WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/LIC/N/3/CAN/8 
16 October 2009 
 (09-5118) 
Committee on Import Licensing Original:   English 
  
 
REPLIES TO QUESTIONNAIRE ON IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES
1 
 
Notification under Article 7.3 of the Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures  
 
CANADA 
 
 The following communication, dated 13 October 2009, is being circulated at the request of the delegation of Canada.  
_______________ 
 
 
Introduction 
 
  Import licences are required for goods subject to  quantitative restrictions related to measures 
taken to safeguard domestic producers against injurious imports pursuant to either GATT 
Article XIX; for textiles and apparel goods for which a tariff preference level (TPL) is sought under 
the NAFTA; or international commitments (e.g. narc otics and endangered species of fauna and flora). 
Import controls, although not genera lly related to quantity, are also imposed on some products on 
grounds of public interest, or for monitoring pur poses.  This is accomplished either through import 
licensing measures or through certain other formalities at the port of entry.  Effective 1 January 1995 
(1 August 1995 for wheat, wheat products, barley, barley products, butter, dry whey and cream), 
Canada converted its agricultural import controls to a system of tariff rate quotas (TRQs); import 
licences are required as a condition of importation of quantity eligible for the in-quota rate of duty.   Import controls are administered by a limited number of government departments.  It is not 
practical, however, to provide a general description of  the procedures involved as they vary, in certain 
particulars, from department to department.  C onsequently, replies to the Questionnaire have been 
organized according to the different legisla tive instruments under which import controls are 
maintained.  In the case of the Export and Import Pe rmits Act, general responses in respect of dairy 
products;  chicken, turkey and eggs;  broiler hatching eggs and chicks;  beef and veal;  margarine;  
wheat and barley and their products ; and pork have been provided fo r questions 5, 8-10, 12-17 and 
19 of the Questionnaire. Replies to the remaining questions have been organized by separate product 
groups owing to difference in the procedures involved.  
                                                     
 
1 See G/LIC/3, Annex, for the Questionnaire. G/LIC/N/3/CAN/8 
Page 2  
 
   
TABLE OF CONTENTS  
 
I.
 CONTROLLED DRUGS AND SUBSTANCES ACT...........................................................3  
II. NATURAL HEALTH PRODUCTS REGULATIONS .........................................................7  
III. EXPLOSIVES ACT................................................................................................................. .9 
IV. NUCLEAR SAFETY AND CONTROL ACT......................................................................11  
A. NUCLEAR SUBSTANCES AND PRESCRIBED EQUIPMENT AND INFORMATION ...........................11  
V. NATIONAL ENERGY BOARD ACT ..................................................................................13  
A. NATURAL GAS..........................................................................................................................13  
VI. EXPORT AND IMPORT PERMITS ACT ..........................................................................16  
A. GENERAL RESPONSES APPLICABLE TO DAIRY PRODUCTS ; CHICKEN , TURKEY AND 
EGGS ; BROILER HATCHING EGGS AND CHICKS ; BEEF AND VEAL ; MARGARINE ; PORK ; 
AND WHEAT AND BARLEY .........................................................................................................16  
B. OTHER RESPONSES – BY PRODUCT GROUPS ...............................................................................18  
1. Dairy Products ................................................................................................................. .......18  
2. Chicken, Turkey and Eggs.....................................................................................................21  
3. Broiler Hatching Eggs and Chicks ........................................................................................23  
4. Beef and Veal.................................................................................................................. .........25  
5. Margarine...................................................................................................................... ..........27  
6. Wheat, Barley and their Products.........................................................................................29  
7. Frozen Pork from th e European Union ................................................................................31  
8. Clothing....................................................................................................................... .............33  
9. Textiles ....................................................................................................................... ..............35  
10. Carbon and Specialty Steel ....................................................................................................3 8 
VII. ANIMALS AND PLANTS .....................................................................................................40  
A. PLANT PROTECTION ACT ...........................................................................................................40  
B. HEALTH OF ANIMALS ACT .........................................................................................................42  
C. FISH INSPECTION ACT ................................................................................................................44  
D. CANADA AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS ACT................................................................................47  
E. ENDANGERED SPECIES ...............................................................................................................49  
  G/LIC/N/3/CAN/8 
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  I. CONTROLLED DRUGS AND SUBSTANCES ACT 
Outline of system  
 
1. The importation of controlled substances, industrial hemp and precursor chemicals is 
governed by 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 Na rcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, 1988. 
  The CDSA establishes a legislative framework  that essentially prohibits all activities, e.g., 
importation, exportation, production, distribution, et c., with controlled substances, industrial hemp 
and precursor chemicals, unless authorized by re gulation.  The regulations 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 gr ouped into six Schedules (Schedules I to VI) 
to the Act.  Schedules I to V lists controlle d substances (including benzodiazepines and other 
psychotropic substances, narcotics, hemp, stimulants , sedatives, and anabolic steroids) while Schedule 
VI lists precursor chemicals.    The following regulations outline provisions pertaining to the legal import of controlled 
substances, precursor chemicals and industrial hemp: 
 
“Controlled Substances” 
 
- Benzodiazepines and Other Targeted Substances Regulations : Sets out the circumstances and 
requirements in which producers, distributors,  importers, exporters, pha rmacists, practitioners 
and hospitals may conduct regulated activ ities including possession, sale, distribution, 
importing and exporting, and production of s ubstances listed in the Schedules to the 
Regulations. These Regulations also apply to “t argeted substances” which are defined as other 
psychotropic substances requiring a si milar level of regulatory control. 
- Narcotic Control Regulations :  Sets out the circumstances and requirements in which 
producers, distributors, importers, exporters,  pharmacists, practitione rs and hospitals may 
conduct regulated activities including possession, sa le, distribution, importing and exporting, 
and production of substances lis ted in the Schedule to these Regulations referred to as 
“narcotics”.  Examples of narcotics included in this group are cocaine, opium, codeine, 
morphine and cannabis (marihuana). 
- 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, importi ng, exporting, and prod uction of substances 
listed in the Schedule to these Regulations a nd 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, importers, exporters, pr actitioners and research institutions including 
possession, sale, distribution, importing, exporting,  and production of s ubstances listed in the 
Schedule to these Regulations and referred to  as “restricted drugs” such as MDMA, LSD, and 
psilocybin. 
 “Industrial Hemp”  
- Industrial Hemp Regulations : Sets out the circumstances and requirements for the 
importation, exportation and possession, as well as the production, sale, provision, transport, G/LIC/N/3/CAN/8 
Page 4  
 
  sending or delivering of industrial hemp for co mmercial purposes.  Hemp is defined in these 
Regulations as the  Genera Cannabis  plant, its leaves and flowering heads containing less 
than 0.3% of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and includes the derivatives of the plant and plant parts such as the oil derived from hemp seeds. 
 
“Precursor Chemicals” 
 
 Precursor Control Regulations: Sets out th e circumstances and requirements in which 
producers, distributors, importers, exporters,  pharmacists, practitione rs, and hospitals may 
conduct regulated activities, including production,  sale/provision, possession, importation and 
exportation of two broad classes of chemicals listed in the Schedule to these Regulations: 
  - Class A precursors: ephedrine, pseudophedr ine, piperidine, red/white phosphorus, etc. 
 - Class B precursors: acetone, hydrochloric acid, toluene, etc.  
 While these regulations governing the import of  controlled substances, precursors and hemp 
may be referred to as three different “licensing/permit systems” – as procedures vary somewhat between the classes of substances – overall, the “system s” are very similar.  In this regard, unless 
otherwise specified in the text below, proce dures are the same for each type of substances. 
 
Purpose and coverage of licensing
 
 
2. Prospective importers of controlled substances, Class A precursors or industrial hemp must be domestically licensed to import or conduct other regula ted activities with the specified substance.  The  
prospective importers must then submit an application for an import permit.  The application must specify the supplier's name, address and country, th e 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, industrial hemp and precursor chemicals 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 as most countries are a signatory to  these conventions.  Having said that, not all 
substances that are controlled in Canada are contro lled in other jurisdictions (e.g., impurities, analogs 
etc.).   4. The import permit system is intended to mini mize diversion to illicit markets by making sure 
the quantity of drugs imported does not exceed the a nnual estimate of legitimate Canadian medical or 
scientific needs, as communicated to the Intern ational 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 1. 
 
Procedures
 
 
6. I. Allocations of quotas for narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances (considered “controlled 
substances” in Canada) are published by the Unite d Nations, and this information is provided 
to dealers upon request and is available on the UN website.  Any nation exporting these 
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. 
  G/LIC/N/3/CAN/8 
 Page 5 
 
 
  II. The quotas for narcotic drugs and psychotr opic substances (“controlled substances”) are 
allocated annually in accordance with  the requirements of the INCB. 
 III. Permits to import controlled substances, indus trial hemp and Class A precursor chemicals are 
only issued to dealers who are licensed to c onduct activities with the relevant substances.  
Licensed dealers are also required to inform the Office of Controlled Substances when an 
import takes place, including the quantity imported.   Unused portions of permits for drugs and 
unused portions of cancelled permits for drugs ar e credited back to th e quota for the current 
year.  The names of the importers are not pub lished for confidentiality and security reasons, 
although for controlled substances and precursors,  Health Canada does send a copy of all 
import permits to the receiving country.  The government of the exporting country is notified 
of the permit once it has been issued. 
 IV. All quotas are established on an annual basis, and an application amendment to this quota 
may be made at any time during the year.  Import permit applications are accepted year round. 
 
