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Annual report to parliament on the administration of the Export and Import Controls Permits Act - 2020

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Table of Contents

List of Tables

List of Figures

1.0 Introduction

This Annual Report to Parliament on the administration of the Export and Import Permits Act (EIPA) for the year 2020 is submitted pursuant to section 27 of the Act, Chapter E-19 of the 1985 Revised Statutes of Canada, as amended, which provides that:

"No later than May 31 of each year, the Minister shall prepare and cause to be laid before each House of Parliament a report of the operations under this Act for the preceding year and a report in respect of arms, ammunition, implements and munitions of war, that were exported in the preceding year under the authority of and in accordance with an export permit issued under subsection 7(1)."

1.1 Purpose of the Export and Import Permits Act

The authority to control the import and export of goods and technologies is derived from the EIPA. It finds its origin in the War Measures Act and was first introduced as an act of Parliament in 1947. It has subsequently been amended on a number of occasions.

The EIPA provides that the Governor-in-Council may establish lists known as the Import Control List (ICL), the Export Control List (ECL), the Area Control List (ACL), the Automatic Firearms Country Control List (AFCCL) and the Brokering Control List (BCL). For each of these lists, the EIPA sets out criteria that govern the inclusion of items or countries on the respective lists and provides that the Governor-in-Council may revoke, amend, vary, or re-establish any of the lists. Control over the flow of goods and technology contained in these lists or to the specified destinations is implemented through the issuance of import, export or brokering permits.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs has the authority under the EIPA to grant or deny applications for permits under the Act, giving him or her broad powers to control the trade of items contained in the lists mentioned above. The Minister also has broad authority, under subsection 10(1) of the EIPA, to "amend, suspend, cancel, or reinstate any permit".

While the Minister of Foreign Affairs maintains overall authority for decisions under the EIPA, the Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade can assist the Minister of Foreign Affairs in carrying out responsibilities under the Act that are related to import and export controls implemented for economic and trade-related reasons. These include:

Import controls on:

Export controls on:

For export and brokering controls over military, dual-use and strategic goods and technology and import controls over military goods, the Minister of Foreign Affairs retains direct decision-making authority, although the views and recommendations of the Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade can be sought for certain sensitive applications.

The operations carried out under the EIPA include:

  1. Import and export controls implemented for economic reasons, which are an important element of Canada’s free trade agreements (FTAs). The aim is to ensure that Canadians and Canadian businesses are able to benefit from an open global trading regime, while also supporting vulnerable Canadian industries and ensuring the viability of important Canadian policies, such as supply management.
  2. Export and brokering controls over dual-use, military and strategic goods and technology, which are designed to ensure that our exports are consistent with Canadian foreign and defence policies and security interests. A key priority of Canada’s foreign policy is the protection and promotion of international human rights, peace and security.

2.0 Key developments in 2020 

2.1 Legislative amendments to the Export and Import Permits Act

Amendments to the EIPA as part of Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement implementation

On July 1, 2020, the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) entered into force and the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was repealed. These changes were implemented through Bill C-4, an Act to implement the Agreement between Canada, the United States of America and the United Mexican States, which received royal assent on March 13, 2020. Among other changes, Bill C-4 introduced legislative amendments to the EIPA in order to implement the new CUSMA dairy export thresholds (see section 3.3.4 below), notably providing the Minister with the power to impose and collect export charges in accordance with commitments made under Article 3.A.3 of CUSMA.

2.2 Export controls policy 

Regulatory amendments for CUSMA implementation

Dairy

Several regulatory changes were introduced to implement the new CUSMA dairy export thresholds. The main change regarding dairy was an amendment to the ECL implementing controls over the export of skim milk powder (SMP), milk protein concentrate (MPC) and infant formula containing more than 10% cow’s milk (hereafter “infant formula”). Amendments were also made to the export allocations regulations and the export permits regulations (non-strategic products) to reflect the implementation of these new controls. A new regulation, Export Charges for Certain Dairy Products Regulations, was enacted to establish the export charges on the new products added to the ECL.

Sugar and sugar-containing products

The ECL was updated to add access for new United States (U.S.) sugar and sugar-containing products tariff rate quotas (TRQs), as well as to incorporate previous World Trade Organization (WTO) TRQ commitments for these goods, now included under CUSMA. These amendments eliminated export controls for goods not intended for the within access tariff preference rates for these quotas, as well as permit requirements for exports into the WTO global TRQ for sugar-containing products.

Peanut butter

In addition, the ECL was amended such that export controls on peanut butter now only apply to exports to the U.S. and not all destinations. As a result, General Export Permit No. Ex. 31 – Peanut Butter was repealed, as it is no longer required due to changes made for this good on the ECL.

