in respect of each quantity of f oreign product in the shipment, 
including the name of the foreign source from whom it was purchased; and  
o (b) copies of  relevant foreign product use certificates.  
 
Other Procedural Requirements  
18. No other administrative procedures are in place.  
 
19. Not applicable since Health Canada has sole authority to grant import ation and use.  
 
4  EXPLOSIVES ACT  
Outline of system  
1.  The importation of explosives is governed by the Explosives Act and Regulations , which is 
administered by the Department of Natural R esources.  The legal definition of explosives includes 
blasting explosives, detonators, propellants, sporting and industrial cartridges, and all types of 
fireworks and pyro technic devices.  Before an explosive may be imported into Canada or 
manufactured i n Canada it must be declared an authorized explosive by the Chief Inspector of 
Explosives appointed under the Explosives Act .  The process of authorizing an explosive consists of 
the manufacturer submitting data on the nature and composition of the explosi ve and on its 
packaging and markings. Such an application is subject to a minimum user fee of CAN$125. Samples 
are usually required for laboratory examination. Testing fees depend on the type of tests to be 
carried out and the number of samples to be exami ned. This can vary, for example, from CAN$2108 
for one fireworks sample and up to CAN$16881 for ten fireworks samples.  The criteria for 
authorization are based on the safety characteristics of the explosive substances or articles during 
handling, storage,  transport and use. The objective of the authorization process is to confirm that 
characteristics meet declared values and relevant standards. Authorization also confirms that the 
product classification is in conformity with the recom mendations of the Com mittee of Experts on the 
Transport of Dangerous Goods as adopted by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the 
United Nations.  
 
Purpose and coverage of licensing  
2.  Once an explosive is authorized, any person may import it into Canada provided he has  the 
proper storage facilities for the type and quantity of explosives in question. Two kinds of importation 
permits are issued; a single use permit issued for a specific quantity in one shipment, and an annual 
permit issued for unlimited shipments of auth orized explosives during a twelve -month period.    
 
3.  The system applies to explosives from all countries.  
 
4. The  system is intended only to ensure that the same degree of safety exists with imported 
explosives as with those of domestic manufacture.  There is no intent whatsoever to restrict the 
quantity or value of the explosives imported.  
 
5. The Explosives Act , R.S., c.E -17 as amended, and the Explosives Regulations , 2013 
(SOR/2013 -211). The system is a statutory requirement which does not convey an y administrative 
discretion and would require legislative approval to be abolished.  
 
Procedures  
6.  Not applicable.  
 
7. (a)  The import permit is issued within thirty days after receipt of the application if the explosive 
has been previously authorized and facilities exist in Canada for the safe and secure storage G/LIC/N/3/CAN/17  
 
- 13 - 
 
  of the quantity being imported.  Permits may be obtained in a shorter time but nevertheless 
should be on hand when a shipment arrives at Customs to prevent dangerous accumulations.  
Naturally, dela ys will occur if the explosive has not been authorized previously.  
 
(b)  Permits may be granted immediately on request provided all is in order.  
 
(c)  There are no limitations as to the period of the year during which an application for an 
importation perm it may be made.  
 
(d)  The importer need only approach the Explosives Regulatory Division of the Department of 
Natural Resources.  No other administrative bodies are involved.  
 
8. An application for an explosives importation permit may only be refused for f ailure to meet safety 
or security criteria.  Reasons for such refusal would be given to the applicant who would have the 
right of appeal to the Minister of Natural Resources under Section  17 of the Explosives Act.  
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for lic ence  
9. Any importer who has satisfied the requirements of the Explosives Regulations  relative to the 
storage, sale, purchase and possession, and of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations  
relative to transport, of the explosive to be imported may apply for an importation permit.  
 
Documentational and other requirements for application for licence  
10. The latest application form and guidelines are located on Natural Resources Canada’s webpag e: 
http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/explosives/importation/9913 .    
 
11. The latest import process is described in Canada Border Services Agency’s D19 -6-1 
memorandum that can be found at: http://www.cbsa -asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm -md/d19/d19 -6-1-
eng.html .  
 
12. The present fee is CAN$160.00 for a single use Importation Permit and a minimum of 
CAN$160.00 for an Annual Importation Permit with a maximum fee of CAN$1 300.  
 
13.  Other than the fee, there is no deposit or advance payment associated with the issuance of an 
importation per mit. 
 
Conditions of licensing  
14. Explosives Importation Permits can be issued for a period of 12 months.  Single use importation 
Permits are valid for one shipment while Annual Importation Permits are valid for any number of 
shipments.  
 
15.  There is no p enalty for the non -utilization of an explosives importation permit.  
 
16. Permits are not transferable between importers and only the products made by the 
manufacturer(s) specified in the permit may be imported.  
 
17.  There are no conditions attached to the  issuance of an explosives importation permit relative to 
quantitative restrictions other than safe and secure storage location in Canada.  Depending on the 
quantity to be stored, a magazine (i.e. storage) licence issued by the Explosives Regulations  Division 
may be required.  Importation permit applicants will be advised if this is the case.  
 
Other procedural requirements  
18-19. Persons not resident in Canada or not having a chief place of business in Canada are required 
to post a bond before being permitt ed to import explosives ( Explosives Act  Section  9(3)).  
 G/LIC/N/3/CAN/17  
 
- 14 - 
 
  5  NUCLEAR SAFETY AND C ONTROL ACT  
Outline of system  
1. The  Nuclear Safety and Control Act  (S.C., 1997, c.9) came into force 31 May 2000. The legislation 
established a national nuclear regulatory authority, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission 
(CNSC), for the purpose of administering the Act. The CNSC has established a comprehensive 
regulatory control system for the import, export, transfer, possession and use of nuclear substances, 
prescribed eq uipment and prescribed information (technology). Under this system, any person 
proposing to conduct these activities in Canada must do so only in accordance with a licence, subject 
to the regulations under the Act. Licence application requirements are spec ified in regulations, in 
general in the  General Nuclear Safety and Control Regulations  (SOR/2000 -202). The Commission 
may not issue a licence unless it is satisfied that the applicant is qualified to conduct the activity to 
be authorized, and that the appl icant will make adequate provision for the protection of the 
environment, the health and safety of persons, and the maintenance of national security and 
measures required to implement international obligations to which Canada has agreed.  
 
Any person wishin g to import a nuclear substance, prescribed equipment or prescribed information 
must obtain an import licence from the CNSC. Authority to import certain nuclear substances may 
be included in a licence to possess and use that nuclear substance, under genera l licensing 
provisions. However , import of controlled nuclear substances as defined in the  Nuclear 
Non-proliferation Import and Export Control Regulations  (NNIECR) (SOR/2000 -210) requires an 
import license issued pursuant to those regulations. All controll ed nuclear substances are prescribed 
as nuclear substances with respec t to the import and export of those substances. Similarly, licensing 
authorization is required to import controlled nuclear equipment and information under the NNIECR. 
The Nuclear Safety  and Control Act  (NSCA) and its regulations are available through the CNSC 
website ( http://www.nuclearsafety.gc.ca ). 
 
Purpose and coverage of licensing  
2. The purpose of the NSCA is two -fold: (i) to provide for the limitation of risks to national security, 
the health and safety of persons and the environment that are associated with the development, 
production and use of  nuclear energy and the production, possession and use of nuclear su bstances, 
prescribed equipment and prescribed information; and (ii) to provide for the implementation in 
Canada of measures to which Canada has agreed regarding international control of th e development, 
production and use of nuclear energy, including the n on-proliferation of nuclear weapons and nuclear 
explosive devices. Nuclear substances are defined in the NSCA (section 2), and include uranium, 
thorium, plutonium, deuterium and their respective derivatives and compounds, radioactive 
nuclides, and substances that are prescribed by regulation as being capable of releasing nuclear 
energy or as being required for the production or use of nuclear energy. Additionally, the NNIECR 
define cont rolled nuclear substances, controlled nuclear equipment and controlled nuclear 
information that are subject to specific import and export licensing controls, and list these in the 
Schedule to the regulations. These items are controlled for the purpose of a ssuring that the 
Government of Canada meets international obligations to which it has agreed regarding the non -
proliferation of nuclear weapons; they are based primarily on international guidelines and control 
lists. There are some exemptions from licensin g requirement and these are identified in the NNIECR 
(section 4).  
 
3. This licensing system applies to nuclear substances, prescribed equipment and prescribed 
information imported from any country.  
 
4. The licensing of imports is intended to ensure that the nuclear substances, prescribed equipment 
and prescribed informat ion are transferred only to persons authorized to use them safely and 
securely, pursuant to the provisions of the NSCA and its regulations. Licensing also enables the 
CNSC to take actions to assure that any applicable international, bilateral or multilater al obligations 
that Canada has entered into are met, including those related to nuclear non -proliferation  
 
Import licences may specify the maximum allowable quantity of nuclear substances,  prescribed 
equipment and prescribed information authorized for impo rt. The purpose of the regulatory controls 
on imports is to assure that the imported items are possessed only by qualified and authorized 
persons pursuant to the NSCA, and to assure compli ance with international obligations; licensing is 
not intended to ot herwise restrict the quantity or value of imports.  G/LIC/N/3/CAN/17  
 
- 15 - 
 
  5. The licensing of imports is a requirement of section 26 of the NSCA. Licensing procedures and 
licensing application requirements are p rescribed by regulation. The Commission has established 
classes of licences authorizing the licensee to carry out any a ctivity described in section 26 of the 
NSCA; this includes Import Licences. CNSC staff conducts risk -informed assessments of licence 
applications and supporting information, and makes recommendations to the Commission for 
decision on issuance of licences. A licence may contain any term or condition that the Commission 
considers necessary for the purposes of the NSCA. The Commission has the power to delegate 
responsibilities to Designated Officers for issuance of licences in certain circumstances, pursuant t o 
section 37 of the NSCA, and has done this for import and export licensing decisions.  
 
6. Not applicable. Quantity and value restriction s, beyond the terms and conditions contained in the 
individual import licence, do not apply to imports of nuclear subs tances, prescribed equipment and 
prescribed information, except as may from time to time be determined by Government policy.  
 
7. (a) -(b) An import licence is normally issued within 3 weeks of receipt of the application but can 
be issued in a shorter time if warranted. A license cannot be granted immediately upon 
request; a risk -informed assessment of an application submitted in compliance wi th the 
regulations is required prior to a licensing decision.  
 
(c)  No; there are no limitations as to the period of year in which applications may be made.  
 
(d)  The CNSC is the only body authorized to issue an import licence pursuant to the NSCA. 
Applica tions are made directly to the Commission. The Commission has delegated the 
authority for making the licensing deci sion on imports to a Designated Officer, pursuant to 
section 37 of the NSCA.  
 
8. The  Designated Officer, acting on behalf of the Commission, may refuse to issue a licence, or may 
revoke, suspend, or amend the terms and conditions of a licence, for reasons  of: protection of the 
environment and of the health and safety of persons; maintenance of national security; and 
requirements related to inte rnational obligations to which Canada has agreed (section 24, NSCA). 
In such cases, the NSCA provides the applica nt or, as appropriate the licensee, the right to be heard 
by the Commission, which can decide to uphold the decision of the Designated Officer or modify it.  
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence  
9. All persons, firms and institutions are eligible to apply for an import license. There are no 
application fees for requests to import, nor is there a system of registration of entities that engage 
in import activities. However, nuclear substances may not be imported unless the applicant also 
holds a val id license issued by the CNSC for the possession and use of the nuclear substance being 
imported. The CNSC do es not publish a list of authoriz ed importers.  
 
Documentational and other requirements for application for licence  
10. Information required on applications to import a controlled nuclear substance, controlled nuclear 
equipment or controlled nuclear information is specified in the  Nuclear Non-proliferation Import and 
Export Control Regulations  (NNIECR), and includes: name and contact information of th e applicant 
and of each consignee; description of the substance, equipment or information; name and address 
of the supplier; country of origin  of the imported item; intended end -use of the item by the final 
consignee and the intended end -use location; the number of any license to possess the substance, 
equipment or information; and, as applicable, the measures that will be taken to facilitate Ca nada’s 
compliance with certain international obligations. An application form, with instructions for 
completion, is provided on the CNSC website ( http://www.nuclearsafety.gc.ca ). 
 
11. Importers must present the import licence to a customs officer upon importing the authorized 
nuclear substance, prescribed equipment or prescribed information (section 18,  General Nuclear 
Safety and Control Regulations ). 
 
12. No; there are no licensing fees or administrative charges associated with the issuance of an 
import licence.  
 
13. No; there is no requirement for any deposit or advance payment associated with the issuance 
of an import licence.  G/LIC/N/3/CAN/17  
 
- 16 - 
 
  Conditions of licensing  
14. The period of validity depends on the nature of the import, with a default term of 1 year. The 
validity of a licence may be extended through amendment upon written application.  
 
15. No; there is no penalty for non-utilization of a licence.  
 
16. Yes. The NSCA was amended in 2012 to allow for transfer of licences. Those amendments allow 
the CNSC to authorize the transfer of an import licence from the existing licence holder to another 
importer, upon receipt of an application and subject to applicable re gulations. The CNSC must satisfy 
itself that the recipient of the licence proposed for transfer is qualified to conduct the activity to be 
authorized, and that the recipient will make adequate provision for the prote ction of the 
environment, the health and  safety of persons, and the maintenance of national security and 
measures required to implement international obligations to which Canada has agreed.  
 
17.(a) Not applicable.  
 
(b)  The CNSC may include in an import li cence any condition it considers necessary for the 
purposes of the NSCA, including compliance reporting conditions.  
 
Other procedural requirements  
18. Applications to import items that are subject to the provisions of bilateral non -proliferation 
agreements  that Canada has entered into with nuclear trading partners, for the purpose of assuring 
that Canada’s nuclear non -proliferation policy requirement s are met, may require the CNSC to 
implement administrative procedures with regulatory counterparts in the ex porting country. There 
are no additional requirements placed on importers as a result of this, but implementing these 
bilateral procedures can requ ire additional time to complete the processing and assessment of import 
applications.  
 
19. Not applicable.  
  
6  NATIONAL ENERGY BOAR D ACT  
Note:  The Jobs, Growth and Long -term Prosperity Act  received Royal Assent on 29 June 2012. It 
contains amendments to the  National Energy Board Act  (the NEB Act) which affect the National 
Energy Board's (the Board) review of oil and gas export and gas import applications. A major 
consequence of the amendments is that public hearings are no longer mandatory for gas import or 
export license applications.  
 
As a result of the amendments to the NEB Act, the NEB issued on 11 July 2012 a n Interim 
Memorandum of Guidance Concerning Oil and Gas Export Applications and Gas Import Applications 
under Part VI of the National Energy Board Act  (Interim Oil and Gas MOG). The Interim Oil and Gas 
MOG provided guidance to applicants until such time as  the Board had completed a review and 
update of the National Energy Board Act  Part VI (Oil and Gas) Regulations , SOR/96 -244 (Part VI Oil 
and Gas Regulations).  Additional details are available here:  http://www.neb -one.gc.ca/clf -
nsi/rpblctn/ctsndrgltn/rrggnmgpnb/xprtsndmprt/nb2012_09_ 20-eng.html . 
 
Outline of system  (reflecting  NEB Act  amendments, but not the regulations being 
updated)  
 
1. The National Energy Board Act  and the Part VI Regulations made thereunder control imports of 
natural gas, whether in gaseous or liquid state, by pipeline, railway tank cars and tank trucks or 
tankers. Imports are authorized by both licences and orders. Licences are issued for long -term 
imports while orders are used in the case of long -term small volume imports, emergency imports or 
and short -term large volume imports. An application is made to the Board for import authorization. 
In the case of a licence, the application may, at the NEB 's discretion, be set down for a public 
hearing. No licence is effective until approved by the Governor -in-Council. The issuance of an import 
order requires the approval of the Board and does not require a public hearing or Governor in Council 
approval.  
 