V. Import permits are usually issued within fift een to twenty working days of receipt of  
application. 
 VI.  Import permits for controlled substances a nd industrial hemp 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 1 January of that year.  All permits are valid for 
at least three months from the date of issu e with none extending beyond 31 December of any 
given year.  For precursor chemicals, import pe rmits are valid for six months, and may also 
cross two calendar years. 
 
VII. All applications to import controlled substa nces, industrial hemp 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 Canada. 
 VIII. Import permits are issued on the basis of firs t-come, first-served, provided that the applicant 
(a licensed dealer) meets all of the prevailing pr iorities, i.e., security measures in place.  There 
is no maximum amount allocated per applicant.  Applications are examined for accuracy on 
receipt. 
 IX. Under Canadian law and the international est imate system of the INCB, the narcotic drugs 
and psychotropic substances (i.e . controlled substances) requiri ng import permits also require 
export permits issued by the competent authorities of the exporting country. 
 X. Not applicable.  XI. Import permits are only issued on condition th at the quantity of substances involved be 
exported and not sold on the Canadian market. 
 
7. (a) An applicant for a permit to import cont rolled substances – who is required to obtain a 
manufacturer’s or distributor’s licence for the speci fied drug – is usually issued within fifteen 
working days of receipt of the application.  It is effective immediately.  A precursor permit can take twenty days to be issued.  Import pe rmits cannot be issued for goods arriving at the 
port without a licence. 
 (b) All import permits are granted within fifteen to  twenty working days of receipt of a complete 
permit application if there is a legitimate medical  or scientific need, and physical security for 
safekeeping purposes. G/LIC/N/3/CAN/8 
Page 6  
 
   
(c) No. All Permits are valid for at least three months from the date of issue and none extends 
beyond 31 December of the year in which they were issued for controlled substances, for precursor chemicals permits are valid for six months, and may cover two calendar years.  
Permits issued in November are valid until 31 December only.   
 
(d) The Office of Controlled Substances (Health Ca nada) is the only authority an importer needs 
to contact. 
 8. An application for an import permit can be refused if a company is not licensed to conduct 
activities in Canada domestically, if the product is not currently on the licence, if the security 
provided would be inadequate, if there is an in sufficient quota remaining (for the narcotic drug and 
psychotropic substances), if there has been non-co mpliance with the Acts and Regulations by the 
importer or if there is reason to suspect that there will be diversion of the drug to an illicit market.  
Reasons are given for refusing permits.  Applicants ha ve a right to appeal a decision by providing us 
with a written notice supporting the proposed importation. 
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence
 
 
9. For controlled substances, industrial hemp a nd Class A precursor chemicals, eligibility to 
apply for import permits is limited to individuals or companies licensed to conduct regulated activities 
with these substances in Canada.  For Class B precu rsor chemicals registrations are issued for 
companies, and import permits for each individual shipment are not required.  A list of licensed  
companies is maintained and can be provided on requ est to licensed dealers.  There is no fee attached 
to the import permits.  However, a fee and other requirements apply to obtain the licence to conduct 
regulated activities with controlled substances domest ically.  There is no fee for a Class A precursor 
licence or a Class B precursor registration. 
 
Documentational and other requireme nts for application for a licence  
 
10. For controlled substances, industrial hemp  and Class A precursors, applicants (licensed 
dealers) must specify the name and quantity of  substance involved, the source and destination 
addresses, method of conveyance, and customs po rt of import.  For controlled substances and 
industrial hemp, the proposed use of the shipment is  also requested.  For Class A precursor chemicals, 
the proposed conveyance, date of import into Ca nada, and any countries of transhipment are also 
requested.  
11. Canadian import permits and in most case s export permits from the exporting (supplying) 
country.  12. No.  13. No. 
 
Conditions of licensing
 
 
14. Import permits for controlled substances are va lid for at least three months.  For precursor 
chemicals, import permits are valid for six months with no extension. 
 
15. No.  16. No.   G/LIC/N/3/CAN/8 
 Page 7 
 
 
  17. (a) If the illicit value exceeds CAN$4 million (str eet value), the Royal Canadian Mounted Police 
at the port of entry must be notified by the importer, 48 hours in advance of the drug’s expected time of arrival.  For these situati ons, a statement specifying this requirement is 
added to the permit.  Other conditions may apply in exceptional circumstances. 
 
(b) No. 
 
Other Procedural Requirements
 
 
18. No. 
 
19. No.  
II. NATURAL HEALTH PRODUCTS REGULATIONS 
Outline of system
 
 1. The importation into Canada of natural health products is subject to site licensing to ensure 
that imported substances m eet Canadian standards of safety, efficacy and quality.  The import of these 
products is covered by the Food a nd Drugs Act and its regulations, pa rticularly the Natural Health 
Products Regulations, which came into force 1 Janua ry 2004.  In addition to site licences permitting 
persons to manufacture, package, label or impor t a natural health product, product licences are 
required for the sale of each specific natural health product in Canada. 
 
Purpose and coverage of licensing
 
 
2. Prospective licensed importers of natural h ealth products (including vitamins and minerals; 
herbal remedies; homeopathic medicines; traditiona l medicines; probiotics; and other products like 
amino acids and essential fatty acids) must submit an application for a product licence.  3. The system applies to all natural health products from all countries.   4. The licensing is intended to ensure that im ported natural health products meet Canadian 
standards of safety, efficacy and quality. 
 5. The Food and Drugs Act and its Regulations  (particularly the Natural Health Products 
Regulations) require a site licence for the manufactur e, packaging, and labelling of natural health 
products, as well as for their import into Canada.  Procedures
 
 
6.(I-XI) Natural health products are not restrict ed as to the quantity or value of imports. 
 7. (a) At the time of importation, a site li cence for the importer and a product licence for each 
product must have been obt ained from Health Canada. 
 (b) Site and product licences are issued if a review of the application indicates that all 
requirements of the NHP Regulations have been  met. Applications for product licences that 
attest to a Natural Health Product Directorate (NHPD) monograph to support the safety and 
efficacy of the product are disposed of within 60 days. 
 G/LIC/N/3/CAN/8 
Page 8  
 
  (c) No, licences are not limited according to time of  year. Site licences must be renewed annually 
for the first 3 years, every other year for the next 6 years, and every third year after that; 
product licences are for an indefinite period. 
 (d) Health Canada considers all site and product licence applicati ons and is the only authority an 
importer needs to contact. 
 8. An application for a site or product licence can  be refused if it does not meet any of the 
eligibility criteria.  If either a site or product licen ce is refused, the applicant is notified with the 
reason for the refusal.  The applicant can request a review of the decision within 30 days of the 
issuance of a refusal notice.  The review is an administrative review by Health Canada.  A second 
refusal is final with no avenue for appeal.  
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence
 
 9. Any person, firm or institution is eligible to apply for a product licence. Applicants that do 
not have a Canadian address must provide the address of a representative in Canada.   
Documentational and other requireme nts for application for a licence
 
 
10. Applications for product licences must incl ude: name and address of the applicant or a 
representative in Canada; for each medicinal ingredie nt of the product, its proper name, quantity per 
dosage unit; its potency, a description of source material, and a statement indicating whether it is synthetically manufactured; a qualitative list of non- medicinal ingredients; each brand name under 
which the product is proposed to be sold; inform ation that supports the safety and efficacy of the 
product; the text of each label proposed to be used with the product; a copy of the specifications to 
which the product will comply; and an attestation that the imported product will be manufactured, 
packaged, labelled, imported, distributed and stored in accordance with the Good Manufacturing 
Practices set out in the Regulations.  11. No specific documents are required, however the importer must have a site licence and each 
product must have a product licence. The Health Pr oducts and Food Branch of Health Canada can 
confirm with NHPD that these have been issued. 
 12. There is no fee as the NHP Regulations are not cost recovered.  13. No deposit of advance payment is required for the issuance of a licence. 
 
Conditions of licensing
 
 
14. A product licence is valid for an indefinite period.  15. No penalty is imposed for n on-utilization of a product licence. 
 
16. A product licence is issued to a specific licen see. To change the name of the product licence 
holder a notification would be required.  17. Conditions attached to the issuance of a pr oduct licence concern the name and address of the 
licensee; the product number of the natural health  product; the authorized dosage form for the 
product; recommended route of administration of the product; recommended dose authorized for the product; recommended duration of use; authorized quantity, potency and source material of each 
medicinal ingredient; recommended use or purpo se of the product; and date of issuance. 
  G/LIC/N/3/CAN/8 
 Page 9 
 
 
  Other procedural requirements  
 
18. Importers of natural health  products must obtain a site licence specifying each building in 
which products will be stored, as well as a product li cence for each imported natural health product. 
 