Textiles and clothing

The Issuance of Certificate Regulations was updated to provide continued export access for textiles and clothing under the CUSMA tariff preference levels (TPL), as under the NAFTA, and to add new TPL goods under the new Agreement.

Regulatory amendments unrelated to CUSMA

Guide to Canada’s Export Control List update

On March 13, 2020, the Government of Canada amended the Export Control List to add, clarify and remove controls over specific items pursuant to commitments made at various multilateral export control regimes. The December 2018 edition of the Guide to Canada’s Export Control List came into effect on May 1, 2020, incorporating the commitments made up to until December 31, 2018.

Automatic Firearms Country Control List

On May 1, 2020, the Government amended the regulations prescribing certain firearms and other weapons, components and parts of weapons, accessories, cartridge magazines, ammunition and projectiles as prohibited, restricted or non-restricted to reclassify as prohibited approximately 1,500 models of firearms and their variants. These newly prohibited firearms can only be exported to destinations that are listed on the Automatic Firearms Country Control List (AFCCL).

On October 14, 2020, the Automatic Firearms Country Control List was amended to include Austria, Ireland, Japan and Switzerland. This amendment allows Canadians to now apply for permits to export prohibited firearms, weapons and devices to these destinations. It also provides Canadians who own one of the 1,500 models of firearms that were reclassified as prohibited on May 1, 2020 with an additional options to dispose of them through export to the country of manufacture.

Export and Brokering Controls Handbook update

¶¶ÒùÊÓƵ last updated the Export and Brokering Controls Handbook in August 2019 to reflect changes to Canada’s export controls program that officially came into effect on September 1, 2019. The updated handbook provides a comprehensive overview of Canada’s export control policies and includes information to assist clients in applying for export and brokering permits. No changes were made to the handbook in 2020.

Area Control List and Brokering Control List

There were no amendments to the ACL or BCL in 2020.

2.3 Import controls policy

Regulatory amendments for CUSMA implementation

Textiles and clothing

In 2020, for the purpose of implementing CUSMA, the ICL was updated to ensure continued access for goods previously eligible under the NAFTA, such as textile and apparel TPLs, and to add new TPL goods under the new Agreement.

Agriculture

The ICL was also amended to replace all NAFTA references with CUSMA to maintain the exclusions for CUSMA countries from Canadian trade controls on imports of beef and veal, dairy products for personal use and milk protein substances.

The following General Import Permits (GIPs) were amended to replace references to NAFTA with CUSMA:

Regulatory amendments unrelated to CUSMA

Agriculture

The various allocation method orders implemented to apply to TRQs established under the WTO were repealed. The repeal was necessary to avoid confusion regarding the possible application of these regulations to non-WTO TRQs as well. These regulations were replaced by ministerial policy statements contained in Notices to Importers associated with each respective TRQ. The affected method orders are the following:

Steel import monitoring program

Effective November 2, 2020, item 80 (Carbon Steel Products) and item 81 (Specialty Steel Products) were re-added to the ICL, following their deemed removal on
November 1, 2020. The addition of these items to the ICL enables the administration of the Steel Import Monitoring Program. The purpose of this program is to enable ¶¶ÒùÊÓƵ to monitor imports of carbon steel and specialty steel products and facilitate the collection of import data. These goods may be imported under the authority of GIPs No. 80 – Carbon Steel and No. 81 – Specialty Steel Products.

2.4 Judicial reviews

Foster Farms LLC and Foster Poultry Farms, A California Corporation v. Minister of International Trade Diversification

On June 21, 2019, Foster Farms commenced an application for judicial review of the Minister of International Trade's decision to deny the issuance of retroactive supplemental import permits for the shipment of chicken that had been incorrectly declared as spent fowl, which is duty-free, instead of broiler chicken, which is subject to the tariff rate quota and over-access duties. This matter was heard before the Federal Court on
March 9, 2020. On June 3, 2020, the Federal Court dismissed Foster Farms’ application for judicial review and the Court awarded costs to the government. Foster Farms has not appealed the decision.

Daniel Turp v. Minister of Foreign Affairs (1st and 2nd Judicial Reviews)

On April 11, 2019, the Supreme Court of Canada denied Mr. Turp’s application for leave to appeal in his first judicial review. Following the Supreme Court’s refusal to hear his first judicial challenge, on May 9, 2019, Mr. Turp discontinued his second judicial review, which had been stayed pending the Supreme Court’s decision.