  G/LIC/N/3/CAN/17  
 
- 17 - 
 
  Purposes and coverage of licensing  
 
2. Import authorization, in the form of licence or order, is required for all imports of natural gas in 
either gaseous or liquid state (see the definition of "gas" in the National Energy Board Act ). 
Authorization from t he National Energy Board is not required for imports of propane, butanes, 
ethane, ethylene and propylene, which are each exempted from the requirement for import 
authorization by the Part VI Regulations. The term of any import licence cannot exceed 25 year s. 
Imports of natural gas by orders are restricted to 24 months for volumes over 30 thousand cubic 
metres per day and to 20 years for less than 30 thousand cubic  metres per day. Imports for re -export 
for up to 25 years can be done by order.  
 
3. The system described applies to gas originating in and coming from any country. In practice, 
however, all imports of natural gas prior to 2009 originated from the United States. LNG shipments 
commenced in 2009.  
 
4. The purpose of licensing is to ensure that long -term imports of gas are in the public interest.  
 
5. The authorization of imports is maintained under the National Energy Board Act , a statute of the 
Parliament of Canada, and the National Energy Board Part VI Regulations. The term "gas" is defined 
in the Act a nd is not subjected to administrative discretion. Legislative action would be required to 
abolish the system . 
 
Procedures  
 
6. I-IV.  There is no quota system. Determinations are made on a case -by-case basis.  
 
V.   For processing license applications a public hearing may be required and is at the discretion 
of the NEB. The length of time to process a licence application is approximately four months 
or longer depending on whether a public hearing is deemed necessary. Applications for orders 
can be approve d very quickly. Typical processing time for emergency and short -term imports 
is 48 hours, while processing time for long -term import orders is two to six weeks or more . 
 
VI.  In some cases, imports commence immediately upon issuance of the authorization, o r, 
depending on the requirements of the import arrangement, there may be some interval 
between the authorization and the commencement of the import.  
 
VII.  The prospective importer has to approach one administrative organ only, the National Energy 
Board. H owever, licences for imports require the approval of the Governor -in-Council to take 
effect.  
 
VIII.  Applications are examined on receipt. There is no allocation of import authorizations to 
applicants.  
 
IX.  There are no applicable bilateral or multilateral arrangements besides the Canada -U.S. Free 
Trade Agreement and the North American Free Trade Agreement.  
 
X.  The granting of import authorization would generally be conditional on an export authorization 
being granted by the appropriate foreign  government agency.  
 
7.(a)  Application for a licence should be made in advance of importation by a reasonable length of 
time, depending on the size and complexity of the importation arrangement.  
 
(b)  An order can be granted very quickly by the Board. A l icence may, at the discretion of the NEB 
require that a public hearing be held.  
 
(c)  There are no limitations as to the period of the year during which application for import 
authorization may be made.  
 
(d)  See response to VII above.  
 
8. An application f or a licence may be refused for failure to meet criteria set out in the Part VI 
Regulations or where the import is not in the public interest. An applicant, in the event of refusal to G/LIC/N/3/CAN/17  
 
- 18 - 
 
  issue a licence, may resubmit his application to the National Energy Boa rd with appropriate 
amendments or may request a review. Appeal can be made to the Federal Court of Appeal on a 
question of law or jurisdiction, on leave being obtained from the Court.  
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence  
 
9.  Any person is eligib le to apply for an import license.  
 
Documentational and other requirements for application for licence  
 
10. The Governor -in-Council may make regulations respecting the information to be furnished by 
applicants and the procedures to be followed in applying for import authorization. Section 5 of the 
Part VI Regulations entitled "Information to be Furnished by Applicant for Licence to Import Gas" 
sets out the information required to be filed by an applicant for a licence to import gas. In addition, 
the Nationa l Energy Board may require further information. With respect to import orders, applicants 
must file such information as the National Energy Board may require. However, no specific 
information requirements for order applications are set out in the Act or in  the Part VI Regulations.  
 
11. No documents are required upon actual importation. However, the holder of an import 
authorization is required to provide the National Energy Board with information as required, including 
the actual volumes imported during the  term of the authorization, and their value in Canadian 
currency.  
 
12.  There is no fee or administrative charge in respect of an application at present.  
 
13.  There is no deposit or advance payment requirement associated with the issue of the import 
authorization.  
 
Conditions of licensing  
 
14.  No import licence may be issued for a term in excess of 25 years. The validity of a licence cannot 
be extended beyond this period without an amendment to the Act by Parliament.  
 
15.  There is no penalty for the  non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence. Licences are 
permissive only.  
 
16.  Yes. They are transferable subject to National Energy Board and Governor -in-Council approval.  
 
17.  Conditions attached to the issue of licences and orders may inc lude those matters prescribed 
by the Part VI Regulations, including: duration of the licence, the period within which the import 
must commence, the quantities of import, points of importation into Canada, environmental 
requirements and the granting of expo rt authorization by the appropriate foreign government 
agency.  
 
Other procedural requirements  
 
18. Apart from procedures defined in the Regulations made pursuant to the Act, including 
requirements associated with inspection, metering and reporting, no addi tional administrative 
procedures are required.  
 
19.  Not applicable.  
 
7  EXPORT AND IMPORT PE RMITS ACT  
For this Export and Import Permits Act  section,  general responses in respect of dairy products; 
chicken, turkey and eggs; broiler hatching eggs and chicks; beef and veal; margarine; wheat, barley 
and their products have been provided for questions 5, 8 -10, 12 -19 of the Questionnaire.  The replies 
to the remaining questions have bee n organized by separate product groups owing to difference in 
the procedures involved.  
 G/LIC/N/3/CAN/17  
 
- 19 - 
 
  7.1  A. General Responses Applicable to Dairy Products ; Chicken , Turkey and Eggs ; Broiler  
Hatching Eggs and Chicks; Beef and Veal ; Margarine ; Wheat, Barley  and their products  
Note:  Effective 1 January 1995 (or 1 August 1995, for wheat, barley and their products, butter, dry 
whey and cream), in compliance with its World Trade Organization (WTO) commitments, Canada 
converted its agricultural impor t controls to a syst em of tariff rate quotas (TRQs) . Under these TRQs, 
imports within the TRQ level, i.e. within the access commitment, require a permit issued through 
the Trade Controls Policy Division of the Global Affairs Canada  in order to benefit from  the lower rate 
of duty. Imports over the quota level, subject to higher rates of duty, may enter under a General 
Import Permit. For wheat, barley and their products, the TRQ is admi nistered on a first -come, 
first-served basis.  
 
Effective 8 September 2008,  Canada implemented import controls for milk protein substances with 
a milk protein content of 85 per cent or more by weight, calculated on the dry matter, that do not 
originate in a NAFTA country, Chile, Costa Rica, or Israel. Import controls were establi shed to 
implement a change in Canada's WTO obligations subsequent to a re -negotiation of a tariff 
concession, outlined in Joint Letters, as concluded with New Zealand, Switzerland and the EC under 
GATT Article XXVIII. A TRQ for milk protein substances with  a milk protein content of 85 per cent or 
more by weight, calculated on the dry matter, that do not originate in a NAFTA country, Chile, Costa 
Rica, or Israel, was established effective 1st April 2009. Certification of these changes to Canada's 
Schedule V became effective 6 July 2011.  Effective 21 September 2017, the date of the entry into 
force of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between Canada and the 
European Union, import controls for milk protein substances were amended to remove c ontrols for 
such products originating from an EU country or other CETA beneficiaries.2  
 
Outline of system  
1.  See section 6 (B). 
 
Purpose and coverage of licensing  
2.-4.  See Product Outline in section 6 (B). 
 
5. Licensing is maintained through regulations under the Export and Import Permits Act . Individual 
products are not designated in the Act.  
 
An Import Control List  has been established by regulation by the Governor -in-Council. The list 
includes goods, the impo rt of which it is deemed necessary to control for any of the following 
purposes, namely:  
 
- to ensure, in accordance with the needs of Canada, the best possible supply and distribution 
of an article that is scarce in world markets or in Canada or is subjec t to government controls 
in the countries of origin or to allocation by inter -governmental arrangement;  
-  to restrict, for the purpose of supporting any action taken under the Farm Products Marketing 
Agencies Act , the importation in any form of a like art icle to one produced or marketed in 
Canada the quantities of which are fixed or determined under that Act;  
-  to implement any action taken under the Farm Income Protection Act , the Fisheries Prices 
Support Act , the Agricultural Products Co -operative Marke ting Act , the Agricultural Products 
Board Act  or the Canadian Dairy Commission Act , with the object or the effect of supporting 
the price of the article;  
-  to implement an intergovernmental arrangement or commitment; and  
-  where at any time it appears to the satisfaction of the Governor -in-Council on a report of the 
Minister made pursuant to an inquiry made under section 20 or 26 of the Canadian 
International Trade Tribunal Act  by the Canadian International Trade Tribunal in  respect of 
any goods, that goods of any kind are being imported or are likely to be imported into Canada 
at such prices, in such quantities and under such conditions as to cause or threaten serious 
injury to the production in Canada of like or directly co mpetitive goods, any goods of the same 
kind may, by order of the Governor -in-Council, be included on the Import Control List  in order 
                                                
2 Regulations Defining “EU country or other CETA beneficiary”, SOR/2017 -178, 
  http/laws -lois.justice.gc.ca.  G/LIC/N/3/CAN/17  
 
- 20 - 
 
  to limit the importation of such goods to the extent and for the period that, in the opinion of 
the Governor -in-Council, i s necessary to prevent or remedy the injury.  
 
Once an item has been placed on the Import Control List , an import permit, either specific or general, 
is required by the Act to import such goods into Canada.  
 
Specific products can be made subject to either i ndividual licensing or open general licensing by the 
Minister.  
 
Licensing requirements may be abolished by the Governor -in-Council by removing an item from the 
Import Control List . Only Parliament can alter or amend the Export and Import Permits Act . 
 
The Minister may also decide to allocate shares of the within -TRQ access for any product in advance. 
Where this system is used, import permits (licences) are normally issued automatically up to the 
level of an importer's share.  
 
Procedures  
6.-7.  See Product O utline in section 6 (B). 
 
8.  Permit applications that are complete and meet the general requirements are not normally 
refused. If eligibility criteria have not been met (e.g., no quota entitlement) or the application 
contains errors, the applicant will be informed; in such event the applicant may correct the 
application or request reconsideration, or the applicant may choose to pay the over -access tariff and 
import the goods under a General Import Permit, which is automatically applicable.  
 
Eligibility of i mporters to apply for licence  
9.  Any resident of Canada may apply for a permit. Citizenship is not a criterion.  
 
Documentational and other requirements for application for licence  
10. The applicant is required to provide the information requested on the a pplication for an import 
permit. For certain products, additional information and/or documentation may be required, as 
indicated in the specific product group responses.  
 
11.  See Product Outline in section 6 (B). 
 
12.  Any applicant may apply directly to t he Global Affairs Canada  in Ottawa for a permit, for which 
the associated fee ranges from CAN$15.00 to CAN$31.00, according to the value of the goods.  
 
For permits issued at other authorized (non -Government) computer terminals, permit fees range 
from CAN$1 0.00 to CAN$26.00 (according to the value of the goods). This fee does not cover the 
cost of any additional services provided by such issuers.  
 
13.  No. 
 
Conditions of licensing  
14. Import permits normally have a validity of 30 days. Requests for extension  of the validity period 
submitted prior to the original expiry date are considered on their merits, e.g., supporting 
documentation outlining extraordinary circumstances that prevented the importation of goods within 
the time frame of the permit. If a permi t has not been used, the importer may apply for its 
cancellation.  
 
15.  There is no penalty for non -utilization of import permits that are returned for cancellation.  
 
16.  Permits are not transferable between importers.  
 
17.  Under very particular circumstances, special conditions may be attached from time to time.  
 G/LIC/N/3/CAN/17  
 
- 21 - 
 
  Other procedural requirements  
18.  No. 
 
19.  Not applicable.  
 
7.2  Other Responses – by Product Groups  
7.2.1   Dairy Products  
Outline of system  
1. Dairy products remain on the Import Control List , established under the Export and Import Permits 
Act; effective 1 January 1995, existing import controls on these products were replaced with tariff 
rate quotas (1 August 1995 for butter, cream and dry whey).  
 
Purposes and coverage of licensing  
2. Dairy produ cts on the Import Control List  and subject to individual import permit licensing are: 
cheese of all types, butter, ice cream, yoghurt, cream, condensed milk, powdered buttermilk, dry 
whey, natural milk constituents, and dairy -based products fa lling within tariff item 
number  1901.90.33. This action was taken under the authority of Paragraph 5(1) (a) and (d) and 
Section 5.3 of the Export and Import Permits Act . Individual import permits are required for each 
shipment.  
 
3.  The system applies to goods originat ing in and imported from all countries.  
 
4.  This licensing system is used to implement TRQs for dairy products in accordance with Canada's 
commitments under the WTO.  
 
5.  See General Responses.  
 
Procedures  
6.  The following is a list of TRQ levels for the  dairy products which are subject to import control:  
 
-  The TRQ level for  the WTO cheese  TRQ is 20,411.866 tonnes. As a result of an agreement 
between Canada and the European Union (EU), not less than 6 9.9 per cent of the cheese TRQ 
is allocated to member states of the EU and the remaining 3 0.1 per cent is allocated to any 
other (non -EU) WTO member . Current cheese TRQ allocation holders who are active in the 
cheese trade have retained a quota, which is allo cated on a yearly basis.  
-  The TRQ level for  the CETA cheese  TRQ, established on 2nd October 2017 is 745.299 tonnes 
The TRQ is allocated annually (calendar year) on a market share basis to eligible cheese 
manufacturers, distributors and retailers.  The TRQ applies to EU originating cheese only.  This 
TRQ is being phased in over five years and will reach 16,000 tonnes on 1st January 2022.  
-  The TRQ level for  the CETA Industrial cheese, established on 2nd October 2017  TRQ is 78.085 
tonnes. The TRQ is allocated annually (calendar year) on a market share basis to eligible 
further processors. The TRQ applies to EU originating cheese only.  This TRQ is being phased 
in over five years and will reach 16,000 tonnes on 1st January 2022.  
-  The TRQ for  butter  is 3,274 tonnes. As a result of an agreement between Canada and New 
Zealand, there is a coun try reserve of 2,000 tonnes of butter for New Zealand, with the balance 
open to all supplying countries; imports from New Zealand are counted against the balance 
only once the reserve is exhausted. The TRQ that applies to butter has been allocated to the 
Canadian Dairy Commission for the benefit of processors and further processors.  
-  The TRQ for  ice cream  is 484 tonnes. Traditional ice cream importers continue to receive an 
initial allocation, as adjusted, e.g., for under -utilization; the remainder is all ocated to ice 
cream distributors.  
-  The TRQ level for  yoghurt  is 332 tonnes. Traditional yoghurt importers continue to receive an 
initial allocation, as adjusted, e.g., for under -utilization; the remainder is allocated to yoghurt 
distributors.  G/LIC/N/3/CAN/17  
 
- 22 - 
 
  -  The TRQ level for  speciality  creams  is 394 tonnes; allocations are made in priority to importers 
with established distribution lines, and once the requirements of these importing companies 
have been met, the balance (if any) is allocated to other applicants.  
-  The TRQ level for  condensed milk  is 11.7 tonnes, allocated on a yearly basis to a traditional 
allocation holder. The TRQ for condensed milk is allocated entirely to Australia.  
-  The TRQ level for  powdered buttermilk  is 908 tonnes, allocated on a yearly basi s to a 
traditional allocation holder. The TRQ for powdered buttermi lk is allocated entirely to 
New Zealand.  
-  The TRQ level for  dry whey  is 3,198 tonnes. Allocations are made in priority to users of 
specialty -type whey not available from domestic sources that can demonstrate a requirement 
for this product in their manufacturing / production formulations. The balance, if any, is 
allocated to processors and further processors that can demonstrate a requirement for whey 
in their manufacturing / production for mulations.  
-  The TRQ level for  other products of natural milk constituents  is 4,345 tonnes. Allocations are 
made in priority to users of milk protein concentrate that can demonstrate a requirement for 
this product in their manufacturing / product formulations. The balance, if any, is allocated to 
processors and further processors that can demonstrate a requirement for other products of 
natural milk constituents in their manufacturing / product formulations.  
-  The TRQ level for  milk protein substan ces with a milk protein content of 85 per cent or more 
by weight, calculated on the dry matter, that do not originate in a NAFTA country,  an EU 
country or other CETA beneficiary,  Chile, Costa Rica, or Israel,  is 10,000 tonnes. 9,500 tonnes 
are allocated to  residents of Canada that can demonstrate a requirement for these products 
in their manufacturing operations and product formulations. 500 tonnes are made available 
to residents of Canada that purchase (i.e., take ownership of) and re -sell these products.  
-  The TRQ level for  food preparations falling within tariff item number 1901.90.33  is 70 tonnes. 
Allocations are made to food processors that can demonstrate a requirement for food 
preparations in their manufacturing/product formulation containing product s classified under 
tariff headings 04.01 to 04.04 . 
 