19. Not applicable. 
III. EXPLOSIVES ACT  
Outline of system  
 
1. The importation of explosives is govern ed by the Explosives Act and Regulations 
administered by the Department of Natural Resour ces.  The legal definition of explosives includes 
blasting explosives, detonators, propellants, sporting and industria l cartridges, and all types of 
fireworks and pyrotechnic devices.  Before an  explosive may be imported into Canada or 
manufactured in 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 explosive and on its packaging 
and markings.  Samples are sometimes required for laboratory examination. Testing fees depend on 
the tests to be carried out and the number of samp les to be examined. This can vary from CAN$2108 
for one firework sample, CAN$1194 for ammunitio n, up to CAN$3000 for blasting explosives and 
accessories and up to CAN$16881 for ten fireworks samp les.  The criteria for authorization are based 
on the safety characteristics of the explosive substanc es or articles during handling, storage, transport 
and use, to confirm characteristics meet declared values and to confirm that the classification is in 
conformity with the recommendations of the Commi ttee 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 general permit issued for a specific quantity in one shipment, and an annual 
permit issued for unlimited shipments of authori zed explosives during a twelve-month period.  In 
addition, special permits may be issued for expl osives required for chemical analysis, scientific 
research, field testing and fireworks competitions or other special purposes. 
 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 amended by  1995 c.32 and the Explosives Regulations, 
C.P.C., c.599 as amended.  The system is a st atutory requirement which does not convey any 
administrative discretion and would require legislative approval to be abolished. 
 
Procedures
 
 
6. Not applicable.  
7. (a) The import permit is normally issued within twenty-four hours after receipt of the application 
if the explosive has been previously authorized  and facilities exist in Canada for the safe and 
secure storage of the quantity being imported.  Permits may be obtained in a shorter time but G/LIC/N/3/CAN/8 
Page 10  
 
  nevertheless should be on hand when a shipment arrives at Customs to prevent dangerous 
accumulations.  Naturally, delays 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 permit may be made. 
 (d) The importer need only approach the Explos ives Regulatory Division of the Department of 
Natural Resources.  No other administrative bodies are involved. 
 8. An application for an explosives importation pe rmit may only be refused for failure to meet 
safety 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 licence
 
 
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 Dangero us Goods Regulations 
relative to transport, of the explosive to be  imported may apply for an importation permit. 
 
Documentational and other require ments for application for licence  
 
10. The Form of application and permits to impor t explosives are available at:  http://www.nrcan-
rncan.gc.ca/mms-smm/expl-expl/pdf/fm13-eng.pdf . 
 
11. The importers Transmission Sc hedule (Form 16) is required to be  prepared in duplicate by the 
importer and presented to the Customs Officer at th e point of entry along w ith the Importation Permit 
(Form 14 for General, Form 17 for Annual) for ve rification and forwarding of one copy of the 
transmission schedule to the Explosives Branch  of the Department of Natural Resources. 
 
12. The present fee is CAN$160.00 for a Gene ral Importation Permit and CAN$160.00 plus 
CAN$20.00 for each 1,000 kilogram imported for an Annual Importation Permit.  13. Other than the fee, there is no deposit or a dvance payment associated w ith the issuance of an 
importation permit. 
 
Conditions of licensing
 
 
14. Explosives Importation Permits can be issued for a period of 12 months .  General Importation 
Permits are valid for one shipment while Annual Importation Permits are valid for any number of 
shipments. 
 
15. There is no penalty for the non-utilization of an explosives importation permit.  16. Permits are not transferable between im porters and only the products made by the 
manufacturer(s) specified in the permit may be imported. 
 
17. There are no conditions attached to the issu ance 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) li cence issued by the Explosives Regulations Division 
may be required.  Importation permit applican ts will be advised if this is the case.  G/LIC/N/3/CAN/8 
 Page 11 
 
 
  Other procedural requirements  
 
18-19. Persons not resident in Ca nada or not having a chief place of business in Canada are required 
to post a bond before being permitted to impor t explosives (Explosives Act Section 9 (2.1). 
IV. NUCLEAR SAFETY AND CONTROL ACT 
A. NUCLEAR SUBSTANCES AND PRESCRIBED EQUIPMENT AND INFORMATION  
Outline of system  
 
1. The Nuclear Safety and Control Act (1997, c.9)  came into force 31 May 2000. The legislation 
established a national nuclear regulatory authorit y, 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, possession and use of nuclear substances, and for the 
import and export of prescribed equipment and prescribed information (technology). Under this 
system, any person or organization proposing to possess or use nuclear substances in Canada, in 
excess of exempt quantities, must apply to the Co mmission, giving details of the nuclear substance 
and quantity requested, the proposed use, the fac ilities and protection equipment available and the 
experience of the user. When satis fied that the use will not impose an undue risk to health, safety, 
security and the environment, the Commission issues  a licence authorizing the applicant to possess 
and use the nuclear substance subject to any conditions which the Commission deems necessary. 
  In addition to obtaining this authorization to possess and use nuclear substances, any person 
or organization wishing to import a nuclear substance must obtain an import licence. Authority to 
import may be included in a licence to possess and use a nuclear substance, import of controlled nuclear substances requires an import license issued pursuant to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Import 
and Export Control Regulations (NNPIEC Regulati ons).  All controlled nuclear substances are 
prescribed as nuclear substances with  respect to the import and export of those substances. Similarly, 
licensing authorization is required to import contro lled nuclear equipment and information under the 
NNPIEC Regulations.  
Purpose and coverage of licensing
 
 
2. Section 26 of the Nuclear Safety and Control Act (NSCA) refers to the importation of nuclear 
substances, prescribed equipment and prescribed in formation. Under section 2 of the NSCA, nuclear 
substances include uranium, thorium, plutonium, deuterium, neptunium, their respective derivatives 
and compounds, radioactive isotopes of all elements , 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. Under CNSC regulations, prescribed equipm ent is that which is especially designed or 
prepared for the processing, use or production of special fissionable material; prescribed information 
is that which relates to such equipment.  3. This licensing system applies to nuclear s ubstances, prescribed equipment and information 
imported from all countries.  
4. In accordance with the CNSC’s mandate to re gulate the use of nuclear energy in Canada to 
prevent undue risk to health, safety, security and the environment, the import licence is intended to 
ensure that the nuclear substances, prescribed e quipment and prescribed information are destined for 
persons or organizations authori zed and equipped to use them safely. The licence also enables the 
CNSC to take actions with respect to any interna tional, bilateral or multilateral obligations that may 
be applicable, including those related to nuclear non-proliferation.  
 G/LIC/N/3/CAN/8 
Page 12  
 
   With respect to nuclear substances, each  licence will indicate the maximum allowable 
quantity or maximum quantity contained within a device for import, possession or use. There is, 
however, no restriction on the number of import licen ces which may be applied for. The same is true 
for licenses for the import of prescribed equipment and prescribed information. The purpose of the regulatory controls is to assure safety and complia nce with international obligations; licensing is not 
intended to otherwise restrict th e quantity or value of imports. 
 5. Import licensing is provided for by the Nuclear  Safety and Control Act and regulations made 
thereunder. Licensing procedures and the product  coverage of the licensing requirements are 
prescribed by regulation. The licensing system ca nnot be abolished without  the approval of the 
Canadian Parliament and the Governor-in-Council (Cabinet). 
 6. Quantity and value restrictions, beyond the restrictions contained in the individual import 
licence, do not apply to imports of nuclear s ubstances, prescribed equipment and prescribed 
information, except as may from time to tim e be determined by Government policy. 
 
7. (a) An import licence is normally issued within one month of receipt of the application but can be & (b) issued in a shorter time if necessary.  A license cannot be granted immediately upon request; a
 risk-informed assessment of an application submitted in compliance with the regulations is
 required prior to a licensing decision.  
(c) No. 
 (d) The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission is the only body authori zed to issue an import 
licence. Applications are made directly to the Commission.  The Commission has delegated 
the authority for making the licensing decision to a Designated Officer, pursuant to the 
NSCA. 
 8. The Designated Officer, acting on behalf of the Commission may refuse to issue a licence or 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 internati onal obligations to which Canada has agreed.  In such cases, the 
NSCA provides the applicant or, as appropriate the li censee, the right to be heard by the Commission. 
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence
 
 
9. All persons, firms and institu tions are eligible to apply for an import license.  However, 
nuclear substances may not be imported unless the app licant also holds a valid license issued by the 
CNSC for the possession and use of the nuclear substance being imported.  
Documentational and other require ments for application for licence
 
 
10. Information required on applications to im port a controlled nuclear substance, controlled 
nuclear equipment or controlled nuclear informa tion are specified in the NNPIEC Regulations, and 
includes: name and address of the 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; and the number 
of any license to possess the substance, equipment or  information.  A sample application form is 
available for reference in the Office of Interna tional Affairs, for reference on the CNSC website 
(www.nuclearsafety.gc.ca ).  
 11. Approved import licence or a copy thereof.   G/LIC/N/3/CAN/8 
 Page 13 
 
 
  12. No. 
 13. No.  
Conditions of licensing
 
 
14. The period of validity depends on the nature  of the import and is normally 1 year.  The 
validity of a licence may be extended th rough amendment upon written application. 
 15. No. 
 
16. No.  17. No.  Other procedural requirements
 
 
18. No.  19. Not applicable. 
V. NATIONAL ENERGY BOARD ACT 
A. N
ATURAL GAS 
Outline of system  
 
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 licen ces 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, th e application will be set down for a public  hearing.  No licence is effective 
until approved by the Governor-in-Council.  The i ssuance of an import order requires the approval of 
the Board and does not require a public hearing. 
 
Purposes and coverage of licensing  
 
2. Import authorization, in the form of licence or order, is required for a ll imports of natural gas 
in either gaseous or liquid state (see the definiti on of "gas" in the National Energy Board Act).  
Authorization from the 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 years.  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 origina ting in and coming from any country.  In practice, 
however, all imports of natural gas prior to 2009 have been 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, 
having regard to the equitable distribution of gas in Canada. G/LIC/N/3/CAN/8 
Page 14  
 
  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 and is not subjected to admini strative 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 by assessing the 
impact on Canadians of the proposed import, i.e., impact on gas industry and consumers, 
distribution of gas in Canada, etc. 
 
