CBSA and the Customs Administration of Japan
Sign an Arrangement Regarding Mutual Assistance
in Customs Matters

The CBSA and the Japan Customs Administration entered into an enhanced Customs Cooperation Arrangement on June 2, 2005 to help each other ensure trade-supply security. Canada and Japan have agreed to assist each other enforce customs laws and prevent and investigate customs offences.

The two countries enjoy an excellent relationship - Canada has had a Letter of Understanding (LOU) for Customs Cooperation with Japan since 1992, and Japan is a high priority under the CBSA's International Framework.

The finalization of this arrangement follows the Prime Minister's announcement of an Innovative Canada-Japan Economic Framework in January 2005.

It is an example of Canada's efforts to increase international cooperation and will provide both Canada and Japan with more opportunities to maximize their contributions to the World Customs Organization's (WCO) mandate and activities. This Canada-Japan Customs Arrangement follows the spirit and principles of the WCO's draft Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade, released on May 12, 2005.