I.   Information on TRQs and related formalities is published in the Canada Gazette and in Notices 
to Importers, which are distributed to customs brokers, associations and traders and are 
available upon r equest from Global Affairs Canada . 
  
Notices to Importers and additional information are also available on the Global Affairs Canada  
website at:  http://www.international.gc.ca/controls -controles/prod/agri/index.aspx . 
 
II.  See the introduction to Section 6 . 
 
III.  If an allocation holder uses less than 90 per cent of its allocation (95 per cent for cheese, 
products of natural milk constituents, dry whey, milk protein substances with a milk protein 
content of 85 per cent or more by weight, calculated on the dry matter, that do not originate 
in a NAFTA country,  an EU country or other CETA beneficiary,  Chile, Costa Rica, or Israel, and 
cream), the allocation in the next year will normally reflect the actual level of use. Allocations 
not used in a quota year are  not available for carry -over to the next quota year.  
 
IV.  Individual import permits are required for each shipment at the within -TRQ rates of duty.  
 
V-VII. Import permits are issued through an on -line automated system either (a) in the offices of 
customs  brokers in major cities across Canada, or (b) at the Trade Controls  Policy Division  of  
Global Affairs Canada  in Ottawa. Requests for permits are accepted 30 days prior to the 
expected date of arrival of the shipment to Canada. Import permits are normally  issued with 
a validity period of 30 days around the date of arrival specified by importers (five days prior 
to and 24 days after). Utilization of permits for one quota year may not be utilized in the next 
quota year.  
 
VIII.  See the introduction to Section 6.  
 
IX-X.  Not applicable.  
 
XI.  Supplementary imports may also be authorized for re -export or to meet domestic market 
shortages.  
 G/LIC/N/3/CAN/17  
 
- 23 - 
 
  7.  See Section 6.  
 
8.  See General Responses.  
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence  
9.  See General Responses.  
 
Documentational and other requirements for application for licence  
10.  See General Responses.  
 
11. Documents required upon actual importation: import permit, customs entry documents and food 
certificates as required under the Canadian Dairy Pr oducts Act and Regulations . 
 
12.  Any applicant may directly apply for a permit via customs brokers equipped with authorized 
computer terminals. Permit fees range from CAN$10.00 to CAN$26.00 (according to the value of 
the goods). This fee does not cover th e cost of any additional services provided by such issuers.  
Permits may also be requested, by fax, from Global Affairs Canada  in Ottawa for which the associated 
fees range from CAN$15.00 to CAN$31.00 (according to the value of the goods).  
 
13.  No. 
 
Condit ions of licensing  
14-17. See General Responses.  
 
Other procedural requirements  
18-19. See General Responses.  
 
7.2.2   Chicken, Turkey and Eggs  
Outline of system  
1. Chicken, turkey, shell eggs and egg products remain on the Import Control List , established under 
the Export and Import Permits Act . Effective 1 January 1995, existing import controls on these 
products were replaced with TRQs.  
 
Purposes and coverage of licensing  
2. Imports of chicken and chicken products, turkey and turkey products,  and eggs and egg products 
are subject to global TRQs.  For all these products, individual import permits are required for each 
shipment imported into Canada. These products were placed on the Import Control List  under the 
authority of Paragraph 5(1)(a) an d (b) and Sections 5.3 and 6 of the Export and Import Permits Act.  
 
3. The system applies to goods originating in and imported from all countries.  
 
4. The licensing system is used to implement TRQs on chicken and chicken products, turkey and 
turkey product s, and eggs and egg products in accordance with Canada's WTO commitments.  
 
5. See General Responses.  
 
Procedures  
6. The TRQ level established for chicken and chicken products under the WTO is 39,843.7 tonnes 
(bone -in eviscerated equivalent basis). Under the provisions of the North American Free Trade 
Agreement (NAFTA), Canada provides a global TRQ for chicken and chicke n products equivalent to 
7.5 per cent of the previous year's domestic production.  Depending on the chicken product, different 
conversion factors are used to convert the weights in eviscerated equivalence.  
 G/LIC/N/3/CAN/17  
 
- 24 - 
 
  The TRQ level for turkey and turkey products esta blished under the WTO is 5,588 tonnes (bone -in 
eviscerated equivalent basis). Under the provisions of the NAFTA, Canada provides a global TRQ for 
turkey and turkey products equivalent to 3.5 per cent of the current year's estimated production 
(bone -in evis cerated equivalent basis). Depending on the turkey product, different conversion 
factors are used to convert the weights in eviscerated equivalence.  
 
The TRQ level for eggs and egg products established under the WTO is 21,370,000 dozen.  Under 
the provisio ns of the NAFTA, Canada provides a global TRQ for shell eggs and egg products of 2.988 
per cent of the previous year's domestic production. It is split among shell eggs (1.647  per cent), 
frozen, liquid and further processed eggs (0.714 per cent), and powde red eggs (0.627  per cent).     
 
For chicken, turkey, shell eggs and egg products, the access provided by Canada is the greater of 
its NAFTA or WTO commitment.  
 
The basic procedure that applies to imports of chicken and chicken products, turkey and turkey 
products, and eggs and egg products, is that a quantitative limit for imports from all sources is 
established yearly. Individual allocation holders are informed of their allocations, which are based 
on criteria published annually in Notices to Importers.   
 
In the case of turkeys, individual allocations may be utilized at any time during the quota year.  For 
chicken and chicken products, utilization of individual allocations by larger TRQ holders is limited to 
30% per calendar year quarter, while shell egg a llocations to larger TRQ holders are accompanied 
by an import schedule to help ensure that imports coincide with periods of peak demand in Canada.  
Applications for single -shipment permits are made against these allocations at any time during the 
30 days p receding the expected date of arrival of the shipment .  Under established policies detailed 
in Notice to Importers – Supplemental Imports, the Minister can issue supplemental import permits 
for these products.  
 
I.  Information on TRQs and related formaliti es is published in the Canada Gazette and in Notices 
to Importers. The latter are distributed to customs brokers, associations and traders, and are 
available upon request from Global Affairs Canada . 
 
Notices to Importers and additional information are also available on the DFAIT website at: 
http://www.international.gc.ca/controls -
controles/prod/agri/ index.aspx?menu_id=3&menu=R . 
 
II.  See the introduction to Section 6.  
 
III.  If an allocation holder for these products uses less than 90 per cent of its allocation (95 per 
cent in the case of egg products), the allocation in the next year will  be reduced by the 
percentage of the allocation not utilized in the previous quota year.   Allocation not used in one 
quota year is not available for carry -over to the next quota year.  
 
IV.  Individual import permits are required for each shipment at the wi thin-TRQ rates of duty.  
 
V-VII. Import permits are issued through an on -line automated system either (a) in the offices of 
customs brokers in major cities across Canada, or (b) at the Trade Controls Policy Division  of 
Global Affairs Canada  in Ottawa. Reque sts for permits are accepted 30 days prior to the 
expected date of arrival of the shipment to Canada.  Import permits are normally issued with 
a validity period of 30 days around the date of arrival specified by importers (five days prior 
to and 24 days af ter). Utilization of permits for one quota year is not allowed in the next quota 
year. 
 
VIII.  See the introduction to Section 6.  
 
IX-X.  Not applicable.  
 
XI.  A supplementary import policy is in place to accommodate market shortages. Supplementary 
imports  may also be authorized for re -export.  
 
7. See Section 6.  
 G/LIC/N/3/CAN/17  
 
- 25 - 
 
  8. See General Responses.  
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence  
9. See General Responses.  
 
Documentational and other requirements for applications for licence  
10. See General Responses.  
 
11. Import permits and normal customs entry forms are required in addition to health certificates 
as required under the Canada Agriculture Products Act.  
 
12. Any applicant may directly apply for a permit via customs brokers equipped with authorized 
compute r terminals.  Permit fees range from CAN$10.00 to CAN$26.00 (according to the value of 
the goods). This fee does not cover the cost of any additional services provided by such issuers.  
 
Permits may also be requested, by fax, from Global Affairs Canada  in Ottawa for which the associated 
fees range from CAN$15.00 to CAN$31.00 (according to the value of the goods).  
 
13. No.  
 
Conditions of licensing  
14-17. See General Responses.  
 
Other procedural requirements  
18-19. See General Responses.  
 
7.2.3   Broiler Hatching Eggs and Chicks  
Outline of system  
1. Broiler hatching eggs and chicks remain on the Import Control List , established under the Export 
and Import Permits Act .  Effective 1 January 1995, existing import controls on these products were 
replaced with tariff ra te quotas.  
 
Purposes and coverage of licensing  
2. In order to support action taken under the Farm Products Agencies Act , Broiler Hatching Eggs and 
Chicks were placed on the Import Control List .  "Chick" means a chick for chicken meat production 
hatched fro m a broiler hatching egg.  This action was taken under the authority of Paragraph  5(1) 
(b) and Section 5.3 of the Export and Import Permits Ac t.  Individual import permits are required 
for each shipment of these products.  
 
3. The system applies to goods or iginating in and imported from all countries.  
 
4. This licensing system is used to implement TRQs for broiler hatching eggs and chicks in accordance 
with Canada's WTO commitments.  
 
5. See General Responses.  
 
Procedures  
6. The annual TRQ level established u nder the WTO for broiler hatching eggs and chicks is 
7,949,000  dozen (egg equivalent).   
 
Under the provisions of a bilateral agreement with the United States, Canada provides a TRQ level 
for broiler hatching eggs and chicks of 21.1 per cent of the current  year's estimated domestic 
production, split into separate access commitments for eggs (17.4 per cent) and chicks G/LIC/N/3/CAN/17  
 
- 26 - 
 
  (3.7 per cent).  Each chick is counted as 1.27 hatching eggs.  Holders of TRQ for hatching eggs may 
convert their allocation into TRQ for chic ks, but TRQ for chicks is not convertible into TRQ for hatching 
eggs.  
 
TRQ access provided by Canada is the greater of its NAFTA and WTO commitments.  This access 
level is determined annually and is allocated to federally registered hatcheries on the basis  of market 
share minus adjustments for under -utilization.  Allocation holders are permitted to import up to their 
allocated annual level at any time during the calendar year.  
 
I.  Information on TRQs and related formalities is published in the Canada Gazette and in Notices 
to Importers. The latter are distributed to customs brokers, associations and traders, and are 
available upon request from Global Affairs Canada . 
 
Notices to Importers and additional information are also available on the Global Affairs Canada  
website at:  
http://www.international.gc.ca/controls -
controles/prod/agri/index.aspx?menu_id=3&menu=R  . 
 
II.  See introduction to Section 6.  
 
III.  If an allocation holder uses less than 90  per cent of its allocation, the allocation  will be reduced 
by the percentage  of the allocation not utilized (in egg equival ents) in the previous quota year .  
An allocation not used in one quota year will not be available for carryover to the next quota 
year. 
 
IV.  Individual  import permits are required for each shipment at the within -TRQ rates of duty.  
 
V-VII. I mport permits a re issued through an on -line automated system either (a) in the offices of 
customs  brokers in major cities across Canada, or (b) at the Trade Controls Policy Division of 
Global Affairs Canada  in Ottawa. Requests for permits are accepted 30 days prior to th e 
expected date of arrival of the shipment to Canada.  Import permits are normally issued with 
a validity period of 30 days around the date of arrival specified by importers (five days prior 
to and 24 days after). Utilization of permits for one quota year is not allowed in the next quota 
year. 
 
VIII.  See the introduction to Section 6.  
 
IX-X.  Not applicable.  
 
XI.  A supplementary import policy is in place to accommodate market shortages.  Supplementary 
imports may also be authorized for re -export.  
 
7. See Section 6.  
 
8. See General Responses.  
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence  
9. See General Responses.  
 
Documentational and other requirements for application for licence  
10. See General Responses.  
 
11. Documents required upon actual importation:  import permit, customs entry documents and 
health certificates as required under the Canada Agriculture Products Act . 
 
12. Any applicant may directly apply for a permit via customs brokers equipped with authoriz ed 
computer terminals.  Permit fees range from CAN$10.00 to CAN$26.00 (according to the value of 
the goods). This fee does not cover the cost of any additional services provided by such issuers.  
 G/LIC/N/3/CAN/17  
 
- 27 - 
 
  Permits may also be requested, by fax, from Global Affairs Canada  in Ottawa for which the associated 
fees range from CAN$15.00 to CAN$31.00 (according to the value of the goods).  
 
13. No . 
 
Conditions of licensing  
14-17. See General Responses.  
 
Other procedural requirements  
18-19. See General Responses.  
 
7.2.4   Beef and Veal 
Outline of system  
1. Effective 1 January 1995, beef and veal were placed on the Import Control List  established under 
the Export and Import Permits Act ; and the existing import control measures for these products 
provided for under the Meat Import Act  were replaced with a tariff rate quota.  
 
Purposes and coverage of licensing  
2-3. In order to implement Canada's WTO commitments, beef and veal were placed on the Import 
Control List .  This action was taken under the authority of Paragraph 5(1)(a) and Sect ion 5.3 of the 
Export and Import Permits Act .  An import permit is required for each shipment of these products 
originating in and imported from all countries except the United States, Mexico , Chile,  and an EU 
country or other CETA beneficiary.  
 
4. This li censing system is used to implement TRQs for beef and veal in accordance with Canada's 
WTO commitments.  
 
5. See General Responses.  
 
Procedures  
6. In keeping with its WTO commitments, Canada has established an annual TRQ level for imports 
of fresh, chilled and frozen beef and veal from non -FTA countries of 76,409 tonnes.  Of this quantity, 
29,600  tonnes are reserved for imports from New Zealand and 35,000 tonnes are reserved for 
imports from Australia. The balance of the TRQ, 11,809 tonnes (known as the MFN reserve) is 
reserved for imports from all other eligible suppliers, including those from New Zealand and Australia 
once their country -specific allocations are filled.    
 
I.  Information  on TRQs and related formalities is published in the Canada Gazette and in Notices 
to Importers. The latter are distributed to customs brokers, associations and traders and are 
available upon request from Global Affairs Canada . 
 
Notices to Importers and ad ditional information are also ava ilable on Global Affairs Canada  website 
at: http://www.international.gc.ca/controls -controles/prod/agri/index.aspx?menu_id=3&menu=R . 
 
II.  See the  introduction to Section 6.  
 
III. If an allocation holder uses less than 90  per cent of its allocation, the allocation in the next 
year will normally reflect the actual level of use.  An allocation not used in one quota year will 
not be available for carryover to the next quota year . 
 