V. For processing license applications a public heari ng is required.  The le ngth of time to process 
a licence application is approximately four months  or longer.  Applications for orders can be 
approved very quickly.  Typical processing time  for emergency and short-term imports is 
48 hours, while processing time for long-term im port orders is two to six weeks or more. 
 
VI. In some cases, imports commence immediately upon issuance of the authorization, or, 
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.  However, licences for imports require the approval of the Governor-in-Council to take 
effect. 
 VIII.  Applications are examined on receipt.  Th ere is no allocation of import authorizations to 
applicants. 
 
IX. There are no applicable bilateral or multilate ral arrangements besides the Canada-U.S. Free 
Trade Agreement and the North American Free Trade Agreement. 
 X. The granting of import authorization w ould generally be cond itional 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 complex ity of the importation arrangement.  
 (b) An order can be granted very quickly by th e Board.  A licence requires 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 for 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 in terest.  An applicant, in the event of refusal to 
issue a licence, may resubmit his application to the National Energy Board 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.  
  G/LIC/N/3/CAN/8 
 Page 15 
 
 
  Eligibility of importers to apply for licence  
 
9. Any person is eligible to apply for an import license.    
Documentational and other require ments for application for licence
 
 
10. The National Energy Board must have regard to  all considerations that  appear to it to be 
relevant and shall have regard to the equitable distribution of gas in Canada.  The Governor-in-
Council may make regulations respecting the inform ation to be furnished by applicants and the 
procedures to be followed in applying for import author ization.  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 fo r a licence to import gas.  In addition, the National 
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 Nationa l 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 include 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 export 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, meteri ng and reporting, no additional administrative 
procedures are required.   19. Not applicable. 
 
 G/LIC/N/3/CAN/8 
Page 16  
 
  VI. EXPORT AND IMPORT PERMITS ACT 
A. 
GENERAL RESPONSES APPLICABLE TO DAIRY PRODUCTS ; CHICKEN , TURKEY AND EGGS ; 
BROILER HATCHING EGGS AND CHICKS ; BEEF AND VEAL ; MARGARINE ; PORK ; AND WHEAT 
AND BARLEY  
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 import controls  to a system 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 Export and Import Cont rols Bureau (EICB) of the Department of 
Foreign Affairs and International Trade in orde r to benefit from the lower rate of duty.  
Imports over the quota level, subject to highe r rates of duty, may enter under a General 
Import Permit.  For wheat, barley and their produc ts, the TRQ is administered on a first-come, 
first-served basis. 
 
Effective 1 August 1999, Canada established a TRQ for frozen pork imported from the EU as 
a result of the government's retaliation against th e EU due to the EU's refusal to implement 
the WTO dispute settlement findings regarding its  ban on imports of Canadian beef produced 
from cattle using growth hormones.  
Outline of system
 
 1. See VI. (B). 
 
Purpose and coverage of licensing
 
 
2-4. See Product Outline in VI. (B). 
 
5. Licensing is maintained through regulations under the Export and Import Permits Act, and in 
the case of frozen pork, pursuant to Subsections  53(2) and 79 of the Customs Tariff, under the 
European Union Surtax Order.  
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 import of which it is deemed  necessary to control for any of the following 
purposes, namely:  
- to ensure, in accordance with th e needs of Canada, the best possible supply and distribution of 
an article that is scarce in world markets or in Canada or is subject to government controls in 
the countries of origin or to allocation by inter-governmental arrangement;  
- to restrict, for the purpose of supporting a ny action taken under the Fa rm Products Marketing 
Agencies Act, the importation in any form of a like article to one produced or marketed in 
Canada the quantities of which are fi xed 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-operativ e Marketing 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 intergovernment al arrangement or commitment; and  G/LIC/N/3/CAN/8 
 Page 17 
 
 
  - where at any time it appears to the satisfacti on of the Governor-in-Council on a report of the 
Minister made pursuant to an inquiry ma de 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 impor ted or are likely to be imported into Canada 
at such prices, in such quantities and under su ch conditions as to cause or threaten serious 
injury to the production in Canada of like or  directly competitive goods, any goods of the 
same kind may, by order of the Governor-in-Co uncil, be included on the Import Control List 
in order to limit the importation of such goods to the extent and for the period that, in the 
opinion of the Governor-in-Council, is n ecessary to prevent or remedy the injury. 
 
 Once an item has been placed on the Import Contro l 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 eith er individual 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 ca n alter or amend the Export and Import Permits Act. 
 The Minister may also decide to allocate shar es 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 Outline in VI. (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 a pplicant may correct the application 
or request reconsideration, or the applicant ma y choose to pay the over-access tariff and import the 
goods under a General Import Permit, wh ich is automatically applicable. 
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence  
 
9. Any resident of Canada may apply for a permit.  Citizenship is not a criterion. 
 Documentational and other require ments for application for licence
 
 
10. The applicant is required to provide the in formation requested on the application for an 
import permit.  For certain products, additional inform ation and/or documentati on may be required, as 
indicated in the specific product group responses.  
11. See Product Outline in VI (B). 
 12. Any applicant may apply directly to the De partment of Foreign Affairs and International 
Trade in Ottawa for a permit, for which the asso ciated 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$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/8 
Page 18  
 
  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 permit has not been used, the importer may apply for its 
cancellation.    
15. There is no penalty for non-utilization of im port permits that are returned for cancellation. 
 16. Permits are not transferable between importers.  17. Under very particular circumstances, specia l conditions may be attached from time to time. 
 
Other procedural requirements
 
 
18. No.  19. Not applicable. 
B. 
OTHER RESPONSES – BY PRODUCT GROUPS  
1. Dairy Products 
Outline of system  
 
1. Dairy products remain on the Import Contro l List, established under the Export and Import 
Permits Act;  effective 1 January 1995, existing im port 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 products on the Import Control List and subject to individual import permit licensing 
are:  cheese of all types, butte r, ice cream, yoghurt, cream, condensed milk, powdered buttermilk, dry 
whey, natural milk constituents, and dairy-based  products falling within tariff item number 
1901.90.33.  This action was taken under the authorit y 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 originating in and imported from all countries. 
 4. This licensing system is used to implem ent 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:   G/LIC/N/3/CAN/8 
 Page 19 
 
 
  - The TRQ level for cheese  is 20,411.866 tonnes.  As a result of an agreement between Canada 
and the European Union (EU), not less than 66 per cent of the cheese TRQ is allocated to 
member states of the EU and the remaining 34 per cent is allocated to any other (non-EU) 
country in the world.  Current cheese TRQ a llocation holders who are active in the cheese 
trade have retained a quota, which is allocated on a yearly basis. 
 
- The TRQ for butter  is 3,274 tonnes.  As a result of an  agreement between Canada and New 
Zealand, there is a country reserve of 2,00 0 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 be nefit 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-utili zation; the remainder is allocated to ice 
cream distributors. 
 
- The TRQ level for yoghurt is 332 tonnes.  Trad itional yoghurt importers continue to receive 
an initial allocation, as adjusted, e.g., for unde r-utilization; the remainder is allocated to 
yoghurt distributors. 
 - The TRQ level for cream is 394 tonnes; allocati ons 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  applicants who can support their application by 
demonstrating that they have in place a di stribution line for this kind of product. 
 - The TRQ level for condensed milk is 11.7 tonnes, allocated on a yearly basis to a traditional 
allocation holder.  The TRQ for condensed m ilk is allocated entirely to Australia. 
 - The TRQ level for powdered buttermilk is 90 8 tonnes, allocated on a yearly basis to a 
traditional allocation holder.  The TRQ for powde red buttermilk 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 / produc tion formulations.  The balance, if any, is 
allocated to processors and further processors th at can demonstrate a requirement for whey in 
their manufacturing / production formulations. 
 
- The TRQ level for other products of natural milk  constituents is 4,345 to nnes.  Allocations are 
made in priority to users of milk protein c oncentrate 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 dem onstrate a requirement for other products of 
natural milk constituents in their ma nufacturing / product formulations.   
 
- The TRQ level for food preparations falli ng 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 fo rmulation containing products 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 request from the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade 
(DFAIT). G/LIC/N/3/CAN/8 
Page 20  
 
   
 Notices to Importers and additional informati on are also available on the DFAIT website at: 
http://www.international.gc.ca/controls-cont roles/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 (95 per cent for cheese, 
products of natural milk constituents, dry whey an d cream), the allocation in the next year will 
normally reflect the actual level of use.  Allocati on not used in any quota year is 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 Export and Import Controls 
Bureau of the Department of Foreign Affairs a nd International Trade 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 is not allowed in the next quota year. 
 
VIII. See the introduction to Section 6. 
 IX-X. Not applicable.  XI. Supplementary imports may also be authori zed for re-export or to meet domestic market 
shortages. 
 7. See Section 6.  8. See General Responses.  Eligibility of importers to apply for licence
 
 
9. See General Responses.  
Documentational and other require ments 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 Canadi an Dairy Products Act and Regulations. 
 
