Export Regulations

Overview

Export ventures offer exciting rewards, but not without some preliminary legwork. The odds of success are increased by a business that is well planned and well researched. You need to be aware of the regulatory requirements in your business environment, and of the government and private resources at your disposal.

Import/Export Account Number

An Import/Export Account Number is required by all Canadian businesses and individuals to export. The number is used by the Canada Border Services Agency to identify exporters and importers, and to process Customs accounting documentation.

An Import/Export Account Number can be obtained through the:

  • Business Window of the Canada Border Services Agency (1166 W. Pender St., Vancouver, BC).
  • OneStop registration site: www.onestopbc.ca
  • Or, by calling 1-800-959-5525.

Harmonized System Code (HS Code)

Used by customs administrators, carriers/producers and trade statisticians, the HS code simplifies international trade by standardizing what a product is. The basic system uses a 6-digit number to identify basic commodities. However, each country is allowed to add additional digits for statistical purposes.

The HS Code is required when filling out export declarations, and to find out the duty rates that apply to your product in its country of destination.

You can find the HS Code for the product you wish to export on the Statistics Canada website: www.statscan.ca/trade/scripts/trade_search.cgi

Tariffs in destination countries

For an overview of tariff information in other countries, try the World Customs Organization’s website: www.wcoomd.org.

Reporting Your Exports

Goods need to be reported under the following conditions:

  • If the goods are valued at $2,000 CDN, or more and the final destination is the US, Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands.
  • If the final destination of the goods is anywhere other than the US, Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands.
  • If the goods are controlled, prohibited or regulated .

Exported goods are reported using the B13A Export Declaration form from Canada Border Services. The document is available to download at: http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/E/pbg/cf/b13a/

Alternatively, exports can be reported electronically using the Canadian Automated Export Declaration (CAED) program. The CAED is available to download at: http://www.statcan.ca/english/exports/index.htm

Documentation for shipping goods under Free Trade Agreements

In order to ship goods that fall under a free trade agreement (NAFTA; CIFTA; CCRFTA; or CCFTA) the exporter must certify in writing that the goods meet the rules of origin set out in the related free trade agreement. This certification comes in the form of a Certificate of Origin.

Certificates of Origin can be downloaded from the Canada Border Services Agency website at www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/formspubs/topics/origin-e.html.

For more information, contact Canada Border Services Agency toll-free at 1-888-461-9999.

Obtaining an Export Permit

All export permits are administered by the Export Controls Division of International Trade Canada. Export permits are required under two scenarios:

  1. When the destination country is on the ACL (Area Control List), or
  2. The product is on the ECL (Export Control List).

Currently, the ACL contains only one country – Myanmar – while the ECL includes military goods; nuclear materials and goods; herring roe; cedar shakes and shingles; softwood lumber; chemicals; narcotic drugs; missiles; guns; etc.

To find out more, please visit the International Trade Canada website at:
www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/eicb.

Exporting Goods from Canada – A Handy Customs Guide for Exporters

The Canadian Border Services Agency website is an excellent resource that outlines the reporting requirements of exporters under the Customs Act:

To visit the site, click here: http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/E/pub/cp/rc4116/

APEC Tariff Database Information

The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Tariff Database lists tariff information for the APEC member economies, as well as concessions, and prohibition. A free user registration is required. To sign up, please go to:
http://www.apectariff.org/