IV.  Individual import permits are required for  each shipment at the within -TRQ rates of duty.  
 
V-VII. Import permits are issued through an on -line automated system either (a) in the offices of 
customs brokers in major cities across Canada, or (b) at the Trade Controls Policy Division of 
Global Affairs  Canada  in Ottawa.  Requests for permits are accepted 30 days prior to the 
expected date of arrival of the shipment to Canada.  Import permits are normally issued with G/LIC/N/3/CAN/17  
 
- 28 - 
 
  a validity period of 30 days around the date of arrival specified by importers (five day s prior 
to and 24 days after).  Utilization of permits for one quota year is not allowed in the next 
quota year.  
 
VIII.  See the introduction to Section 6.  
 
IX-X.  Not applicable.  
 
XI.  The Minister may authorize the importation of beef and veal supplement ary to the TRQ if he 
judges that the importation serves the overall needs of the Canadian market.  
 
7. See Section 6.  
 
8. See General Responses.  
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for permit  
9. See General Responses.  
 
Documentational and other requirements for application for licence  
10. See General Responses.  
 
11. Import permits and normal customs entry forms are required in addition to health certificates 
as required under the Canada Agriculture Products Act.  
 
12. Any applicant may directly apply for a per mit via customs brokers equipped with authorized 
computer terminals.  Permit fees range from CAN$10.00 to CAN$26.00 (according to the value of 
the goods). This fee does not cover the cost of any additional services provided by such issuers.  
 
Permits may a lso be requested, by fax, from Global Affairs Canada  in Ottawa for which the associated 
fees range from CAN$15.00 to CAN$31.00 (according to the value of the goods).  
 
13. No.  
 
Conditions of licensing  
14-17. See General Responses.  
 
Other procedural requirements  
18-19. See General Responses.  
 
7.2.5   Margarine  
1. Effective 1 January 1995, margarine and butter substitutes, excluding liquid margarines, were 
placed on the Import Control List  established under the Export and Import Permits Act ; and the 
existing i mport prohibitions for these products were replaced with a tariff rate quota.  
 
Purposes and coverage of licensing  
2. In order to fulfil Canada's WTO commitments for margarine, margarine was placed on the Import 
Control List .  This action was taken under th e authority of Paragraph  5(1)(b) and Section 5.3 of the 
Export and Import Permits Act .  An import permit is required for each shipment of margarine 
imported under the applicable within access tariff items.  
 
3. The system applies to goods originating in and  imported from all countries.  Once the TRQ level 
is reached, products originating from Mexico (by virtue of NAFTA), from Chile (by virtue of the 
Canada -Chile FTA), and from Costa Rica (by virtue of the Canada -Costa -Rica FTA) will continue to 
be assessed t he “within access” rate of duty.   
 G/LIC/N/3/CAN/17  
 
- 29 - 
 
  4. This licensing system is used to implement a TRQ for margarine in accordance with Canada's WTO 
commitments.  
 
5. See General Responses.  
 
Procedures  
6. The TRQ level is 7,558 tonnes.  Import permits are allocated on a first-come, first -served basis, 
without restriction on the applicants (except that no applicant may import more than 500 tonnes in 
a calendar year).  Permits are normally valid for 30 days, but only within the TRQ year.  
 
I.  Information on TRQs and related  formalities is published in the Canada Gazette and in Notices 
to Importers. The latter are distributed to customs brokers, associations and traders and are 
available upon request from Global Affairs Canada . 
 
Notices to Importers and additional information are also available on the DFAIT website at:  
http://www.international.gc.ca/controls -
controles/prod/agri/index.aspx ?menu_id=3&menu=R  . 
 
II.  See the introduction to Section 6.  
 
III.  Not applicable.  
 
IV.  Individual import permits are required for each shipment at the within -TRQ rates of duty.  
 
V-VII. Import permits are issued through an on -line automated system either (a) in the offices of 
customs brokers in major cities across Canada, or (b) at the Trade Controls Policy Division of 
the Global Affairs Canada .  Requests for permits are accepted 30 days prior to the expected 
date of arrival of the shipment to Canada.  Import permits are normally issued with a validity 
period of 30 days around the date of arrival specified by impor ters (five days prior to and 
24 days after).  Utilization of permits for one  quota year is not allowed in the next quota year.  
 
VIII.  See the introduction to Section 6.  
 
IX-X.  Not applicable.  
 
XI.  The Minister may authorize the importation of margarine supplementary to the TRQ if he 
judges that the importation serves the overal l needs of the Canadian market.  
 
7. See Section 6.  
 
8. See General Responses.  
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence  
9. See General Responses.  
 
Documentational and other requirements for application for licence  
10. See General Responses.  
 
11. Documents required upon actual importation are: import permit and customs entry documents.  
 
12. Any applicant may directly apply for a permit via customs brokers equipped with authorized 
computer terminals.  Permit fees range from CAN$10.00 to CAN$26.00 (a ccording to the value of 
the goods). This fee does not cover the cost of any additional services provided by such issuers.  
 
Permits may also be requested, by fax, from the Global Affairs Canada  for which the associated fees 
range from CAN$15.00 to CAN$31. 00 (according to the value of the goods).  
 
13. No.  G/LIC/N/3/CAN/17  
 
- 30 - 
 
  Conditions of licensing  
14-17. See General Responses.  
Other procedural requirements  
18-19. See General Responses.  
 
7.2.6   Wheat, Barley and their Products  
Outline of system  
1. Effective 1 August 1995, wheat, barley, wheat products, and barley products were placed on the 
Import Control List , established under the Export and Import Permits Act ; and existing import 
controls on these products were replaced with tariff rate quotas.  
 
Purposes and coverage of licensing  
2. In order to fulfil its WTO commitments for wheat, barley and their products, Canada removed the 
requirement under the Canadian Wheat Board Act and related regulations for import licences for 
wheat, barley and their pro ducts and replaced them with a system of TRQs.  This required p lacing 
them on the Import Control List  under the authority of Paragraph 5(1) (a ), 5(1)(b)  and Section  5.3 
of the Export and Import Permits Act . 
 
3. The system applies to goods originating in an d imported from all countries.  Once the TRQ levels 
are reached, the following products continue to be assessed the "within access" lower rate of duty:  
 
(a) Mexican, U.S., Chilean, Costa Rican , Peruvian  wheat, barley, wheat products and barley 
products and certain wheat, barley, wheat products and barley products originating in an EU 
country or other CETA beneficiary (pursuant to NAFTA, C CFTA, CCRFTA, CETA and CPFTA);  
 
(b)  Wheat and barley products from  any country, classified under the following specific tariff 
items:  
 
(i)  mixes and doughs, falling under tariff item No. 1901.20.14;  
(ii) pasta products, falling under tariff items Nos.1902.11.21, 1902.19.12, 1902.19.22, 
1902.19.92, 1902.30.12 and 1902. 30.31;  
(iii) cereals, falling under tariff items No. 1904.10.21, 1904.10.41, 1904.20.21, 1904.20.41, 
1904.30.21 and 1904.90.21;  
(iv)  bread products, falling under tariff item No. 1905.10.21, 1905.10.51, 1905.40.31, 
1905.40.61 and 1905.90.32;  
(v)  biscuits, waffles and wafers falling under tariff item No. 1905.31.22, 1905.31.92, 
1905.32.92 and 1905.90.43; and  
(vi)  pretzels of tariff no. 1905.90.62 in packages of a weight not exceeding 1.36 kg . 
 
4. This licensing system is used to implement TRQs for  wheat, barley and their products in 
accordance with Canada's WTO commitments.  
 
5. See General Responses.  
 
Procedures  
6. The TRQ levels are: wheat - 226,883 tonnes, barley - 399,000 tonnes, wheat products  B 123,557 
tonnes (grain equivalent) and barley prod ucts - 19,131 tonnes (grain equivalent).  There are no 
allocations to importers.  The TRQ is administered on a first -come, first -served basis from 1 August 
to 31 July each year.  
 
I.  Information on TRQs and related formalities is published in the Canada Ga zette and in Notices 
to Importers. The latter are distributed to customs brokers, associations and traders and are 
available upon request from Global Affairs Canada . 
 G/LIC/N/3/CAN/17  
 
- 31 - 
 
  Notices to Importers and additional information are also available on the DFAIT website at: 
http://www.international.gc.ca/controls -
controles/prod/agri/ index.aspx?menu_id=3&menu=R  . 
 
II.  See the introduction to Section 6.  
 
III.  TRQ not used in any quota year will not be available for carry -over to the quota year.  
 
IV.  The General Import Permit number must be stated on the customs entry document.  When 
the TRQ level for any product is reached, a different General Import Permit allows importation 
at the applicable over -access rate of duty.  
 
V-VII. Not applicable.  
 
VIII.  See the introduction to Section 6.  
 
IX-X.  Not applicable.  
 
XI.  The Minister may aut horize the importation of wheat, wheat products, barley and barley 
products supplementary to the respective TRQ if he judges that the importation serves the 
overall needs of the Canadian  market.  
 
7. See Section 6.  
 
8. See General Responses.  
 
Eligibility of  importers to apply for licence  
9. See General Responses.  
 
Documentational and other requirements for application for licence  
10. See General Responses.  
 
11. Normal customs entry forms indicating the appropriate General Import Permit are required.  
 
12. Any  applicant may directly apply for a permit via customs brokers equipped with authorized 
computer terminals.  Permit fees range from CAN$10.00 to CAN$26.00 (according to the value of 
the goods). This fee does not cover the cost of any additional services pr ovided by such issuers.  
Permits may also be requested, by fax, from Global Affairs Canada  in Ottawa for which the associated 
fees range from CAN$15.00 to CAN$31.00 (according to the value of the goods).  
 
13. No.  
 
Conditions of licensing  
14-17. See General  Responses.  
 
Other procedural requirements  
18-19. See General Responses.  
7.2.7   Textiles  
Outline of system  
1.  Textiles are on the Import Control List , established pursuant to the  Export and Import Permits 
Act (EIPA). Quantitative restraints (i.e., quotas) on imports of textiles were eliminated for goods 
shipped after 31 December 2004 in accordance with the WTO Agreement on Textiles and Clothing 
(ATC). Individual import licensing or open general licensing requi rements for such goods were G/LIC/N/3/CAN/17  
 
- 32 - 
 
  eliminated on 1 April 2005. An import licensing system remains in place for textiles shipped in 
connection with Tariff Preference Level (TPL) provisions established pursuant to the North American, 
Canada -Chile, Canada -Costa Rica , and Canada -Honduras Free Trade Agreements and for origin 
quotas established pursuant to the Canada -European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade 
Agreement . 
 
Purposes and coverage of licensing  
2. Textile products on the Import Control List  subject to in dividual import permits for TPL are as 
follows: cotton or man -made fibre fabrics and made -up goods  (NAFTA, Chile, Costa Rica) ; wool 
fabrics and made -up goods (Chile and Costa Rica); cotton or man -made fibre spun yarns  (NAFTA, 
Chile, Costa Rica), and fabric s and made -up goods (Honduras) . Origin quotas established under the 
Canada -European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement  (CETA) include certain 
woven fabrics, sewing thread, twine, carpets, plastic -coated/covered/laminated fabrics, linoleum, 
transmission or conveyor belts or belting, technical textile products, bed linens, toilet and kitchen 
linens, floor -cloths, polishing -cloths, dish -cloths and dusters.  
 
3.  The system applies to imports from the United States, Mexico, Chile , Costa Rica , Honduras and 
the European Union . 
 
4.  Tariff Preference Levels (TPL) are special FTA provisions that provide tariff preferences for imports 
of non -originating textile and apparel goods up to a specified quantity. Above these specified 
quantities, non -originating textile and apparel goods are subject to the Most -Favoured -Nation rate 
of duty. The import licensing system is in place in order to implement quantitative import limits on 
goods shipped in connection with TPL provisions established pursuant to the F ree Trade Agreements.  
 
Origin quotas are alternative rules of origin that enable preferential tariff access for imports of eligible 
textile goods up to a specified quantity. Above these specified quantities, textile goods that do not 
meet the main rules of  origin are subject to the Most -Favoured -Nation rate of duty. The import 
licensing system is in place in order to implement quantitative import limits on goods shipped in 
connection with origin quota  provisions established pursuant to the CETA. 
 
5. The EIP A provides for the establishment of an Import Control List  to implement an 
intergovernmental arrangement or to prevent the frustration or the circumvention of such 
arrangements. Import permits are issued for goods, including textiles, on the Import Control  List. 
 
Procedures  
6.  The TPL levels primary units of measure (other than for yarns) are converted into Square Metre 
Equivalents (SME s) by means of conversion factors found in each FTA. The yearly TPL levels for each 
FTA are as follows:  
 
-   Canada -Hondur as Free Trade Agreement – Fabrics and made -up goods: 1,000,000.  
-   Canada -Costa Rica Free Trade Agreement - Cotton or man -made fabrics and made -up goods: 
1,000,000 SME; Wool fabrics and made -up goods: 250,000 SME; and Cotton or man -made 
fibre spun yarn: 1 50,000 kg.  
-   Canada -Chile Free Trade Agreement - Cotton or man -made fabrics and made -up goods 
(limited to goods of Chapter 60 of the HS): 1,000,000 SME; Wool fabrics and made -up goods: 
250,000 SME; and Cotton or man -made fibre spun yarn: 500,000 kg.  
-   North America Free Trade Agreement - United States: Cott on or man -made fabrics and 
made -up goods: 2,000,000 SME; and Cotton or man -made fibre spun yarn: 1,000,000 kg; 
Mexico: Cotton or man -made fabrics and made -up goods: 7,000,000 SME; and Cotton or 
man-made fibre spun yarn: 1,000,000 kg.  
-   There are no allocations to importers. The TPLs are administered on a first -come, first -served 
basis from 1 January to 31 December each year . 
 
I.   Information on TPLs and origin quotas and related formalities are published in the Canada 
Gazette, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) D -Memoranda and Customs Notice and in 
Notices to Importers. This information is available to customs brokers, associations and 
traders and upon request from G lobal Affairs Canada . Notices to Importers and additional 
inform ation are also available on Global Affairs Canada and CBSA websites at : 
 G/LIC/N/3/CAN/17  
 
- 33 - 
 
  TPL:  http://www.international.gc.ca/controls -controles/textiles/index.aspx?menu_id=21&view=d  
http://www.cbsa -asfc.gc.c a/publications/dm -md/d11/d11 -4-22-eng.html . 
 
Origin Quotas:  http://www.international.gc.ca/controls -controles/prod/ceta_origin _quotas -
contingents_origine_aecg.aspx?lang=eng  
   https://www.cbsa -asfc.gc.ca/publications/cn -ad/cn17 -30-eng.html   
 
II.  See the introduction to Section 6.  
 
III.  TPL or origin  quota not used in one year is not available for carry -over in the following year.  
 
IV.  Applications for TPL  and origin quota  permits are accepted until the TPL  or origin quota  level 
for a given TPL  or origin quota  is filled.  
 
V-VII. Import permits are is sued through an on -line automated system either (a) in the offices of 
customs brokers in major cities across Canada, or (b) at the Trade Controls Bureau of  Global 
Affairs Canada  in Ottawa. Requests for permits are accepted 30 days prior to the expected 
date of arrival of the shipment to Canada. Import permits are normally issued with a validity 
period of 30 days around the date of arrival specified by importers (five d ays prior to and 
24 days after) . Utilization of permits for one quota year is not allowed in the next quota year.  
 
VIII.  TPLs and origin quotas are  made available on a first -come, first -served basis, whereby import 
permits are issued to importers on demand until the TPL  or origin quota  has been filled in a 
given year.  
 
IX-X.  Not applicable.  
 
XI.  No. 
 
7. (a) An import permit is required for each shipment of textiles for which a TPL  or origin quota  
benefit is sought. An importer may apply for an import permit up to 30 days prior to the 
expected date of arrival of the associated goods . 
 
(b)   A permit is normally granted immediately upon request.  
 
(c)   See response to 7(a).  
 