12. Any applicant may directly apply for a perm it 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 also be requested, by fax, from the Department of Foreign Affairs and 
International Trade in Ottawa for which the as sociated fees range from CAN$15.00 to CAN$31.00 
(according to the value of the goods).   13. No.   G/LIC/N/3/CAN/8 
 Page 21 
 
 
  Conditions of licensing  
 
14-17. See General Responses.  
Other procedural requirements
 
 
18-19. See General Responses.  
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.  Effectiv e 1 January 1995, existing import controls on these 
products were replaced with TRQs.  Purposes and coverage of licensing
 
 
2. Imports of chicken and chic ken products, turkey and turk ey 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) and (b) and S ections 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 products, and eggs a nd egg products in accordance with Canada's WTO commitments. 
 5. See General Responses.  
Procedures
 
 6. The TRQ level established for chicken a nd 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 chicken products 
equivalent to 7.5 per cent of the previous year's domestic production.  Conversion factors of 1:0.75 
apply in the case of live to eviscerated, and 2:1 in the case of boneless to eviscerated.   
 
The TRQ level for turkey and turkey products  established under the WTO is 5,588 tonnes 
(bone-in eviscerated equivalent basis).   Unde r 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 eviscerate d equivalent basis).  Conversion factors of 1:0.82 apply in the case of 
live to eviscerated, and 2:1 in the case of boneless to eviscerated. 
 
The TRQ level for eggs and egg products es tablished under the WTO is 21,370,000 dozen.  
Under the provisions of the NAFTA, Canada provid es a global TRQ for shell eggs and egg products 
of 2.988 per cent of the previous year's dome stic production.  It is split among shell eggs 
(1.647 per cent), frozen, liquid and further pro cessed eggs (0.714 per cent), and powdered 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. G/LIC/N/3/CAN/8 
Page 22  
 
  The basic procedure that applies to imports of chicken and chicken products, turkey and 
turkey products, and eggs and egg products, is th at 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 prod ucts, utilization of individual allocations by larger TRQ holders is 
limited to 30% per calendar year quarter, while shell egg allocations to larger TRQ holders are 
accompanied by an import schedule to help ensure th at imports coincide with periods of peak demand 
in Canada.  Applications for single-shipment perm its are made against these allocations at any time 
during the 30 days preceding the expected date of arrival of the shipment.  Supplementary import 
policies for these products are in place to accommoda te market shortages.  Supplementary imports 
may also be authorized for re-export.  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 the Departme nt of Foreign Affairs and International 
Trade (DFAIT). 
 
Notices to Importers and additional information are also available on the DFAIT website at: 
http://www.international.gc.ca/controls-cont roles/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 allocati on in the next year will normally reflect the 
actual level of use.  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 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 Export and Import Controls 
Bureau of the Department of Foreign Affairs a nd International Trade 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 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. 
  G/LIC/N/3/CAN/8 
 Page 23 
 
 
  Eligibility of importers to apply for licence  
 
9. See General Responses.  
Documentational and other requireme nts 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 perm it 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 also be requested, by fax, from the Department of Foreign Affairs and 
International Trade in Ottawa for which the as sociated 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. 
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 Janua ry 1995, existing import controls on these products 
were replaced with tariff rate quotas.  
Purposes and coverage of licensing
 
 2. In order to support action taken under the Fa rm Products Agencies Act, Broiler Hatching 
Eggs and Chicks were placed on the Import Contro l List.  "Chick" means a chick for chicken meat 
production hatched from 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 Act.  Individual import permits 
are required for each shipment of these products.  
3. The system applies to goods originating in and imported from all countries. 
 4. This licensing system is used to implemen t TRQs for broiler hatchi ng eggs and chicks in 
accordance with Canada's WTO commitments.  
5. See General Responses. 
 G/LIC/N/3/CAN/8 
Page 24  
 
  Procedures
 
 
6. The annual TRQ level established under 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 a nd 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 (3.7 per cent).  
Each chick is counted as 1.27 hatching eggs.  Ho lders of TRQ for hatching eggs may convert their 
allocation into TRQ for chicks, 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 ar e 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 the Departme nt of Foreign Affairs and International 
Trade (DFAIT). 
 
Notices to Importers and additional information are also available on the DFAIT website at: 
http://www.international.gc.ca/controls-cont roles/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 in the next 
year will normally reflect the actual level of u se.  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 Export and Import Controls 
Bureau of the Department of Foreign Affairs a nd International Trade 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 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. 
  G/LIC/N/3/CAN/8 
 Page 25 
 
 
  Eligibility of importers to apply for licence  
 
9. See General Responses.  
Documentational and other require ments 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 perm it 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 also be requested, by fax, from the Department of Foreign Affairs and 
International Trade in Ottawa for which the as sociated 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. 
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 commit ments, beef and veal were placed on the Import 
Control List.  This action was taken under the aut hority of Paragraph 5(1)(a) and Section 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 countri es except the United States, Mexico and Chile. 
 4. This licensing system is used to implemen t TRQs for beef and veal in accordance with 
Canada's WTO commitments. 
 5. See General Responses.  
Procedures
 
 
6. In keeping with its WTO commitments, Ca nada has established an annual TRQ level for 
imports of fresh, chilled and frozen beef and veal  from non-NAFTA countries of 76,409 tonnes.  Of G/LIC/N/3/CAN/8 
Page 26  
 
  this quantity, 29,600 tonnes are reserved for imports from New Zealand and 35,000 tonnes are 
reserved for imports from Australia. The balanc e of the TRQ, 11,809 tonnes (known as the MFN 
reserve) is reserved for imports from all other e ligible 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 the Departme nt of Foreign Affairs and International 
Trade (DFAIT). 
 
 Notices to Importers and additional informati on are also available on the DFAIT website at: 
http://www.international.gc.ca/controls-cont roles/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 u se.  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 Export and Import Controls 
Bureau of the Department of Foreign Affairs a nd International Trade 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 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 supplementary to the TRQ if he 
judges that the importation serves the ove rall 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 require ments 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.   G/LIC/N/3/CAN/8 
 Page 27 
 
 
  12. Any applicant may directly apply for a perm it 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 also be requested, by fax, from the Department of Foreign Affairs and 
International Trade in Ottawa for which the as sociated 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. 
5. Margarine 
Outline of system  
 
1. Effective 1 January 1995, margarine and butte r substitutes, excluding liquid margarines, were 
placed on the Import Control List established under the Export and Import Permits Act;  and the 
existing import 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 origina ting from Mexico (by vi rtue of NAFTA), from Chile (by virtue of 
the Canada-Chile FTA), and from Costa Rica (by virt ue of the Canada-Costa -Rica FTA) will continue 
to be assessed the “within access” rate of duty.   
 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 (excep t 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 the Departme nt of Foreign Affairs and International 
Trade (DFAIT). G/LIC/N/3/CAN/8 
Page 28  
 
   
 Notices to Importers and additional informati on are also available on the DFAIT website at: 
http://www.international.gc.ca/controls-cont roles/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 Export and Import Controls 
Bureau of the Department of Foreign Affairs a nd International Trade 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 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 ove rall 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 require ments for application for licence  
 
10. See General Responses.  
11. Documents required upon actual importati on are:  import permit and customs entry 
documents.  12. Any applicant may directly apply for a perm it 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 also be requested, by fax, from the Department of Foreign Affairs and 
International Trade in Ottawa for which the as sociated 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.  G/LIC/N/3/CAN/8 
 Page 29 
 
 
  Other procedural requirements  
 
18-19. See General Responses.  
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 E xport and Import Permits Act; and existing import 
controls on these products were re placed 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 Ac t and related regulations for import licences for 
wheat, barley and their products and replaced them with a system of TRQs.  This required placing 
them on the Import Control List under the authorit y of Paragraph 5(1) (a) and Section 5.3 of the 
Export and Import Permits Act.  3. The system applies to goods originating in  and 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 and Peruvi an wheat, barley, wheat products and barley 
products (pursuant to NAFTA, CCFTA, CCRFTA 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 tari ff item No. 1905.10.21, 1905.10.51, 1905.40.31, 
1905.40.61 and 1905.90.32;  
 (v) biscuits, waffles and wafers falling u nder 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 products - 19,131 tonnes (grain equivalent).  
There are no allocations to importers.  The TRQ is administered on a first-come, first-served basis 
from August 1 to July 31 each year. 
 G/LIC/N/3/CAN/8 
Page 30  
 
  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 the Departme nt of Foreign Affairs and International 
Trade (DFAIT). 
 
Notices to Importers and additional information are also available on the DFAIT website at: 
http://www.international.gc.ca/controls-cont roles/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 stat ed on the customs entry document.  When the 
TRQ level for any product is reached, a differe nt 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 authorize 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 require ments 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 perm it 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 also be requested, by fax, from the Department of Foreign Affairs and 
International Trade in Ottawa for which the as sociated fees range from CAN$15.00 to CAN$31.00 
(according to the value of the goods).   13. No. 
  G/LIC/N/3/CAN/8 
 Page 31 
 
 
  Conditions of licensing  
 
14-17. See General Responses.  
Other procedural requirements
 
 
18-19. See General Responses. 
7. Frozen Pork from the European Union 
Outline of system  
 1. Effective 1 August 1999, frozen pork under tariff item 0203.29.00  was added to Canada's 
Import Control List (ICL), pursuant to subsec tion 53(2) and section 79 of the Customs Tariff 
Regulations, under the European Union Surtax Order.  
Purposes and coverage of licensing
 
 
2. The establishment of a TRQ for frozen pork fro m the European Union (EU) in 1999 resulted 
from the government's retaliation against the EU due  to the EU's refusal to implement the WTO 
dispute settlement findings regardi ng its ban on imports of Canadian  beef produced from cattle using 
growth hormones.  
3. The system applies to goods originating from Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, 
Federal Republic of Germany, Greece, Ireland, Ital y, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, 
Sweden or the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.  4. This licensing system is used to impl ement the TRQ for frozen pork from the EU in 
accordance with the government's retaliation against the EU. 
 5. Frozen pork under tariff item 0203.29.00 was a dded to Canada's Import Control List (ICL), 
pursuant to subsection 53(2) and section 79 of th e Customs Tariff Regulations, under the European 
Union Surtax Order.  
See also General Responses. 
 
