Import Permits

To Whom Does This Apply?

Summary

The Export and Import Controls Bureau (EICB) is responsible for administering the EIPA. The EIPA delegates to the Minister of International Trade Canada (ITCan) wide discretionary powers to control the flow of goods contained in specified lists provided for under the Act. The Import Permit Regulations establish procedures for obtaining import permits.

Controlled Goods

The EIPA provides that the Governor-in-Council may establish the Import Control List (ICL), the Export Control List (ECL) and the Area Control List (ACL)* . The ICL and ECL are lists of goods, some of which are controlled for certain countries of origin (ICL) or destination (ECL) only. All goods contained in these two lists require a permit. The goods on the ICL and ECL currently includes the following types of products:

• agricultural products;
• steel; and
• weapons and munitions.

An export permit is required to export any goods to countries on the Area Control List (ACL). As of February 2005, only Myanmar (Burma) is on the ACL.

Individual and General Permits

Each shipment of controlled products requires an import permit upon entry into Canada. The permit is required by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) at the time of importation. Importers must also comply with other applicable rules and requirements, including those administered by the CBSA.

For certain controlled products, importers may either present an import permit issued to their firm for that shipment (i.e. a specific import permit) or may invoke a general import permit. Those invoking a general import permit will normally (e.g. there are provisions for the importation of a small quantities of controlled products at the low rate of duty for personal consumption) be subject to a higher rate of duty. A specific import permit may be issued when a completed application is received and presented to EICB. Those using a specific import permit may be subject to a lower rate of duty. They must ensure that their brokers have received a specific import permit for each shipment by the time of the importation, as specific import permits will not be issued for shipments already imported into Canada under the authority of the General Import Permit. The specific import permit must also be presented to CBSA at the time of accounting for the shipment to be eligible for the lower rate of duty.

Advice and Assistance in Obtaining an Import Permit

To determine whether the goods you wish to import require a permit, please visit the EICB Web site or contact the bureau by telephone, letter or facsimile and clearly describe the goods in question, their country of origin and their final and intermediate destinations.

Fees for Permits

A modest fee is charged for most permits, as a cost recovery measure. Detailed information concerning permit fees is included in the Notice to Importers/Exporters.

*Note: To download publications in PDF format, Adobe Acrobat Reader is required (available free of charge).

DISCLAIMER
Information contained in this section is of a general nature only and is not intended to constitute advice for any specific fact situation. For particular questions, the users are invited to contact their lawyer. For additional information, see contact(s) listed below.

Ontario Contact(s):
See National Contact.