(d)   Permit applications are considered by only one organization, the Trade Controls  Bureau , Global 
Affairs Canada . 
 
8.  Import permits are not normally refused if the crit eria relating to issuance are met. If a permit 
is refused, for example, because of incomplete information on the application, the applicant is 
advised and given the opportunity to correct the anomaly.  
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence  
9.  Any resident of Canada may apply for an import permit.  
 
Documentational and other requirements for application for licence  
10. Instructions and the information required to complete an import permit application and the form 
can be found on the web at:  
 
http://w ww.international.gc.ca/controls -controles/about -a_propos/impor/permits -licences.aspx . 
http://www.cbsa -asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm -md/d11/d11 -4-22-eng.html  and https://www.cbsa -
asfc.gc.ca/publications/cn -ad/cn17 -30-eng.html . 
 
11. Import permits and normal cu stoms entry forms are required.  
 
12.  Any applicant may directly apply for a permit via customs brokers equipped with authorized 
computer terminals. Permit fees range from CAN$10.00 to CAN$26.00 (according to the value of 
the goods). This fee does not cover the cost of any additional services provided by such issuers.  G/LIC/N/3/CAN/17  
 
- 34 - 
 
   
Permits may also be requested, by fax, from Global Affairs Canada  in Ottawa for which the associated 
fees range from CAN$15.00 to CAN$31.00 (according to the value of the goods).  
 
13.  No. 
 
Conditions of licensing  
14.  A permit is valid for 30 days, and may be extended for a further 30 days if the request for 
extension is submitted prior to expiry.  
 
15.  No. 
 
16.  Licences are not transferable.  
 
17. (a) No.  
 
(b)   No. 
 
Other procedural requirements  
18.  No. 
 
19.  Import permits issued pursuant to the Export and Import Permits Act  are not a condition of 
foreign exchange transactions.  
 
7.2.8   Clothing  
Outline of system  
1. Clothing is on the Import Control List , established pursuant to the Export and Import Permits Act  
(EIPA). Quantitative restraints (i.e., quotas) on imports of clothing and handbags were eliminated 
for goods shipped after 31 December 2004 in accordance with the WTO Agreement on Textiles and 
Clothing (ATC).  Individual import licen sing or open general licensing requirements for such goods 
were eliminated on 1 April 2005. An import licensing system remains in place for clothing shipped 
in connection with Tariff Preference Level (TPL) provisions established pursuant to the North 
Ameri can, Canada -Chile, Canada -Costa Rica, and Canada -Honduras Free Trade Agreements  and for 
origin quotas established pursuant to the Canada -European Union Comprehensive Economic and 
Trade Agreement.  
 
Purposes and coverage of licensing  
2. Clothing products on the Import Control List  subject to individual import permits for TPL are as 
follows: wool apparel (NAFTA, Chile); cotton or man -made fibre apparel (NAFTA, Chile); and apparel 
(Costa Rica, Honduras).  Origin quotas established under the Canada -European Union 
Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement  (CETA) include  certain knitted  or woven garments 
such as: m en's or boys' shirts,  ensembles, jackets, blazers, trousers, bib and brace overalls, 
breeches , shorts tracksuits, ski suits, and swimwear ; women's or girls' blouses , shirts , t-shirts, 
jerseys, pullovers, cardigans , pantyhose, tights, stockings, socks , overcoats, rai ncoats, carcoats, 
capes, cloaks,  anoraks, windcheaters, wind jackets , suits, ensembles , jackets, blazers, dresses, 
skirts, divided skirts, trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches , shorts , brassieres, girdles, corsets, 
braces, suspenders, and garters .  
 
3. The system applies to imports from United States, Mexico, Chile, Costa Rica, Hondur as and the 
European Union or other CETA beneficiaries.  
 
4. Tariff Preference Levels (TPL) are special FTA provisions that provide tariff preferences for imports 
of non -originating textile and apparel goods up to a specified quantity. Above these specified 
quantities, non -originating textile and apparel goods are subject to the Most -Favoured -Nation rate 
of duty. The import licensing system is in place in order to administer quantitative import limits on 
goods shipped in connection with TPL provisions establi shed pursuant to these Free Trade 
Agreements.  G/LIC/N/3/CAN/17  
 
- 35 - 
 
   
Origin quotas are alternative rules of origin that enable preferential tariff access for imports of eligible 
apparel goods up to a specified quantity. Above these specified quantities, apparel goods that do 
not meet the main rules of origin are subject to the Most -Favoured -Nation rate of duty. The import 
licensing system is in place in order to implement quantitative import limits on goods shipped in 
connection with origin quota  provisions established pursuant to the CETA. 
 
5. The EIPA provides for the establishment of an Import Control List  to implement an 
intergovernmental arrangement or to prevent the frustration or the circumvention of such 
arrangements.  Import permits are issued for goods, including clothi ng, on the Import Control List . 
 
Procedures  
6. The TPL levels primary units of measure are converted into Square Metre Equivalents (SME) by 
means of conversion factors found in each FTA.  The yearly TPL levels for each FTA are as follows:  
 
-  Canada -Honduras Free Trade Agreement – Apparel goods: 4,000,000 SME.  
-  Canada -Costa Rica Free Trade Agreement - Apparel goods: 1,379,570 SME.  
-  Canada -Chile Free Trade Agreement - Cotton or man -made f ibre apparel and made -up goods: 
2,252,324 SME; and Wool apparel and made -up goods: 112,616 SME.  
-  North America Free Trade Agreement - United States: Cotton or man -made fibre apparel and 
made -up goods: 9,000,000 SME; and Wool apparel and made -up goods: 919,740; Mexico: 
Cotton or man -made fibre apparel and  made -up goods: 6,000,000 SME; and Wool apparel 
and made -up goods: 250,000 SME.  
-  There are no allocations to importers. The TPL s are administered on a first -come, first -served 
basis from 1 January to 31 December each year.  
 
The origin quotas are measured  by units, kilograms, pairs or dozens. The yearly origin quota levels 
are found in Table C.4 of the Protocol on rules of origin and origin procedures  of the CETA: 
http://international.gc.ca/trade -commerce/trade -agreements -accords -commerciaux/agr -acc/ceta -
aecg/text -texte/P1.aspx?lang=eng#5_1  
-There are no allocations to importers  
-The origin quotas  are administ ered on a first -come, first -served basis from 1 January to 
31 December each year.  
 
I.  Information on TPLs and origin quotas and related formalities are published in the Canada 
Gazette, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) D -Memoranda and Customs Notice an d in 
Notices to Importers. This information is available to customs brokers, associations and 
traders and upon request from Global Affairs Canada. Notices to Importers and additional 
information are also available on the Global Affairs Canada and CBSA webs ites at :   
TPL: http://www.international.gc.ca/controls -controles/textiles/index.aspx?menu_id=21&view=d  
 http://www.cbsa -asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm -md/d11/d11 -4-22-eng.html  
 
Origin Quotas:  http://www.international.gc.ca/controls -controles/prod/ceta_origin_quotas -
contingents_origine_aecg.aspx?lang=eng  
  https://www.cbsa -asfc.gc.ca/publications/cn -ad/cn17 -30-eng.html  
 
II.  See the introduction to Section 6.  
 
III. TPL or origin quota not used in one year is not available for carry -over in the following year.  
 
IV.  Applications for TPL permits and origin quotas are accepted until the TPL or origin quota level 
for a given TPL  or origin quota is filled.  
 
V-VII. Import permits are issued through an on -line automated system either (a) in the  offices of 
customs brokers in major cities across Canada, or (b) at the Trade Controls Bureau of Global 
Affairs Canada in Ottawa.  Requests for permits are accepted 30 days prior to the expected 
date of arrival of the shipment to Canada.  Import permits a re normally issued with a validity 
period of 30 days around the date of arrival specified by impor ters (five days prior to and 
24 days after). Utilization of permits for one quota year is not allowed in the next quota year.  
 G/LIC/N/3/CAN/17  
 
- 36 - 
 
  VIII.  TPL and origin quotas ar e made available on a first -come, first -served basis, whereby import 
permits are issued to importers on demand until the TPL or origin quota  has been filled in a 
given year.  
 
IX-X. Not applicable.  
XI.  No. 
 
7.(a)  An import permit is required for each shipment of clothing for which a TPL or origin quota 
benefit is sought.  An importer may apply for an import permit up to 30 days prior to the 
expected date of arrival of the associated goods . 
 
(b)  A permit is normally granted immediately upon request.  
 
(c)  See response to 7(a).  
 
(d)  Permit applications are considered by only one organization, the Trade Controls Bureau, Global 
Affairs Canada.  
 
8. Import permits are not normally refused if the criteria relating to issuance are met.  If a permit 
is refused, for example, because of incomplete information on the application, the applicant is 
advised and given the opportunity to correct the application.  
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence  
9. Any resident of Canada may apply for an import perm it.   
 
Documentational and other requirements for application for licence  
10. Instructions and the information required to complete an import permit application and the form 
can be found on the web at:   
 
http://www.international.gc.ca/controls -controles/a bout-a_propos/impor/permits -licences.aspx ? 
menu_id=62&view=d  
http://www.cbsa -asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm -md/d11/d11 -4-22-eng.html  and https://www.cbsa -
asfc.gc.ca/publication s/cn-ad/cn17 -30-eng.html  
 
11. Import permits and normal customs entry forms are required.  
 
12. Any applicant may directly apply for a permit via customs brokers with access to the Export and 
Import Controls System.  Import permit fees range from CAN$10.00 to CAN$26.00 (according to 
the value of the goods). This fee does not cover the cost of any additional services provided by such 
issuers.  Import permits may also be requested, by fax, from Global Affairs Canada  in Ottawa for 
which the associated fees rang e from CAN$15.00 to CAN$31.00 (according to the value of the 
goods).  
 
13. No.  
 
Conditions of licensing  
14. A permit is valid for 30 days. Should the permit expire, the cancellation and subsequent issuance 
of a replacement permit may be completed upon reque st. 
 
15. No.  
 
16. Licences are not transferable.  
 
17. (a) No.  
 
(b)  No. 
 G/LIC/N/3/CAN/17  
 
- 37 - 
 
  Other procedural requirements  
18. No.  
 
19. Import permits issued pursuant to the Export and Import Permits Act  are not a condition of 
foreign exchange transactions.  
7.2.9   Carbon and Specialty Steel  
Outline of system  
1. Carbon and specialty steel are on the Import Control List , established under the  Export and Import 
Permits Act , and are subject to general licensing.  
 
Purposes and coverage of licensing  
2. Carbon steel products were pla ced on the Import Control Lis t under the authority of 
subsection  5(3) of the Export and Import Permits Act  with effect 1 September 1986, for the purpose 
of monitoring their entry into Canada following a reference to the Canadian Import Tribunal pursuant 
to section 48 of the Special Import Measures Act . The Tribunal concluded that carbon steel products 
are being and are likely to be imported into Canada at such prices, in such quantities and under such 
conditions as to make it advisable to collect informatio n with respect to the importation of such 
goods. Carbon steel products are defined as semi -finished steel (ingots, blooms, billets, slabs and 
sheet bars), plate, sheet and strip, wire rods, wire and wire products, railway -type products, bars, 
structural sh apes and units and pipe and tube. Specialty steel products were added to the Import 
Control List  1 June 1987, following an amendment to the Export and Import Permits Act , in order 
that the monitoring system for steel would be comprehensive. Specialty steel  products are defined 
as stainless flat -rolled products (sheet, strip and plate), stainless steel bar, stainless steel pipe and 
tube, stainless steel wire and wire product, alloy tool steel, mould steel and high speed steel.  
 
3.  The monitoring system applies to carbon and specialty steel imports from all countries.  
 
4.  The licensing is not intended to restrict the quantity or value of imports: it is intended to monitor 
the volume and the origin of carbon and specialty steel products.  
 
5.  The action o f placing carbon steel on the Import Control List  was taken under the authority of 
section 5(1) of the Export and Import Permits Act . 
 
Procedures  
6.  Not applicable.  
 
7. Effective 1 April 2012, all imports of carbon and specialty steel were exempted from the need of 
a transaction -based import permit, and imports of carbon and specialty steel now enter Canada 
under two General Import Permits. The appropriate General Import Permit number must be stated 
on the customs entry document.  
 
8.  See General Response s. 
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence  
9.  Any resident of Canada may invoke the General Import Permits.  
 
Documentational and other requirements for application for licence  
10. Nil.  
 
11. Normal customs entry forms indicating the appropriate Gene ral Import Permit are required.  
 
12.  There are no fees related to the use of General Import Permits.  
 G/LIC/N/3/CAN/17  
 
- 38 - 
 
  13.  Nil. 
 
Conditions of licensing  
14.-17. See General Responses.  
 
Other procedural requirements  
18. No.  
 
19. Not applicable.  
 
8  PLANT PROTECTION ACT 
Note: The Centre of Administration of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency delivers and coordinates 
the full range of operational administrative services required for import related permissions under 
this section ( http://inspection.gc.ca/about -the-cfia/permits -licences -and-
approvals/eng/1395348112901/1395348237219 ).  All permit applications are sent to  the Centre of 
Administration, Regulatory Permissions and Registration Division, National Service Centres 
Directorate of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.  
 
Outline of system  
1.  A permit to import outlines phytosanitary conditions import requirements wh ich must be met 
prior to export from the country of origin, during export and upon arrival in Canada. These conditions 
are required to prevent the introduction or spread within Canada of plant pests.   
 
Purpose and coverage of licensing  
2.  In accordance wi th Section 31 of the Plant Protection Regulations  and pursuant to the Plant 
Protection Act , a prospective importer must apply in writing for an import permit.  According to 
section 32 and section 43 of the Plant Protection Regulations , the Minister of Agri culture and 
Agri-Food, on the basis of a pest risk assessment, may issue a permit for the importation of a thing 
that is either a plant pest, constitutes or could constitute a biological obstacle to the control of a 
plant pest or is/could be infested with either a plant pest or a biological obstacle to the control of a 
plant pest if, the Minister determines that every precaution necessary can and will be taken to 
prevent the introduction into Canada or the establishment and spread within Canada of a plant p est 
or biological obstacle to the control of a plant pest.  
 
3.  The system applies to plant pest (e.g., disease cultures, insects), plants and plant products and 
any other article whose importation into Canada is regulated under the Plant Protection Act  and 
Regulations from all countries.  
 
4.  The permit system is not intended to restrict the quantity or value of imports.  The purpose of 
the import permit system is to ensure that plant pest, plants and plant products and other articles 
regulated under the Plant Protection Act  and Regulations imported in Canada conform to Canada's 
plant protection phytosanitary import requirements. The permit system protects against the 
introduction into and spread of pests injurious to plants in Canada.  
 
5.  The permit syste m is legislated and regulated under the Plant Protection Act  and the Plant 
Protection Regulations . The permit system is statutorily required. The determination that a product 
needs a permit is based on the assessment of the phytosanitary pest risk it poses . Lastly, it is not 
possible for the government to abolish the system without a regulatory amendment.  
 
Procedures  
6.  There are no quantitative or value limits on the importation of products from other countries.  
 
7.(a) An importer must obtain a valid import permit prior to importation.  Written permit 
applications may be mailed/e -mailed or faxed to the Licensing, Permitting and Registration 
Division, National Inspection and Investigation Services Directorate  of the Canadian  Food 
Inspection Agency (CFIA). Once all required information has been received and a review of G/LIC/N/3/CAN/17  
 
- 39 - 
 
  the permit application form has been completed, the CFIA will endeavour to issue a Permit to 
Import between five to ten business days (subject to change) . 
 
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency will not issue an import permit for regulated 
commodities that have already arrived in Canada.  This is because an import permit is not 
retroactive.  
(b)  No.  An application cannot be granted immediately upon request as it m ust be subject to a 
pest risk review.  
 
(c)  No, there are no limitations as to the period of the year in which an application for a permit 
to import can be submitted.  
 