Procedures
 
 
6. The TRQ level is 2,970 tonnes.  There ar e no allocations to importers.  The TRQ is 
administered on a first-come, first-served basis, from 1 August to July 31 each year.  Permits are 
normally valid for 30 days but only within the given 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 the Departme nt of Foreign Affairs and International 
Trade (DFAIT). 
 
Notices to Importers and additional information are also available on the DFAIT website at: 
http://www.international.gc.ca/controls-cont roles/prod/agri/index.aspx?menu_id=3&menu=R
. 
 
II. See the introduction to Section 6. 
 III. Not applicable. G/LIC/N/3/CAN/8 
Page 32  
 
  IV. Individual import permits are required for each  shipment imported at the MFN rate of duty. 
When the TRQ level for frozen pork is reach ed, a surtax of 100% is applied for each 
importation. 
 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 Export and Import Controls 
Bureau of the Department of Foreign Affairs a nd International Trade 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 a nd 24 days after). Import permit validity is not 
extended beyond the 30-day validity period, and u tilization of permits for one quota year is 
not allowed in the next quota year. 
 VIII. The TRQ is administered on a first-come, first-served basis, whereby import permits are 
normally issued to importers on demand until the TRQ has been filled in a given year. See 
also the introduction to this Section. 
 IX-XI. Not applicable.  7. Not applicable.  
8. See General Responses. 
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence
 
 
9. See General Responses. 
 
Documentational and other require ments 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 perm it 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 also be requested, by fax, from the Department of Foreign Affairs and 
International Trade in Ottawa for which the as sociated 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.  G/LIC/N/3/CAN/8 
 Page 33 
 
 
  8. Clothing 
Outline of system  
 
1. Clothing is on the Import Control List, est ablished pursuant to the Export and Import Permits 
Act (EIPA).  Quantitative restraints (i.e., quotas) on imports of clothing and ha ndbags were eliminated 
for goods shipped after 31 December 2004 in accord ance with the WTO Agreement on Textiles and 
Clothing (ATC).  Individual import licensing or open general licensing requi rements 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 
American, Canada-Chile and Canada-Costa Rica Free Trade Agreements. 
 
Purposes and coverage of licensing  
 
2. Products on the Import Control List subject  to individual import permits for TPL are as 
follows: cotton or man-made fibre apparel and made -up goods; and, wool a pparel and made-up goods. 
 
3. The system applies to imports from Unit ed States, Mexico, Chile and Costa Rica. 
 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 th e 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 est ablished pursuant to the Free Trade Agreements. 
 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 clothing, 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-Costa Rica Free Trade Agre ement - Apparel goods: 1,379,570 SME. 
 - Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement - Cotton or man-made fibre a pparel 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 a pparel 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 is  administered on a first-come, first-served 
basis from 1 January to 31 December each year. 
 I. Information on TPL and related formalities ar e published in the Canada Gazette, Canada 
Border Services Agency (CBSA) D-Memora ndum and in Notices to Importers. This 
information is available to customs brokers, associations and traders and upon request from 
the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT). 
 G/LIC/N/3/CAN/8 
Page 34  
 
  Notices to Importers and additional informati on are also available on the DFAIT and CBSA 
websites at:  http://www.dfait-maeci.gc .ca/trade/eicb/textile/ textiles-en.asp
 http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/E/pub/ cm/d11-4-22/d11-4-22-e.html . 
 II. See the introduction to Section 6. 
 
III. TPL not used in one year is not available for carry-over in the following year.  IV. Applications for TPL permits are accepted un til the TPL level for a given TPL type 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 Export and Import Controls 
Bureau of the Department of Foreign Affairs a nd International Trade 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 a nd 24 days after). Utilization of permits for one 
quota year is not allowed in the next quota year. 
 VIII. TPL is made available on a first-come, first-served basis, whereby import permits are issued 
to importers on demand until the TPL 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 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 Export and Import Controls 
Bureau, Department of Foreign A ffairs and International Trade. 
 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 info rmation 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 permit.   
 
Documentational and other require ments 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:  h ttp://www.international.gc.ca/controls-
controles/assets/pdfs/forms/documents/EXT1466.pdf       http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/E/pub/cm/d11-4-
22/d11-4-22-e.html  . 
 11. Import permits and normal customs entry forms are required.   G/LIC/N/3/CAN/8 
 Page 35 
 
 
  12. Any applicant may directly apply for a permit via customs brokers with access to the Export 
and Import Controls System.  Import permit fees ra nge 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.  Import permits may also be requested, by  fax, from the Department of Foreign Affairs and 
International Trade in Ottawa for which the as sociated 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.  Should the permit expire, the cance llation and subsequent 
issuance of a replacement permit may be completed upon request.  15. No. 
 
16. Licences are not transferable.  17. (a) No.  (b) No. 
 
Other procedural requirements
 
 
18. No.  
19. Import permits issued pursuant to the Expor t and Import Permits Act are not a condition of 
foreign exchange transactions. 
9. 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 genera l licensing requirements for such goods were 
eliminated on 1 April 2005. An import licensing sy stem remains in place for textiles shipped in 
connection with Tariff Preference Level (TPL) provisions established pursuant to the North 
American, Canada-Chile and Canada-Costa Rica Free Trade Agreements.   
 
Purposes and coverage of licensing  
 
2. Products on the Import Control List subject  to individual import permits for TPL are as 
follows: cotton or man-made fibre fabrics and made-up goods; wool fabr ics and made-up goods 
(Chile and Costa Rica only);  and, cotton or man-made fibre spun yarns. 
 3. The system applies to imports from Unit ed States, Mexico, Chile and Costa Rica. 
 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 th e Most-Favoured-Nation rate of G/LIC/N/3/CAN/8 
Page 36  
 
  duty.  The import licensing system is in place in order to implement quantitative import limits on 
goods shipped in connection with TPL provisions est ablished pursuant to the Free Trade Agreements. 
 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 textiles, on the Import Control List. 
 
Procedures
 
 
6.  The TPL levels primary units of measure (oth er than for yarns) 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-Costa Rica Free Trade Agreement - Co tton or man-made fabr ics 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: 150,000 kg. 
 - Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement - Co tton 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: Cotton or man-made fabrics and made-
up goods: 2,000,000 SME; and Cotton or man-ma de 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 TPL is administered on a first-come, first-served 
basis from 1 January to 31 December each year. 
 I. Information on TPLs and related formalities are published in the Canada Gazette, Canada 
Border Services Agency (CBSA) D-Memora ndum and in Notices to Importers.  This 
information is available to customs brokers, associations and traders and upon request from 
the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT). 
 
Notices to Importers and additional informati on are also available on the DFAIT and CBSA 
websites at:  http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/trade/ eicb/textile/ textiles-en .asp http://www.cbsa-
asfc.gc.ca/E/pub/cm/d11-4-22/d11-4-22-e.html . 
 
II. See the introduction to Section 6.  III. TPL not used in one year is not available for carry-over in the following year.  IV. Applications for TPL permits are accepted un til the TPL level for a given TPL type 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 Export and Import Controls 
Bureau of the Department of Foreign Affairs a nd International Trade 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 a nd 24 days after). Utilization of permits for one 
quota year is not allowed in the next quota year. 
  G/LIC/N/3/CAN/8 
 Page 37 
 
 
  VIII. TPL is made available on a first-come, first-served basis, whereby import permits are issued 
to importers on demand until the TPL has been filled in a given year. 
 IX-X. Not applicable. XI. No. 
 
7. (a) An import permit is required for each shipme nt of textiles for which a TPL 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 Export and Import Controls 
Bureau, Department of Foreign A ffairs and International Trade. 
 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 info rmation 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 require ments 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:  h ttp://www.international.gc.ca/controls-
controles/assets/pdfs/forms/documents/EXT1466.pdf      http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/E/pub/cm/d11-4-
22/d11-4-22-e.html   . 
 
 
11. Import permits and normal customs entry forms are required.  12. Any applicant may directly apply for a perm it 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 also be requested, by fax, from the Department of Foreign Affairs and 
International Trade in Ottawa for which the as sociated 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 ex tended for a further 30 days if the request for 
extension is submitted prior to expiry. 
 15. No.  16. Licences are not transferable. G/LIC/N/3/CAN/8 
Page 38  
 
  17. (a) No. 
 (b) No.  
Other procedural requirements
 
 
18. No.  19. Import permits issued pursuant to the Expor t and Import Permits Act are not a condition of 
foreign exchange transactions. 
10. 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 individual and general licensing. 
 
