1.0 Purpose
1.1 The purpose of this Notice is to:
a) amend the policy on under-utilization of export level allocations; and
b) advise quota holders that, if they wish to return quota, this can be done at any time up to March 31, but they are encouraged to advise the EICB sooner, if possible.
1.2 This Notice replaces paragraph 11.7 of Notice to Exporters no. 94 dated October 31, 1996 and Notice to Exporters no. 130 dated November 24, 2000.
1.3 This Notice shall remain valid until further notice.
2.0 Under-Utilization of Export Level
2.1 As previously notified, a softwood lumber exporter who foresees under-utilizing its export level allocation in a given year covered by the Softwood Lumber Agreement, may elect to return any portion of the exporter's established base (EB) and lower fee base (LFB) and re-priced lower fee base (RFB) allocation, up to a specified maximum of the exporter's initial allocation by notifying the Export and Import Controls Bureau (EICB), in writing, by December 31 in the affected year allocation.
2.2 As notified in Notice to Exporters no. 130 dated November 24, 2000, allocation holders from all provinces, in Year 5 of the Softwood Lumber Agreement (April 1, 2000 - March 31, 2001) could have returned up to a maximum of 10% of their initial EB allocation by December 31, 2000. In addition, allocation holders for lumber first manufactured in Alberta, Ontario and Quebec could have returned up to a maximum of 25% of their initial LFB allocation while exporters with an LFB and/or RFB allocation for lumber first manufactured in B.C. could have returned up to a total of 25% of its B.C. origin LFB and/or RFB allocation by December 31, 2000.
2.3 Allocation holders from all provinces may return any portion of their initial EB, LFB or RFB allocations by notifying the EICB in writing, by March 31, 2001.
3.0 Notice of Return
3.1 When an exporter gives notice of return of a portion of its export level allocation, the exporter must provide the folowing information no later than March 31, 2001:
- the exporter EICB number;
- the amounts being returned, by category
(EB, LFB, RFB); and
- if the exporter is a remanufacturer with export level allocations from more than one province, the exporter must identify the account(s) for which the exporter wishes to return a portion or portions of export level.
3.2 While exporters have until March 31, 2001 to give notice of a return, exporters are encouraged to advise the EICB earlier, if possible.
3.3 Companies wishing to return portions of their allocation may do so either by fax or by mail at the co-ordinates below.
4.0 Further Information
For further information please contact Sue Mitchell, Softwood Lumber Division (EPS), Export and Import Controls Bureau, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade by telephone at (613) 944-1911 or in writing at:
Mailing address:
P.O. Box 481, Station A
Ottawa ON K1N 9K6
Courrier address:
Tower C, 4th Floor
Lester B. Pearson Bldg
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa ON K1A 0G2
E-mail address: extott*eps@dfait-maeci.gc.ca
Telephone: (613) 944-2167 (Hot line)
Facsimile: (613) 944-2170
Web Page: ../softwood/menu-en.asp
Our Service Goals
We are here to administer the Export and Import Permits Act (the EIPA). To this end, we issue permits according to the discretion the EIPA gives to the Minister, which is normally exercised within certain general requirements that the Minister has formulated, in consideration of public and especially industry views, and stated in Notices to Importers and Notices to Exporters. These requirements represent a careful balance of interests, and although they do not bind the Minister, you should know that they guide us in our approach to requests that fall outside them.
To do our job of issuing permits effectively, we have established a set of service goals that we will endeavour to meet in our contacts with the Canadian public - including Canadian importers and exporters and their agents. In carrying out this responsibility, we will strive to treat all requests for permits:
- In a timely manner - where unusual factors apply (e.g. the request does not fit within established guidelines or requires extensive research), we will explain to you the steps that we must take to respond fully with the least possible delay.
- Courteously - we recognize the importance of your request to you, and will help you understand the law, regulations and requirements that we must apply.
- Fairly - we will treat your request the same as every other one like it, and we will give it the same importance you give it. If, in your view, a matter is not resolved according to the goals set out here, we will promptly explain how to seek redress.
- Clearly - you have a right to know, in plain language, what we are doing with your request, how, and why.
- Cooperatively - just as you must discharge your obligations towards Government under the Export and Import Permits Act and others, so we must discharge our obligations of public service towards you. To that end, we will work with you to try to get every detail of the assessment process right first time, every time.
We are open to serve you from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Standard (or Daylight) Time, Monday to Friday (except on statutory holidays). We welcome comments on our procedures and always welcome suggestions for improving them. Please call us at (613) 944-2167 or fax us at (613) 944-2170.