(d)  Yes.  All applications for a permit to import are sent to and approved by one admin istrative 
body. All applications are sent to the Licensing, Permitting and Registration Division, National 
Inspection and Investigation Services Directorate of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. 
However, some commodities may be regulated by other governm ents departments and may 
be subjected to other requirements.  
 
8.  The plant protection import permit may be refused on the grounds that the plants, plant products 
or other matter intended for importation will result or is likely to result in the introducti on into 
Canada of a plant pest.  A permit can also be refused or revoked if a person has contravened the 
Act and/or Regulations.  The importer is advised of the refusal or revocation.  The Plant Protection 
Act or Plant Protection Regulations  do not prescribe an appeal procedure in cases where a permit is 
refused or revoked.  
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence  
9. An applicant for a Permit to Import must be one of the following: 1) a Canadian citizen or 
permanent resident; 2) a perso n authorized under the laws of Canada to reside in Canada for a 
period of six months or more and who will have possession, care or control of the thing to be 
imported; or 3) in the case of a corporation with a place of business in Canada, the applicant mus t 
be an agent or officer of the corporation who resides in Canada.  
 
Note:  The CFIA will not accept applications for Permits to Import submitted by Brokerage Firms on 
behalf of their clients. The actual Canadian importer (person/company) must submit the app lication.  
 
Documentational and other requirements for application for a permit to import  
10.  An application for a permit shall be in writing, signed and dated by the person applying for the 
permit and contain the following information:  
 
(a)  The name, com plete address and telephone number of the person;  
 
(b)  The name, complete address and telephone number of the owner of the thing to be imported, 
if different from paragraph (a);  
 
(c)  The name and complete address of the exporter;  
 
(d)  A description and the common and scientific names of the thing;  
 
(e)  The quantity of the thing;  
 
(f)  The purpose for which the thing is to be admitted into Canada;  
 
(g)  The place of entry and the location of the place of destination of the thing in Canada;  
 
(h)  The coun try and place where the thing was propagated or produced, and the country and 
place from which it was shipped to Canada;  
 
(i)  The number of packages, if sent by mail or courier service; and  
 G/LIC/N/3/CAN/17  
 
- 40 - 
 
  (j)  Any other information respecting any activity undertaken in  respect of the thing, or the 
precautions that will be taken to prevent the spreading of any pest or biological obstacle to 
the control of a pest while the thing is transported, as the Minister may require.  
 
11. The documents (e.g., phytosanitary certifica te, certificate of inspection, certificate of treatment, 
certificate of origin, affidavit, etc.) specified on the permit are required at the time of importation.  
 
12.  Fees for each permit application can range between CAN$15 and CAN$250, depending on the 
reason for importation and the need for a pest risk assessment.  
 
13.  There is no deposit or advance payment that is required or associated with the issuance of a 
permit. However, full payment is required before a permit can be issued.  
 
Conditions of permi t 
14. Permits to import are valid for the period of time specified on the permit. The permit to import 
is valid for multiple shipments and unlimited quantities unless otherwise specified. Permits to import 
issued to persons travelling or collecting will be  valid for no more than one year.  When a permit has 
expired, it is the responsibility of the importer to apply for a new permit.  
 
15.  There is no penalty for the non -utilization of a permit or a portion of a permit.  
 
16.  Import permits are not transferable between importers.  
 
17.  The issuance of an import permit is only subject to the provisions of the Plant Protection Act  
and Regulations . 
 
Other procedural requirements  
18.  Generally, there are no other administrative procedures apart from the  import permit application 
procedures.  
 
19.  Not applicable.  
 
9  HEALTH OF ANIMALS ACT  
Note: The Centre of Administration of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency delivers and coordinates 
the full range of operational administrative services required for import  related permissions under 
this section ( http://inspection.gc.ca/about -the-cfia/permits -licences -and-
approvals/eng/1395348112901/139534823 7219   All permit applications are sent to the Centre of 
Administration, Regulatory Permissions and Registration Division, National Service Centres 
Directorate of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.  
 
Note: The Health of Animals Act section has been updated to include amendments to the Health of 
Animals Regulations, which entered into force on 10 December 2011 with a one -year transition 
period and included import controls and requirements for export certification for aquatic animals 
listed in Schedule  III of the Health of Animal Regulations. As of 10 December 2012, the Canadian 
Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) began requiring an import permit with accompanying foreign country 
export certification for the import of any aquatic animal species and th eir prod ucts listed in 
Schedule  III of the Health of Animals Regulations. For additional information, please visit 
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/anima/aqua/20111118inde.shtml . 
 
Under the Health of Animals Act and the Health of Animals Regulations, along with  the associated 
import reference documents, the importation of animals, animal products, animal by -products, 
animal pathogens, and other things (such as used equipment) are allowed under certain conditions. 
Importers of animals or their products or by -products are obligated to ensure compliance with the 
requirements of all CFIA policies and directives that fall under the pertinent legislative authority by 
animal or commodity, such as the Meat Inspection Act and the Meat Inspection Regulations, 1990, 
the Fee ds Act and the Feeds Regulations, 1983, and the Fertilizers Act and the Fertilizers Regulations.  
 
Animal products and by -products used in the preparation of food, cosmetics, drugs (including 
pharmaceuticals for use in animals, pharmaceuticals and biologics  for human use, and natural health G/LIC/N/3/CAN/17  
 
- 41 - 
 
  products for use in animals or humans), and medical devices are also regulated by Health Canada 
through product -specific regulatory programs. For these products, the regulatory requirements for 
animal products and by -products are administered by the CFIA under the authority of the Food and 
Drugs Act and the Food and Drug Regulations. Veterinary biologics and their components are 
regulated by the CFIA under the Health of Animals Act and the Health of Animals Regulations. 
Importers must comply with the import requirements of all Canadian government departments or 
agencies for a particular commodity.  
 
Outline of system  
1. For  terrestrial live animals: importation from countries other than the U.S., a permit is required 
for all  animals (except pet dogs and domesticated cats, certain rodents, reptiles excluding turtles 
and their eggs, amphibians and marine mammals), semen (except canine), embryos, veterinary 
biologics, and certain animal products and by -products depending on the species and country of 
origin. For importation from the U.S., a permit is required for the following: semen (except for equine 
and canine), embryos, veterinary biologics, psittacine birds (other than pet birds), turtles, tortoises, 
skunks, foxes and raccoo ns, some ruminants and swine, elephants, honeybees, dogs under 8 months 
of age (commercial shipments and for research) certain rodents, and certain other animal products 
and by -products dependent on species. In response to changes in health status, import requirements 
can change at any time.  
 
For animal products and by -products the conditions for import vary by the risk posed by the 
commodity, the processing, end use and origin. To verify import conditions, please check with 
published import policies at htt p://www.inspection.gc.ca/animals/terrestrial -
animals/imports/policies/animal -products -and-by-products/eng/1320833457085/1320851008731  
 
For importation of aquatic animals (finfish, molluscs and crustaceans) and their products listed in 
the Health of Animals  Regulations as susceptible to the diseases of concern, a permit and a 
zoosanitary certificate is required. For importation of aquatic animals (finfish, molluscs and 
crustaceans) and their products from shared waters within the U.S. which have been establi shed as 
having the same health status for specific diseases of concern and are intended for specific end uses 
such as those for human consumption end uses (Food Service, Retail Use and Further Processing), 
only an import permit may be required. Import perm its are not required for live animals not 
considered susceptible to diseases of concern and for their products which are considered safe in 
accordance with international standards of the OIE or as a result of a risk assessment.  
 
For the most up to date information and additional details on CFIA import requirements, please refer 
to the Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) at:  
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/englis h/imp/airse.shtml  
 
Purpose and coverage of licensing  
2. See No.1 above.  
 
3. For terrestrial animals: Imports are permitted only from countries which are recognized by the 
Canadian Food Inspection Agency as free of serious animal diseases which may affect t he species of 
animal imported. However, certain animal products may be imported from countries that are not 
free of these diseases under an import permit if they have been treated or processed to eliminate 
the disease.    Imports may also be restricted on b ehalf other government agencies when there is 
concern about a disease which may be transmitted to people.    
 
For aquatic animals: Imports are permitted only from countries with which a zoosanitary certificate 
has been negotiated based on the aquatic animal  health system. Imports of aquatic animals and 
their products may be permitted without a zoosanitary only from shared waters with the US that 
have been established as having the same health status for diseases of concern and are intended 
for certain end us es. 
 
4. The permit system is intended to ensure that all items identified in No.1 are imported in conformity 
with Canada's sanitary health regulations to protect against the introduction of diseases into or 
spread within Canada. Decisions are made followin g a risk analysis and risk assessment process.  
 G/LIC/N/3/CAN/17  
 
- 42 - 
 
  5. The Health of Animals Act and Regulations  thereunder. Goods, products and animals requiring 
permits are specified (see No.1). There is no authority to waive regulations.  
 
Procedures  
6. There is provision for the importation of certain food products to a maximum amount for sample 
purposes only under approved conditions.  
 
7.(a) In the case of live animals, animal semen, animal by -products, aquatic animals and their 
products an import permit must be issued pr ior to the importation and the permit describes 
the conditions of importation as it relates to health certification and in certain cases, post -
import conditions that must be satisfied once the terrestrial or aquatic animal or product 
arrives in Canada. On arrival at the port of entry in Canada:  
 
(i) animals, including aquatic animals may be subject to veterinary inspection, as 
applicable, and the accompanying permit and health certification (if required) are 
inspected to assure that import requirements are met; and  
(ii)  in the case of aquatic and terrestrial animals, semen and animal by -products and 
aquatic animal products, the permit and health certification are checked; product 
inspection may occur at designated receiving centres inland;  
(iii)  some aquat ic and terrestrial animals require post -import quarantine;  
(iv)  some aquatic and terrestrial animals require post -import testing (in quarantine); and  
(v)  ornamental aquatic animals may be required to be imported to designated premises.  
 
In the case of veterinary biologics, production outlines and data to support purity, safety, 
potency and efficacy for each product must be submitted and approved prior to the issuance 
of the permit. They are examined and reviewed to assure the product is safe, free from 
contaminants and that the label meets all requirements.  
 
(b)   In most cases where permit conditions exist, a permit can be issued within five working days.  
 
(c)   No. 
 
(d)   Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), except for endangered species which requi re an 
additional permit from Environment Canada. Other federal domestic requirements for 
introduction of aquatic animals into natural waters under Fisheries and Oceans Canada may 
also apply.  
 
8.  The CFIA can refuse to issue import permits on some occasion s. Examples of these are:  
 
(a)   When the disease status of a country does not meet minimum criteria, a permit will not be 
issued.  
 
(b)   When a country does not have a satisfactory disease diagnosis capability or disease control 
organization, a permit may  not be issued.  
 
(c)  Dependent on the departmental mandate for a particular commodity or risk factor/hazard, 
CFIA consults with either Health Canada, or Public Health Agency of Canada, with regard to 
zoonoses or communicable diseases common to humans and animals or in the case of aquatic 
animals, Fisheries and Oceans Canada with respect to introduction into natural waters.  
 
(d)  Commercial importers of veterinary biologics must be approved by the foreign company 
manufacturing the products and also must hav e acceptable facilities and procedures to meet 
the CFIA's import conditions, such as maintaining the cold chain and reporting adverse events.  
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for permit to import  
9. Any resident of Canada or company registered in Canada who has the necessary qualifications 
and facilities to satisfy the import permit conditions.  
 G/LIC/N/3/CAN/17  
 
- 43 - 
 
  Documentational and other requirements for application for a permit to import  
10. Application must be made in writing on the appropriate application form, and mus t specify the 
species, quantities, date of arrival, country of origin and purposes of import. For aquatic animals, 
Part XVI of the  Health of Animals Regulations  requires specific species listed in Schedule III to have 
an import permit. All other aquatic an imals must meet the requirements of Section 194 which 
includes name and address of the import exporter, taxonomic name, quantity/number and the 
location where the animal was born.  
 
11. In addition to the permit to import animals, animal by -products, aquati c animals and their 
products and the normal customs documentation, a zoosanitary certificate of health issued by the 
Competent Authority or Veterinary Services of the country of origin must normally accompany the 
shipment. Some exceptions exist for aquatic  animals and their products. A customs document is also 
needed. For terrestrial animals, some form of animal identification is normally required. Please 
consult the Automated Import Reference System for additional information on import requirements.  
 
12. Yes. See CFIA Fees notice at:  http://www.inspection.gc.ca/about -the-cfia/acts -and-
regulations/fees -notice/eng/1307222845373/1307222984162 . 
 
13. Yes, payments are requested at the time of submitting the application.  
 
Conditions of permit  
14. Will often vary depending on the commodity and the purpose of the importation. It varies from 
single entry shipment to multiple shipments over a one -year period. A single -entry permit is 
generally valid for 3 months.  
 
15. No.  
 
16. No.  
 
17. See No. 6.  
 
Other procedural requirements  
18. Pre -import quarantine and testing may be required.  
 
19. Not applicable.  
 
10  FISH I NSPECTION ACT 
Note: The Centre of Administration of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency delivers and coordinates 
the full range of operational administrative services required for import related permissions under 
this section (http://inspection.gc.ca/about -the-cfia/permits -licences -and-
approvals/eng/1395348112901/1395348237219).  All permit applications are sent to the Centre of 
Administration, Regulatory Permi ssions and Registration Division, National Service Centres 
Directorate of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.  
 
Outline of system  
1.  Other than for personal consumption or personal use as trade samples, the importation of all fish 
and fish products into C anada as food for human consumption is subject to licensing under the Fish 
Inspection Act and its Regulations , which is administered by the Canadian  Food Inspection Agency 
(CFIA). The Fish Inspection Act and its Regulations  contain requirements for wholeso meness, 
labelling, packaging, grading and human health and safety.    
 
Purposes and coverage of licensing  
2.  See No.1 above.  
 
3. The system applies to fish and fish products from all countries.  See the Fish Inspection 
Regulations  for exceptions or additional requirements for products from certain countries.  The list G/LIC/N/3/CAN/17  
 
- 44 - 
 
  of specific countries that are approved to export live or raw molluscan shellfish is available at:   
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/food/fish -and-seafood/imports/molluscan -
shellfish/eng/1377987441620/1377987693551 . Other non -quantitative restrictions exist for the 
import of certain spe cies.  For example, the importation of live freshwater mitten crab (genus 
Eriocheir) or puffer fish (family Tetraodontidae) is not permitted under the Fish Inspection 
Regulations .  
 
4.  The purpose of licensing is to ensure that importers understand their responsibility for ensuring 
that the fish they import will meet all the applicable Canadian regulatory requirements.  Imports 
must also meet all the applicable import licence and fish inspection regulatory requirements.   
 
5.  The authorization of imports i s maintained under the Fish Inspection Act and its Regulations .  The 
licensing is statutorily required (see Fish Inspection Regulations ).  The Fish Inspection Act  allows the 
Governor -in-Council to regulate imports of fish.  There is no administrative discr etion with respect 
to the products subject to licensing.  Legislative approval would be required in order to abolish 
elements of the import system described in the Fish Inspection Regulations .  Any person or 
organization who wishes to import fish or fish p roducts into Canada, for sale or distribution for human 
consumption, must first obtain an import licence from a CFIA office.  Fish for personal consumption 
and personal use as trade samples are exempt from these requirements.  
 
Procedures  
6.  There are no q uantitative or value restrictions.  
 
7.  Where there is no quantitative limit on importation of a product or on imports from a particular 
country:  
 
(a)  Licences are granted by CFIA in a timely manner.  Waiting time depends on the complexity of 
the request.   The process for CFIA to grant an import licence requires the importer to submit 
to CFIA a complete application package for a fish import licence which must include:   
 
- completed application form for a fish import licence;  
-  for new importers, Application for Credit CFIA/ACIA 0015;  
-  for a Quality Management Program for Importers (QMPIU) licence, the applicant must 
submit a written QMPI plan;  
-  $500 fee for a fish import licence or $5000 for a QMPI  Fish Import Licence as fixed by 
the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Fees Notice;  
-  Canada Revenue  Agency Business Number documentation.  
 