Purposes and coverage of licensing  
 
2. Carbon steel products were placed on the Import Control List 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 informat ion 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 shapes 
and units and pipe and tube. Specialty steel pr oducts were added to the Import Control List 
1 June 1987, following an amendment to the Expor t 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 th e quantity or value of imports:  it is intended to 
monitor the volume and the origin of carbon and specialty steel products.  
5. The action of 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. An import permit is required for each shipment of carbon and specialty steel as described in 
paragraph 2 above.  Applications fo r permits may be made up to 30 days  prior to the expected date of 
arrival of the associated goods.  Licences are gran ted automatically upon submission of a completed 
application in accordance with the Act.  There are no limitations as to the period of the year during 
which applications and/or importati on may be made.  Licence applications are considered by only one 
organization, the Export and Import Permits Bureau, Department of Fo reign Affairs and International 
Trade.  G/LIC/N/3/CAN/8 
 Page 39 
 
 
   
The following exceptions for any carbon or sp ecialty steel product may be imported under 
general licensing:  
(i) where the total value for duty of the goods , as determined under  the Customs Act, is 
not more than CAN$5,000.00; and  
 
(ii) where those goods are classified as Ca nadian goods returned without any processing 
abroad. 
 
8. See Section 7. 
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence
 
 
9. Any resident of Canada ma y apply for an import permit. 
 
Documentational and other require ments for application for licence  
 
10. Nil.  11. Documents required upon actual importation: 
 
(i) import licence; and 
 
(ii) documents in accordance with the Customs Act. 
 
12. Any applicant may directly apply for a perm it 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 also be requested, by fax, from the Department of Foreign Affairs and 
International Trade in Ottawa for which the as sociated 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 Section 6.  
Other procedural requirements
 
 
18. No. 
 
19. Not applicable. G/LIC/N/3/CAN/8 
Page 40  
 
  VII. ANIMALS AND PLANTS 
A. 
PLANT PROTECTION ACT  
Outline of system  
 
1.  A permit to import outlines phytosanitary cond itions which must be met prior to export from 
the country of origin, during export and upon arriva l in Canada.  These conditions are required to 
prevent the introduction or spread within Canada of a plant pest.    
Purpose and coverage of licensing
 
 2. In accordance with 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 of the Plant Protection Regulations, the Minister, on the basis of a pest risk assessment, may issue a permit for the importation of a plant pest, plants and plant products that are or could be infested with a plant pest or constitute or could c onstitute a biological obstacle to the control of a plant 
pest if, the Minister determines that every precau tion necessary can and will be taken to prevent the 
introduction into Canada or the spread with Canada of  a pest or biological obstacle to the control of a 
pest.  3. The system applies to plant pest (e.g., di sease cultures, insects), plants and plant products 
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 p est, plants and plant prod ucts imported in Canada 
conform to Canada's plant protection import require ments.  The permit system protects against the 
introduction and spread of pests injurious to plants in Canada. 
 
5. The permit system is legislated and regulat ed under the Plant Protection Act and the Plant 
Protection Regulations.  The permit system is statut orily required.  Furthermore, the legislation does 
not allow the designation of products to be subjected  to administrative discretion. Lastly, it is not 
possible for the government to abolish the system without legislative approval.  Procedures
 
 
6. There are no quantitative or value limits on th e 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-m ailed or faxed to the Integration Division of the Canadian 
Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). Once all re quired information has been received and a 
review of the permit application form has been completed, the CFIA will endeavour to issue a 
Permit to Import within five working days (subject to change). 
  The Canadian Food Inspection Agency will not issue an import permit for regulated 
commodities that have already arrived in Cana da.  This is because an import permit is not 
retroactive. 
(b) No.  An application cannot be granted imme diately upon request as it must 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.  G/LIC/N/3/CAN/8 
 Page 41 
 
 
  (d) Yes.  All applications for a permit to import are sent to and approved by one administrative 
body.  All applications are sent to the Perm it Office, Plant Program Integration Division, 
Plant Health and Biosecurity Directorate of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. 
 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 introduction 
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 importe r 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 / 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 person authorized under the la ws of Canada to reside in Canada for a period 
of six months or more and who will have possession, car e 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 must 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 
application. 
 
Documentational and other requirements fo r application for a permit to import  
 
10. An application for a permit shall be in wr iting, signed and dated by the person applying for 
the permit and contain the following information: 
 (a) the name, complete address a nd 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 means by which the thing will be transported; 
 (i) the country and place where the thing was pr opagated or produced, and the country and place 
from which it was shipped to Canada; 
(j) the number of packages, if sent by mail or courier service; and 
 
(k) any other information respecting any activity undertaken in respect of the thing, or the 
precautions that will be taken to prevent the spread ing of any pest or biological obstacle to the 
control of a pest while the thing is transported, as the Minister may require. G/LIC/N/3/CAN/8 
Page 42  
 
  11. The documents (e.g., phytosanitary certificate, 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 ra nge between CAN$10 a nd 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 requi red before a permit can be issued. 
 Conditions of permit
 
 
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 unlimite d 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 tran sferable 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 administra tive procedures apart from the import permit 
application procedures.  19. Not applicable. 
B. H
EALTH OF ANIMALS ACT  
Outline of system  
 
1. For importation from countries other than the U. S., a permit is required for all animals (except 
pet dogs and domesticated cats, reptiles [except tur tles and their eggs], amphibians, semen (except 
canine), embryos, veterinary biologics, and certain  animal products and by -products depending on the 
species and country of origin.  For importation fro m the U.S., a permit is required for the following:  
semen (except for equine and canine), embryos, vete rinary biologics, psittacine birds other than pet 
birds, turtles, tortoises, skunks, foxes and racc oons, some ruminants and swine, honeybees., dogs 
(commercial shipments and for research) and ce rtain other animal products and by-products 
dependent on species.  
Purpose and coverage of licensing
 
 
2. See No.1 above. 
3. Imports are permitted only from countries whic h are free of serious animal diseases which 
may affect the species of animal or bird importe d.  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. 
  G/LIC/N/3/CAN/8 
 Page 43 
 
 
  4. The permit system is intended to ensure that  all items identified in No.1 are imported in 
conformity with Canada's sanitary health regula tions to protect against the introduction of diseases 
into Canada.  Decisions are made following a risk assessment process.  5. The Health of Animals Act and Regulations  thereunder.  Goods, products and animals 
requiring permits are specified (see No.1).  Th ere 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 animal s, animal semen, or animal pr oducts, an import permit must be 
issued prior to the importation and the perm it describes the conditions of importation as it 
relates to health certification.  On arrival at the port of entry in Canada: 
 
 (i) live animals receive veterinary inspect ion and the accompanying permit and health 
certification are inspected to assure that import requirements are met, and 
 (ii) in the case of animal semen and animal  products, the permit and health certification 
are checked; product inspection occurs at designated receiving centres inland 
 (iii) some animals require post-import quarantine. 
 
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 require an 
additional permit from Environment Canada. 
 8. We do refuse to issue import permits on some occasions.  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 satisfactor y disease diagnosis capability or disease control 
organization, a permit may not be issued. 
 (c) CFIA in consultation and in response to concer ns of Health Canada has agreed to refuse to 
issue import permits for certain species of animals because of the risk of zoonosies or 
communicable diseases common to human and animals. 
 (d) Commercial importers of veterinary biologi cs must be approved by the foreign company 
manufacturing the products and also must have acceptable facilities and procedures to meet 
the CFIA’s import conditions, such as mainta ining the cold chain and reporting adverse 
events. 
 G/LIC/N/3/CAN/8 
Page 44  
 
  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 satis fy the import permit conditions. 
 Documentational and other requirements fo r application for a permit to import
 
 
10. Application must be made in writing on the appropriate application form, and must specify the species, quantities, date of arrival, country of origin and purposes of import.  
11. In addition to the Permit to Import Animals and the normal customs invoices, a certificate of 
health issued by the veterinary services of th e country of origin must normally accompany the 
shipment. A customs document is also needed. So me form of animal identification is normally 
required.  
12. Yes.  See CFIA Fees notice at:   
 http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/reg/ cfiaacia/feesfrais/feesfraise.shtml
. 
 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. Varies from 
single entry shipment to multiple shipments over a one year period.   15. No. 
 
16. No.  17. See No. 6.  
Other procedural requirements
 
 
18. Pre-import quarantine and testing may be required.  19. Not applicable. 
C. F
ISH INSPECTION ACT  
Outline of system  
 
1. Other than for personal consumption or persona l use as trade samples, the importation of all 
fish and fish products into Canada as food for hum an 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 an d its Regulations contain requirements for 
wholesomeness, labelling, packaging, grading and human health and safety.   
 
Purposes and coverage of licensing  
1. See no.1 above.  G/LIC/N/3/CAN/8 
 Page 45 
 
 
  2. 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 of 
specific countries that are approved to export liv e or raw molluscan shellfish is available at: 
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/ anima/fispoi/import/molimpe.shtml . 
 
 Other non-quantitative restrictions exist for the import of certain species.  For example, the 
importation of live freshwater mitten crab (genus Erio cheir) or puffer fish (family Tetraodontidae) is 
not permitted under the Fish Inspection Regulations2.  
 3. The purpose of licensing is to ensure that importers implement eff ective controls which 
provide reasonable assurance that the fish that they  import are safe and meet Canadian standards for 
wholesomeness, labelling, packaging, grading and health and safety.   4. The authorization of imports is 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 discretion with 
respect to the products subject to licensing.  Legisla tive approval would be requir ed in order to abolish 
elements of the import system described in th e Fish Inspection Regulations.  Any person or 
organization who wishes to import fish or fish produc ts into Canada, for sale or distribution for human 
consumption, must first obtain an import licence fro m a CFIA office.  Fish for personal consumption 
and personal use as trade samples are exempt from these requirements. 
 