In addition to the application package  for a fish import licence , importers are required to 
advise CFIA how they will meet the following regulatory requirements:  
 
-  import products that are not tainted, decomposed or unwholesome and meet all 
Canadian regulatory requirements;  
-  store products in a way that prevents contamination and deterioration;  
-  track distribution of product they import including name and addr ess of person to whom 
they sold the fish and the date it was sold;  
-  track complaints and investigate information that they receive which questions the 
safety of their product;  
-  obtain process control documents for canned and ready -to-eat products you i mport (see 
Section 4.7. 4 Proce ss Control Documents).  
 
 The applicant of a QMPI licence must develop a written QMPI plan that meets the QMPI 
Reference Standard http://www.inspection.gc.ca/food/fish -and 
seafood/imports/documents/qmpi -reference -
standard/eng/1360870958448/1360871089672 . 
 
A fish import licence expires one year after the date of issue and is not transferable . 
 
(b)  See response to part (a).  
 
(c)  There are no limitations regarding the time of year during which an application can be made.  G/LIC/N/3/CAN/17  
 
- 45 - 
 
   
(d)  The application for a Fish Import Licence is submitted solely to the importer's local CFIA office 
for review; it is a "single -window" process. The office receiving the application coordinates the 
submission with other CFIA offices . 
 
8.  The Fish Inspections Regulations  allow for the CFIA to refuse to grant (or renew) a Fish Import 
Licence under certain con ditions in addition to failure to meet the ordinary criteria.  The FIR state 
that the CFIA shall issue a licence, upon receipt of a complete application and the applicable fee, 
unless there are reasonable grounds to believe that the applicant will not comp ly with the Fish 
Inspection Act or Regulations  (e.g. providing false information, non -notification of imports, a poor 
history of compliance).  The applicant should be provided with the reason(s) for refusal.  CFIA policy 
allows for an appeal of refusal to issue a licence.  The Regulations allow for appeals to the Regional 
Director in cases of a suspension or revocation of a licence and describe the procedures to do so.  
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence  
9.  Any person or company meeting the crit eria is eligible to apply for a Fish Import Licence.  
 
Documentational and other requirements for application for licence  
10. To hold a fish import licence, importers must maintain specific records, for no less than 3 years, 
at an address in Canada.  The f ish import licence application form and application for credit which 
must accompany the import licence application can be found online:  
 
Fish import licence application form (see form # 5587):  
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/food/fish -and-
seafood/imports/eng/1299825431569/1299825501933 . 
 
Application for credit which must accompany import licence a pplication (see form # 0015):  
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/food/fish -and-
seafood/imports/eng/1299825431569/1299825501933 . 
 
Importers must notify the cl osest CFIA fish inspection office in writing using the Fish Import 
Notification (FIN)  prior to the importation of a product, or within 48 hours following  importation.  
Notification must include all items identified in the "Instructions to Complete the Fish  Import 
Notification" (http://www.inspection.gc.ca/DAM/DAM -aboutcfia -sujetacia/STAGING/text -
texte/c5588_re_1383911986940_eng.pdf ), incl uding but not limited to: importer name and license 
number, foreign producer, storage conditions, product description, product source and country of 
harvest, end use, etc.  
 
11. Each written notification of importation must include the production codes for all canned and 
ready -to-eat fish (first -time imports of these products require documentation describing the process 
and processing controls applied to the lot for each processor for each type of product which indicate 
that the product was adequately proces sed and will r emain safe for its entire shelf -life). Failure to 
provide proper written notification for each imported shipment may result in enforcement action by 
CFIA.   
 
12.  The fee for a Fish Import Licence is CAN$500.  Importers may apply for a volunt ary program 
where they have additional responsibility for sampling and testing.  The fee for this Quality 
Management Program for Importers (QMPI) licence is CAN$5000. CFIA Inspection service fees reflect 
the resources needed to inspect different product ty pes and are applied based on the declared weight 
and type of product (as described on the Fish Import Notification).  
 
13.  Importers are responsible to pay service fees as a condition of holding a fish import licence.  
The importer applies for credit accou nt with the CFIA at the time of application for an import licence.  
The service fees apply to each lot imported and are applied to the importer's account with CFIA. The 
importer is sent invoices on a regular basis (monthly) for the service fees applied to the fish imported 
during the billing period.  There is no deposit or advance payment associated with the issuance of 
import licences.  
 G/LIC/N/3/CAN/17  
 
- 46 - 
 
  Conditions of licensing  
14.  Licences are valid for 12 months.  Importers must apply to renew their licence if they wish to 
continue to import fish after the expiry of their licence.  
 
15.  No. 
 
16.  Licences are not transferable between persons or businesses.  
 
17.  Other conditions attached to the issue of a licence:  
 
(a)   Not applicable.  
 
(b)   No. 
 
Other procedural requirements  
18.  No. 
 
19.  Not applicable.  
 
11  CANADA AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS ACT  
11.1  Licensing and Arbitration Regulations  
Outline of system  
1. The Licensing and Arbitration Regulations  (L&A Regulations) of the Canada Agricultural Products 
Act covers fresh fruit s and vegetables. The legislation is intended to ensure that dealers marketing 
fresh fruit and vegetables in import or interprovincial trade conduct transactions in accordance with 
standard rules of trade.  
 
In terms of licensing for the above commodities, licensing applies only to Canadian importers of 
fresh fruits and vegetables. Foreign exporters shipping fresh produce to Canada do not require a 
CFIA produce licence.  
 
Purposes and coverage of licensing  
2. See No. 1 above.  
 
3. The licensing system applies to produce dealers importing fresh fruits and vegetables from any 
country. Dealers who have opted to become members of the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Dispute 
Resolution Corporation (FFVDRC), whose mandate is similar to that of the L&A Regulations, are 
exemp t from the L&A Regulations. The FFVDRC is a private corporation established in 2000 under 
the auspices of the NAFTA, whose members must comply with industry -developed fair trade 
standards.  
 
4. The licensing system is not intended to restrict the quantity o r value of imports. The license 
system promotes fair and equitable trading of fruits and vegetables inter -provincially and 
internationally. It establishes terms and conditions that dealers must comply with when buying fresh 
produce, which include, among ot her things, proper notification when problems occur, requirement 
for inspection, etc.  
 
5. The system for licensing of produce dealers is maintained under the Licensing and Arbitration 
Regulations  (L&A Regulations) of the  Canada Agricultural Products Act .    Licensing is not subject to 
administrative discretion. Dealers of products considered to be fresh fruits and vegetables are 
required to be licensed, unless exempt as described in the L&A Regulations. It would require 
legislative approval to abolish th e fresh fruit and vegetable licence system.   
 G/LIC/N/3/CAN/17  
 
- 47 - 
 
  Procedures  
6. These products are not restricted as to the quantity or value of imports.  
 
7.(a)  Currently, the CFIA's time standard for issuing Federal Produce Licenses is 3 – 6 weeks. Many, 
however, are issued  within two weeks, but are dependent on the completeness of the 
company's application. At this time, over 85% of all Canadian dealers have chosen to become 
FFVDRC members and therefore are exempt from licensing requirements (see no. 3 above).  
 
(b)  Federal  Produce Licenses cannot be granted immediately upon request.  
 
(c)  There are no limitations as to when a company may apply for a Federal Produce License.  
(d)  CFIA is the only administrative body to assess a CFIA Produce Licence application.  
 
8. When asse ssing a dealer for a licence, refusal would be based on the regulatory requirements and 
responsibilities not being met (as per the application documentation or through a complaint received 
by the CFIA). The Licensing and Arbitration Regulations  also provide for the ability to require 
applicants to post a bond or other security to ensure that they will comply with the terms and 
conditions established under their licence. If a licence was refused, the applicant would be made 
aware of the reason(s)  for the refusal. The CFIA policy allows for an appeal to the refusal to issue a 
licence. The appeal is assessed based on evidence that the dealer will comply with the terms and 
conditions of a licence issued pursuant to the Licensing and Arbitration Regul ations . 
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence  
9. Any person or company with a Canadian place of business is eligible to apply for a licence to 
import fresh produce.  
 
Documentational and other requirements for application for licence  
10. An application for a Produce Licence must be submitted containing information such as the 
company name, the representatives in positions of responsibility, a description of the type of 
business and products the company will be importing, and answer questions pertaining to the past 
business practices. See Application for a Produce License 
at: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/for /pdf/c0985e.pdf .  
 
A first -time applicant must also provide the CFIA with a copy of the documents listed below:  
 
-   A lease agreeme nt for any facilities rented;  
-   Incorporation papers, if the applicant is a corporation; and  
-   A letter of reference from a financial institution where they have recently done business . 
 
11. Imported fresh produce must be accomp anied by a Confirmation of Sale 
form http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/for/pdf/c3885e.pdf  at point of entry into Canada. A 
Confirmation of Sale form is not required to be presented at point of entry if information is submitted 
through Electronic Data Interchange (EDI).  
 
In the case of apples, onions, and potatoes, there is a requirement of an inspection certificate 
certifying that the product meets Canada's import requirements in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable 
Regulations  of the Canada Agricultural Products Act . 
 
The CFIA recognizes the USDA certificates for apples, onions and potatoes as well as inspection 
certificates for apples prepared by the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries. Apples, onions 
and potatoes imported from other countries will be subject to inspect ion by the CFIA at time of 
arrival.  
 
12. The annual fee for an import licence for fresh fruit and vegetables, where applicable, is 
CAN$1,075.  
 
For apples, onions and potatoes arriving without a recognized inspection certificate, CFIA fee for 
inspection is CAN$1.37 per 100 kg (minimum CAN$68.00).  
 G/LIC/N/3/CAN/17  
 
- 48 - 
 
  13. There is no deposit or advance payment required for a fresh produce licence. A bond may be a 
prerequisite if it is deemed necessary to secure a guarantee that the dealer will comply with the 
terms and condition s of a licence.  
 
Conditions of licensing  
14. A fresh Produce Licence is valid for 12 months. A renewal process is initiated by CFIA, whereby 
a Produce Licence renewal package is sent to the licensee one month prior to the expiry.  
 
15. There is no penalty f or non -utilization of licence.  
 
16. Licences are not transferable.  
 
17. If a condition exists where a suspension or cancellation occurs, a dealer, after being given an 
opportunity to be heard, may be required to post a bond in order to have their licence reinstated 
and to continue operating.  
 
Other procedural requirements  
18.  Any additional administrative procedures relating to the importation of goods under the 
Canadian Agricultural Products Act  would be the responsibility of the importer. For example, c ertain 
products are also subject to requirements under the Plant Protection Act and Regulations .   
 
19.  Not applicable.  
 
11.2  Dairy Product Regulations  
Outline of system  
1. The importation of cheese into Canada is subject to licensing under the Canada Agricultural 
Products Act and its regulations (Dairy Product Regulations) , which are administered by the Canadian 
Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). Licensing is intended to ensure that imported cheeses meet 
Canadian standards for safety, quality, composition,  packaging and labelling.  
 
Requirements related to a cheese import licence are specified in Sections 26.2 to 26.6 of the Dairy 
Products Regulations  (DPR). These sections describe the requirements that must be met to apply 
for and maintain a cheese import l icence as well as the conditions for suspension or cancellation of 
a licence.  
 
Purposes and coverage of licensing  
2. See No. 1.  
 
3. The system applies to cheeses from all countries imported into Canada. Licensing is not required 
for cheese which is not for  sale in Canada and (a) weight 20 kg or less; (b) is carried on any vessel, 
train, motor vehicle, aircraft or other means of transportation for use as food for the crew or 
passengers thereof; (c) is part of an immigrant's personal effects; (d) is consigned  to a national or 
international exhibition and weighs 100 kg or less; or (e) is imported from the United States into 
the Akwesasne Reserve for use by an Akwasasne resident.  
 
4. The licensing system is not intended to restrict the quantity or value of impor ts.  The licensing 
system ensures that importers implement effective controls which provide assurance that the cheese 
they import is safe for consumption, and meets all relevant Canadian regulations and standards.  
 
5. The system for licensing of cheese is maintained under the DPR of the Canada Agricultural 
Products Act . There is no administrative discretion with respect to the products subject to licensing. 
Legislative approval would be required in order to abolish elements of the import system described 
in the Dairy Product Regulations . 
 
Procedures  
6. The quantity and value of imported cheese products are not restricted.  G/LIC/N/3/CAN/17  
 
- 49 - 
 
   
7.(a) CFIA provides cheese import licences in a timely manner. The waiting time is dependent on 
the completeness and accuracy of the company's application. If the applicant's current 
information and annexed documents are not complete and accurate, the application will be 
returned to the applicant for resubmission causing delays in the licensing process.  
 
(b)  Cheese import licences cann ot be granted immediately.  
 
(c)   There are no limitations as to the period of the year during which an application for a cheese 
license can be made.  
 
(d)   CFIA is the only administrative body which assesses cheese licence applications.  
 
8. Other than not  submitting a complete and accurate application, there are no circumstances to 
refuse an application.   
 
Eligibility of Importers to Apply for licence  
9. Any person or company is eligible to apply for a licence to import cheese into Canada.  
 
Documentation and other requirements for application for licence  
10. An application for the issuance , renewal  or amendment  of a cheese  import licence shall be sent 
to the local CFIA dairy inspector  in a form provided  by the Agency  (CFIA / ACIA 5562 (2008/08), 
available  at http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/for/mpppe.shtml ) and shall indicate : 
 
-  whether  it is an application for a new cheese  import licence or for the renewal  or amendment  
of an existing  cheese  import licence;  
-  the number  of the importer's existing chee se import licence, if any and expiry date;  and  
-  the name, address, including  postal code, telephone  number , emergency contact number  and 
e-mail address . 
 
The application shall have annexed  to it: 
 
(a) a copy of the importer's  cheese recall  program, indicating : 
-  the person responsible for carrying out the program;  
-  the cheese coding system description; and  
-  the notification and other procedures to effect the recall.  
 
(b)  a list of cheeses expected to be imported during the period of the cheese import licence, and 
the country in which they originate; and  
 
(c)  if the importer has an establishment in Canada for the purpose of cutting, shredding, 
repackaging, etc. (not including  storage ) of the imported  product , other  than a registered  
establishmen t, the application shall also have annexed : 
 
-  plans and specifications for the establishment including description of the location of the 
establishment in relation to adjacent facilities, intended uses of rooms and types and 
location of equipment to be u sed; 
 
-  a copy of the sanitation program for the establishment, indicating:  
-  the person responsible for carrying out the program;  
-  the equipment and chemical agents available for use to bring about and maintain 
clean and sanitary conditions; and  
-  the measures proposed to be taken to ensure clean and sanitary conditions.  
 
-  a copy of the pest control program for the establishment, indicating:  
-  the person responsible for carrying out the program; and  
-  the measures proposed to be taken to safely and effectively control insects, birds, 
rodents and other vermin; and  G/LIC/N/3/CAN/17  
 
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  -  a document indicating the source of water to be used at the establishment for 
drinking or for cheese preparation  and a copy of a certificate of microbiological 
analysis of this  water . 
 
11. Brokers or  importers  are required  to submit  the following  documents to the regional  CFIA Import 
Service Centres (ISC) for processing : 
 
-  the Request for Release Approval (for cheese, import licence number indicated in the 
comments section) (CFIA/ACIA 5272);  
 
-  Import Declaration (for cheese, import licence number indicated in box 4) (CFIA/ACIA 4560) 
and Import Declaration Annex A - Dairy Products (CFIA/ACIA 5304) if necessary;  
 
-  any supplementary documents such as the commercial invoice, manifest, cargo control 
document.  
These  documents are initially  reviewed  for completeness  and accuracy  by the ISC staff, including  
validation of the CFI A cheese  import licence number .   
 