Procedures
 
5. There are no quantitative or value restrictions. 
 6. Where there is no quantitative limit on impor tation of a product or on imports from a 
particular country: 
 
7.(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 CFIA to: review and 
accept the application for a Fish Import Licence, review and accept the Fish Import Licence 
Record Keeping Requirements Submission, for licence renewals, review the importer’s 
compliance record, process the import licensing f ee and process the credit application.  The 
licence becomes effective on the date it is issu ed and expires one year following the date it 
was issued. 
 (b) See response to part (a). 
 
(c) There are no limitations regarding the time of  year during which an application can be made. 
 (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” pro cess. The office receiving the application 
coordinates the submission with other CFIA sections. 
 
8. The Fish Inspections Regulations allow for th e CFIA to refuse to grant (or renew) a Fish 
Import Licence under certain conditions 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 comply with the Fish 
                                                     
 
2 Canadian Food Inspection Agency Guide to Importing Food Products Commercially  (accessed at 
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/e nglish/fssa/imp/guide1e.shtml ).  G/LIC/N/3/CAN/8 
Page 46  
 
  Inspection Act or Regulations (e.g. providing fal se information, non-notification of imports, a poor 
history of compliance).  The applicant should be prov ided 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 criteria is eligible to apply for a Fish Import Licence.  
 
Documentational and other require ments for application for licence  
10. To hold a fish import licence, importers must maintain specific record s, for no less than 3 
years, at an address in Canada.  The fish import licence application form and application for credit 
which must accompany the import licence application can be found online:   Fish import licence application form:     http://www.inspection.gc.ca/eng lish/anima/fispoi/import/appdem.pdf
. 
 
 Application for credit which must accompany import licence application  http://www.inspection.gc.ca/ english/for/pdf/c0015e.pdf
. 
  Importers must notify the closest CFIA fish  inspection office in writing using the Import 
Notification Form prior to the importation of a product, or within 48 hours following importation.  
Notification must include the product type (inc luding species and processing information), the 
quantity, production type (wild vs . farmed), country of harvest, the name and address of the producer, 
storage conditions (for refrigerated products, the sh elf-life as well), packaging type for canned or 
refrigerated products with a long shelf-life, and th e storage location of each product contained in a 
shipment each time they import fish.   
 
11. Each written notification of importation must include the production codes for all canned and 
ready-to-eat fish (first-time imports of these pr oducts 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 processed and will remain safe for its entire shelf-life). An approved 
fish import license or copy thereof is also required up on actual importation.   Failure to provide proper 
written notification for each imported shipment ma y result in enforcement action by CFIA.   
 12. The fee for a Fish Import Licence is CAN$500.  Importers may apply for a voluntary program where they have additional responsibility for samp ling and testing.  The fee for this Quality 
Management Program for Importers (QMPI) licen ce is CAN$5000. CFIA Inspection service fees 
reflect the resources needed to inspect different product types and are applied based on the declared 
weight and type of product (as descr ibed on the Import Notification Form). 
 13. Importers are responsible to pay service fees as a condition of holding a fish import licence.  
The importer applies for credit account 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 advanced payment associated  with the issuance of 
import licence.   G/LIC/N/3/CAN/8 
 Page 47 
 
 
  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.  D. C
ANADA AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS ACT 
Outline of system  
1. The Licensing and Arbitration Regulations (L &A Regulations) of the Canada Agricultural 
Products Act covers fresh fruits and vegetables. The legislation is intended to  ensure that imported 
and domestic products mentioned meet Canadian standards for safety, quality, packaging and 
labelling. 
 
 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 d ealers 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 
exempt from the L&A Regulations. The FFVDRC is a private corporation established in 2000 under 
the auspices of the NAFTA, who se members must comply with industry-developed fair trade 
standards.    4. The licensing system is not intended to restri ct the quantity or 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 other 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 G/LIC/N/3/CAN/8 
Page 48  
 
  administrative discretion. Dealers of products consid ered fresh fruits and vegetables are required to be 
licensed.  It would require legislative approval to abolish the fresh fruit and vegetable licence system.   
 
Procedures
 
6. These products are not restricted as to the quantity or value of imports. 
 
7. (a)  Currently, the CFIA’s time standard fo r 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 co mpany may apply for a Federal Produce License. 
 
(d) CFIA  is the only administrative body to asse ss a CFIA Produce Licence application. 
 
8. When assessing a dealer for a licence, refusal would be based on the regulatory requirements 
and responsibilities not being met (as per the app lication documentation or through a complaint 
received by the CFIA).  The Licensing and Arbitr ation 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 li cence was refused, the applicant would be made 
aware of the reason(s) for the refusal. The CFIA polic y 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 Regulations.  
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence  
 9. Any person or company is eligible to ap ply for a licence to import fresh produce.   
 
Documentational and other require ments 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 r esponsibility, a description of the type of business 
and products the company will be importing, and an swer questions pertaini ng 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 CF IA with a copy of the documents listed below: 
 
- A
 lease agreement for any facilities rented; 
- Incorporation papers, if the applicant is a corporation; and - A letter of reference from a financial institu tion where they have recently done business. 
 
11. Imported fresh produce 
must be accompanied by a Confirmation of Sale form. 
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/ english/for/pdf/c3885e.pdf . 
  In the case of apples, onions, and potatoes, ther e 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.   G/LIC/N/3/CAN/8 
 Page 49 
 
 
   The CFIA recognizes the USDA certificates fo r apples, onions and potatoes as well as 
inspection certificates for apples prepared by the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. 
 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)  13. There  is no deposit or advance payment required for a fresh produce licence.  A bond may be 
a prerequisite, if it is deemed to be a requirement. 
 
Conditions of licensing
 
 
14. A fresh Produce Licence is valid for 12 m onths. 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 for non-utilization of licence. 
 16. Licences are not transferable.  
17. If a condition exists where a suspension or can cellation 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, this 
could be for products with Plant Protection requirements.   
 19. Not applicable.  
E. 
ENDANGERED SPECIES  
Outline of system  
 
1. By virtue of the Convention on Internationa l Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and 
Flora, of which Canada is a member, specimens of  such species and their by-products are listed on 
Schedule I established under the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regul ation of International 
and Interprovincial Trade Act (WAPPRIITA) and su bject to licensing. Species which may be harmful 
to Canadian ecosystems if ever released to th e wild, are listed in Schedule II of WAPPRIITA 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 speci mens and by-products of species classified as 
endangered or harmful to Canadian ecosystems; 
 
(b) to establish a system of monitoring on speci mens and by-products su sceptible to becoming 
endangered through the mechanism of back-to-back licensing; and G/LIC/N/3/CAN/8 
Page 50  
 
   
(c) to allow individual countries to exerci se surveillance on importation in other countries 
specimens and by-products of species which are considered endangered by the exporting 
country only. 
 
3. The system applies to endangered species or iginating in and exported from all countries. 
 4. The purpose of the licensing system is to allow importation in endangered species and their 
by-products in internationally agr eed circumstances and, in the case of species in Schedule II, where 
there are sufficient safeguards and secu rity to prevent escapes to the wild. 
 
5. - Licensing is effected by regulations made under the WAPPRIITA.  
- Individual products are not designated in the Act. 
 
- Endangered species were placed in Schedules I and II, established by the Governor-
in-Council to implement an intergovernme ntal arrangement or commitment (see 
General Responses). 
 
Procedures
 
 6. I. Information as to the formalities for comply ing with the requirements of this control is 
published in the Canada Gazette, in press release s and in Notices to Importers distributed to 
associations and traders and, in addition, ava ilable upon request from the Department of the 
Environment. 
 
 - Not applicable. 
 - Not applicable.  - Not applicable.  
Questions II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X and XI are not applicable. 
 
7. (a) Individual import permits can be applied for at least 60 days prior to the expected date of 
arrival and are not granted retrospectively. 
 (b) An individual import permit is normally grante d after a review period of 2-6 weeks provided 
the criteria for issuing a permit are met. 
 
(c) Not applicable. 
 - Not applicable. 
 (d) Permit applications are processed by the CI TES Management Authority of the Department of 
Environment Canada. 
 8. If the criteria have not been met, the applicant will be informed.  In su ch event, the applicant 
may request reconsideration by providing new information.  
9. Citizenship and residency are not criteria.  G/LIC/N/3/CAN/8 
 Page 51 
 
 
  Documentational and other require ments for application for licence  
 
10. The importer is required to provide all the information requested under the Convention, the 
Act and regulations depending on the ty pe of species he intends to import. 
 
- Not applicable. 
 - As stated above.  
CITES documents issued by the appropriate CITES authorities in the country of origin or in 
any subsequent re-exporting country, must accompany all applications.  Products arriving in Canada 
without a duly authentic CITES export permit will not be cleared by Canada Customs and are subject 
to seizure.  11. Documents as in the response to Question 10; and the customs entry forms are required. 
12. No fees. 
 13. N/A  
Conditions of licensing
 
 14. CITES import permits are valid for 6 months fro m the date of issue.  The period of validity 
may be extended by the issu ance of a replacement permit. 
 15. No  
16. No 
 17. No  
Other procedural requirements
 
 18. No. 
 19. Not applicable.  
__________