12. Importers are not required to pay any fee for the issuance, renewal or amendment of a cheese 
import licence; however, importers are required to pay a dairy product import fee. The dairy product 
import fees reflect the  resources needed to monitor and inspect the product and are based on the 
declared weight of a shipment as per:  
 
(a) in the case of a shipment of not more than 500  kg net weight, $44.  
 
(b) in the case of a shipment of more than 500 kg but not more than 2, 000 kg net weight an 
amount of $44 for the first 500 kg plus $0.012 per additional kg . 
 
(c)  In the case of a shipment of more than 2,000 kg but not more than 6,000 kg net weight an 
amount of $62 for the first 2,000 kg plus $0.0084 per additional kg  
 
(d) in the case of a shipment of more than 6,000 kg but not more than 10,000 kg net weight an 
amount of $95.60 for the first 6,000 kg plus $0.0036 per additional kg.  
 
(e) in the case of a shipment of more than 10,000  kg net weight an amount of $110 for the fir st 
10,000  kg plus $0.0012 per additional kg.  
 
13.  There is no deposit or advance payment required for a cheese import licence.  
 
Conditions of Licensing  
14. The Cheese import licence is not assignable and expires two years after the date of issue 
indicated  on it. Prior to expiry, the CFIA administers the renewal process.  
 
15. There is no penalty for non -utilization of licence.  
 
16. No.  
 
17.(a) No. 
 
(b)   No. 
 
Other procedural requirements  
18. Depending on the product and country of origin other programs may  have additional 
requirements. e.g., Animal Health.  
 
19.  No.  
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  12  WILD ANIMAL AND PLAN T PROTECTION AND REG ULATION OF INTERNATI ONAL AND 
INTERPROVINCIAL TRAD E ACT  
Outline of system  
1. By virtue of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora 
(CITES), of which Canada is a member, specimens of such species and their parts and derivatives 
are listed on Schedule I of the Wild Animal and Plant Trade Reg ulations  (WAPTR) established under 
the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act  
(WAPPRIITA) and subject to licensin g. Species which may be harmful to Canadian ecosystems if 
ever released to the wild  are listed in Schedule II of WAPTR and are also subject to licensing.  
 
Purposes and coverage of licensing  
2.  The purpose of this coverage is:  
 
(a) to place a strict limitation on trade in specimens and parts and derivatives of species classified 
as endangered or harmful to Canadian ecosystems;  
(b)  to establish a system of monitoring on specimens and susceptible to becoming endangered 
through the mechanism of back -to-back licensing; and  
 
(c)  to allow individual countries to exercise surveillance on importation in other countries 
specimens and parts and derivatives of species which are considered endangered by the 
exporting country only.  
 
3.  The system applies to endangered species , or species harmful to Canadian ecosystems, 
originating in and export ed from all countries.  
 
4.  The purpose of the licensing system is to allow importation in endangered species and their parts 
and derivatives in internationally agreed circumstances and, in the case of species in Schedule II, 
where there are sufficient saf eguards and security to prevent escapes to the wild.  
 
5. Licensing is effected by the Wild Animal and Plant Trade Regulations made under the WAPPRIITA. 
Individual products are not designated in the Act. Species are placed in Schedule I of the WAPTR , 
establ ished by the Governor -in-Council to implement an intergovernmental arrangement or 
commitment (see No. 1 above).  In addition, s pecies which may be harmful to Canadian ecosystems 
if ever released to the wild, are listed in Schedule II of WAPTR and are also subject to licensing  
requirements . 
 
Procedures  
6.I.  Information on how to comply with the requirements of this control is published in the Canada 
Gazette, on the Canada.ca website , in press releases and in Notices to Importers distributed 
to associations and traders and, in addition, available upon request from the Department of 
the Environment.  
 
Other questions under I, and II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X and XI are not applicable.  
 
7.(a)  Individual import permits for species listed in Schedule I of  WAPTR can be applied for at least 
35 days prior to the expected date of arrival and are not granted retrospectively. Individual 
import permits for species listed in Schedule II of WAPTR can be applied for at least 70 days 
prior to the expected date of arr ival and are not granted retrospectively.  
 
(b) An individual  import permit for species listed in Schedule I of WAPTR is normally granted 
within 35 days from receipt provided the criteria for issuing a permit are met.  Import permits 
can be obtained within a shorter time limit in special circumstances such as live animals.  An 
individual  import permit for species listed in Schedule II of WAPTR is normally granted within 
70 days from receipt provided the criteria for issuing a permit are met.  Import permits c an 
be obtained within a shorter time limit in special circumstances such as live animals.  
 
(c) Not applicable.  
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  (d) Permit applications are processed by the CITES Authorities of the Department of Environment 
Canada.  
 
8.  If the criteria have not been met, the applicant will be informed.  In such event, the applicant 
may request reconsideration by providing new information.  
 
9.  Citizenship and residency are not criteria.  
 
Documentational and other requirements for application for licence  
10.  The importer i s required to provide all the information requested by the Act and regulations 
depending on the type of animal or plant specimen intended for import.  There are many application 
forms specific to the type of animal or plant specimen and trade activity.  
 
CITES documents issued by the appropriate CITES authorities in the country of origin or in any 
subsequent re -exporting country, must accompany applications  for CITES import permits .   
 
11.  Same d ocuments as in the response to Question 10.  Specimens of CITES listed species arriving 
in Canada without a duly authentic CITES export permit will not be cleared by Canada Customs and 
are subject to seizure.  Specimens of species listed in Schedule II of WAPTR must be accompanied 
by a Canadian permit  issued under subsection 10(1) of WAPPRIITA. Specimens of species listed on 
Appendix I of CITES as indicated in Schedule I of the WAPTR must be accompanied by a Canadian 
CITES import permit.  Customs entry forms are also required.    
 
12.  No fees.  
 
13.  Not applicable . 
 
Conditions of licensing  
14. Import permits  for species listed in both Schedule I and Schedule II of WAPTR  are valid for one 
year from the date of issue.  In cases of permit expiration before use, the applicant can apply for a 
replacement per mit upon return of the expired permit . 
 
15. No. 
 
16. No. 
 
17. No. 
 
Other procedural requirements  
18. Applicants for import permits have to meet any provincial/territorial/federal administrative 
procedures with regards to the specimen such as provisions for  possession or transport within 
Canada.  
 
19.  Not applicable.  
 
13  EXPORT AND IMPORT OF  ROUGH DIAMONDS ACT  
Outline of system  
1.  The Export and Import of Rough Diamonds Act  (S.C., 2002, c. 25) received Royal Assent on 
12 December 2002 and came into force on 1st January 2003. The Act provides for controls on the 
export, import or transit across Canada of rough diamonds and for a certification scheme for the 
export of rough diamonds in order to meet Canada's obligations under the Kimberley Process. Under 
this syst em, every person who exports rough diamonds must ensure that the diamonds are in a 
container that meets the requirements of the Export and Import of Rough Diamonds Regulations  
(SOR/2003 -15) and are accompanied by a Canadian Certificate. On receiving an application for a 
Canadian Certificate from a resident of Canada for the export of rough diamonds, the Minister of 
Natural Resources must issue a Canadian certificate if the appl ication meets the requirements of the 
Regulations. Before issuing a Canadian Certificate, the Minister must be satisfied that the export is G/LIC/N/3/CAN/17  
 
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  to a participant, the information contained in the application is accurate, and the rough diamonds in 
respect of whi ch the application is made originated in Canada, were extracted from mineral 
concentrates in Canada, were imported from a participant or were in Canada prior to 
1st January  2003.  
 
Every person who imports rough diamonds must ensure that the diamonds are in  a container that 
meets the requirements of the R egulations and are accompanied by a valid Kimberley Process 
Certificate that was issued by a participant, has not been invalidated by the participant and that 
contains accurate information. For the purpose o f this Act, in -transit rough diamonds are deemed 
not to be imported or exported.  
 
Purposes and coverage of licensing  
2. The purpose of this Act is to provide for controls on the export, import or transit across Canada 
of rough diamonds in order to meet Can ada's obligations under the Kimberley Process. The 
Kimberley Process is an international understanding among participants that was recognized by 
Resolution 55/56 adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 1st December 2000. 
The Kimberley Proc ess establishes minimum requirements for an international scheme of 
certification for rough diamonds with a view to breaking the link between armed conflict and the 
trade in rough diamonds. A rough diamond is defined as a diamond that is unsorted, unworked  or 
simply sawn, cleaved or bruted, and that falls under subheading 7102.10, 7102.21 or 7102.31 in 
the List of Tariff Provisions set out in the schedule to the Customs Tariff, but does not include 
diamonds that are of a class prescribed by regulation.  
 
3. The system applies to rough diamonds originating in and coming from a participant. A participant 
is defined as a State, international organization of States or dependent territory of a State, or a 
customs territory, named in the Schedule to the Act.  
 
4.  The licensing is intended to impose controls on rough diamonds to regulate their import, export 
and transit across Canada in order to meet Canada's obligations under the Kimberley Process. The 
Kimberley Process establishes minimum requirements for an intern ational certification scheme for 
rough diamonds with a view of breaking the link between the illicit transaction of rough diamonds 
and armed conflict as a contribution to prevention and settlement of conflicts.  
 
5.  The licensing of exports is a requiremen t under section 8 of the Act, which establishes that a 
Canadian Kimberley Process Certificate is required for exporting rough diamonds from Canada. 
Section 12 provides that if the Minister of Natural Resources determines that information provided 
by an app licant in order to obtain a Canadian Certificate, or information appearing on the certificate, 
is inaccurate or has changed, the Minister may invalidate the certificate.  
 
Section 14 of the Act requires that imports of rough diamonds be accompanied by a Kim berley 
Process Certificate issued by a participant, that has not been invalidated, and that contains accurate 
information. Subsection 15(1) provides that if imported rough diamonds arrive in Canada 
accompanied by a Kimberley Process Certificate that meets the requirements of section 14 of the 
Act, but are in a container that has been opened, the Minister may order the person who imported 
the rough diamonds to return them to the participant who issued the certificate.  
 
Pursuant to paragraph 35(a), the Minister of Natural Resources may make regulations to prescribe 
the classes of diamonds to be excluded from the definition of "rough diamond".  
 
Legislative approval would be required to abolish this system . 
 
Procedures  
6.  Not applicable. Quantity and valu e restrictions, beyond the minimum requirements for 
Certificates in Annex I of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme Document, do not apply to 
imports of rough diamonds.  
 
7.    The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme is implemented through the nati onal legislation of 
the respective participants. The participants' exporting authority is responsible for issuance of 
licenses for export. Although participants' licensing systems conform to the Kimberley Process G/LIC/N/3/CAN/17  
 
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  minimum requirements, the terms vary from p articipant to participant in respect to application 
requirements and time frame for issuance of licenses.  
 
It takes typically a business day to issue a Canadian license for exports of rough diamonds from 
Canada. For clients with remote printing capability,  it may take as little as a couple of hours from 
the submission of an application to issue a Canadian Certificate for exports. The Canadian licenses 
for exports are issued by the Kimberley Process Office in the Department of Natural Resources based 
in Otta wa. There are no further approvals required from other administrative entities for the issuance 
of export licenses.  
 
8.  If an application for a Canadian license for exports does not meet the criteria in subsection 9(2) 
of the Act, paragraph 9(1)(c) provid es that the Minister must reject the application and the applicant 
is provided with the reasons for rejection in writing. Section 10 provides that if the applicant does 
not remedy the deficiency, within such time as the Minister considers reasonable, the M inister may 
reject the application.  
 
9.  Import licenses are issued by foreign authorities of the respective participants. Export licenses 
are issued by the Kimberley Process Office in the Department of Natural Resources under the 
authority of the Export a nd Import of Rough Diamonds Act . Only Canadian residents may apply for 
a license to export rough diamonds from Canada. Although the system does not currently require 
registration of persons or firms, the Minister may make regulations respecting the manner of 
submitting an application, specifying the information that must be included in it and the documents 
that must accompany the application  
 
Documentational and other requirements for application for licence  
10.  An application for a Canadian license for export of rough diamonds under section 9 of the Act 
must include the following information as set out in section 2 of the Regulations:  
 
(a)   The applicant's name and address in Canada and, if the applicant is a corporation, the name 
of the individual subm itting the application on its behalf;  
(b)   If the applicant is not the exporter of the rough diamonds, the name and address of the 
exporter;  
(c)   The name and address of the person to whom the exporter is exporting the rough diamonds;  
(d)   The name of t he participant to which the rough diamonds are to be shipped;  
(e)   The origin of the rough diamonds including:  
 (i)  If they were mined in Canada,  the place and name of the mine;  
(ii)  If they were recovered during exploration in Canada, the longitude and  latitude of the 
exploration site, and the place and name of the facility in which they were extracted ; 
(iii)  if they were extracted in Canada from mineral concentrates that originated outside 
Canada, the place and name of the facili ty in which they were extracted;  
(iv)  if they were present in Canada at the coming into force of section 8 of the Act, 
documentary evidence establishing their presence in Canada at that time ; and 
(v)  if they were imported into Canada after the coming into force of section 8 o f the Act, 
the serial number of each Kimberley Process Certificate that accompanied the rough 
diamonds ; 
(f)   The mass, measured in carats, of the rough diamonds in the shipment;  
(g)  The value, in United States dollars, of the rough diamonds in the shipme nt; 
(h)  The subheading in the List of Tariff Provisions in the schedule to the Customs Tariff under 
which the rough diamonds are classified;  
(i)  The number of containers in the shipment and a seal number for each container; and  
(j)  A declaration signed and dated by the applicant stating that the information contained in the 
application is accurate.  
 
Section 3 of the Regulations provides that an application for the replacement of a Canadian license 
for the export of rough diamonds under section 11 of the Act must meet the following criteria:  
 
(a)  Be made before the export of the rough diamonds;  
(b)  Contain all the information required under section 2 of the Regulations including any 
information appearing on the Canadian license that is inaccurate of has changed; and  
(c)   Be accompanied by the Canadian license in respect of which the application is made.  
 G/LIC/N/3/CAN/17  
 
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  Under section 4 of the Regulations, an application to the Minister under section 9 or 11 of the Act 
must be delivered by hand or sent by mail or courier  or by facsimile or other electronic means  
 
11. Pursuant to subsection 14(1) of the Act, a Kimberley Process Certificate issued by a participant 
is required to accompany import shipments of rough diamonds into Canada.  
 
12.  There are currently no licensing  fees or administrative fees charged to applicants for the 
issuance of licenses for export of rough diamonds from Canada. However, section 34 of the Act 
provides that the Governor in Council may make regulations to prescribe the fees payable for the 
issuan ce or replacement of a Canadian license.  
 
13.  There is no deposit or advance payment requirement associated with the issuance of export 
licenses.  
 
Conditions of licensing  
14. Section 6 of the Regulations provides that a Canadian Certificate is valid until  24:00 Greenwich 
mean time of the day that is 60 days after the date of issue. The validity of a license cannot be 
extended. However, the period of validity may be changed by regulation by the Minister of Natural 
Resources pursuant to subsection 35 (b) of the Act.  
 
15. There is no penalty for the non -utilization of a license.  
 
16. Licenses are not transferable.  
 
17. (a) Not applicable.  
 
(b)  The Minister of Natural Resources may make regulations specifying the content of Canadian 
licenses. Additionally, pur suant to section 7 of the Regulations, every exporter of rough 
diamonds must report the export to attest to the accuracy of the information contained in the 
Canadian license by signing the report and sending it to the Minister within seven days of 
Export. t. 
 
Other procedural requirements  
18. Apart from procedures provided for in the Act and the Regulations, including requirements 
associated with inspections, record keeping and export and import reporting, no additional 
administrative procedures are required . 
 
19. Not applicable.  
 
__________