Daniel Turp v. Minister of Foreign Affairs (3rd Judicial Review)

On October 10, 2019, Mr. Turp commenced a third application for judicial review against the Minister of Foreign Affairs’ purported failure to cancel all existing permits for the export of light armoured vehicles to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In his application, Mr. Turp alleges that all parties to the Yemeni Civil War, including the members of the Saudi-led international coalition, have committed serious violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law. Mr. Turp seeks a mandamus order from the Federal Court requiring the Minister to cancel all existing permits for the export of light armoured vehicles to Saudi Arabia. In the alternative, Mr. Turp seeks an order from the Federal Court instructing the Minister to suspend all existing permits for these exports, pending a review by ¶¶ÒùÊÓƵ to determine whether they comply with the EIPA and the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). This application is still pending before the Federal Court.

Mosaic Forest Management Corporation, et al. v. Minister of Foreign Affairs, et al.

On July 17, 2020, Mosaic Forest Management Corporation commenced a judicial review application challenging the control of logs under the EIPA and the Minister of Foreign Affairs’ decisions on certain log export permit applications. This application is ongoing in the Federal Court. A hearing is yet to be scheduled.  

3.0 Export and brokering controls

3.1 Export control list

Section 3 of the EIPA provides that the Governor-in-Council may establish a list of goods and technology, to be called the Export Control List, including therein any article the export of which the Governor-in-Council deems it necessary to control for purposes specified in the EIPA. A complete list of goods and technology that are subject to export controls may be found online.

The Export Control List is comprised of nine groups, of which one has been repealed, as follows:

GroupGoods and Technology

1

Dual-use

2

Munitions

3

Nuclear Non-proliferation

4

Nuclear-related Dual-use

5

Miscellaneous Goods and Technology

6

Missile Technology Control Regime

7

Chemical and Biological Weapons Non-proliferation

8

Repealed, SOR/2006-16, s. 11

9

Arms Trade Treaty

The 2020 Report on Exports of Military Goods contains extensive detail and break down of information on Group 2 exports.

Groups 1 and 2 contain Canada's multilateral commitments made under the Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls for Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies, founded in 1996. As included in its “Initial Elements”, the objectives of the Wassenaar Arrangement (WA) include, inter alia: “to contribute to regional and international security and stability, by promoting transparency and greater responsibility in transfers of conventional arms and dual-use goods and technologies, thus preventing destabilising accumulations.”

Through national policies, the WA participating states seek to ensure that transfers of items covered by the common control lists do not contribute to the development or enhancement of military capabilities that have the potential to undermine regional and global security and stability. Participating states also commit to take every precaution to ensure that such items are not diverted to illegitimate end-uses.

Groups 3, 4, 6 and 7 represent Canada’s multilateral commitments under the various non-proliferation regimes (the Nuclear Suppliers Group, the Australia Group, and the Missile Technology Control Regime) designed to control the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (chemical, biological and nuclear weapons) as well as their delivery system.

Group 5 is comprised of various strategic and non-strategic goods and technology controlled for other purposes, as provided in the EIPA. This category includes, inter alia, forest products (logs, softwood lumber), agricultural products (skim milk powder, milk protein concentrates, infant formula containing more than 10% cow’s milk, peanut butter, sugars, syrups and molasses and sugar-containing products) and Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) origin quotas (high-sugar containing products, sugar confectionery and chocolate preparations, processed foods, dog and cat food, vehicles and certain apparel products).

In addition, Group 5 places export controls on all U.S. origin goods and technology not otherwise controlled on the ECL and contains an end-use provision to control the export of items that may be destined for use in a weapons of mass destruction activity or facility.

In accordance with its legislative authority in the EIPA to implement an international agreement, textile and clothing exports to certain countries with which Canada has free trade agreements (U.S., Mexico, Chile, Costa Rica and Honduras) are regulated under the EIPA. Section 9.1 of the EIPA also authorizes the Minister of Foreign Affairs to issue export certificates of eligibility. Group 5 also includes these items.

Group 9 is a subset of Group 2 and includes the full-system conventional arms listed in Article 2 of the ATT, namely:

Canada is required to report annually on exports of Group 9 items to the United Nations and the ATT Secretariat.

3.2 Military, strategic and dual-use items

In 2020*, for military, dual-use and strategic goods exports, ¶¶ÒùÊÓƵ:

*Between January 1 and December 31, 2020 (data based on submission of application).

The EIPA requires any resident who wishes to export from Canada any items included on the ECL to obtain, prior to shipment, an export permit issued by ¶¶ÒùÊÓƵ.

An export permit describes, among other things, the quantity, technical description and nature of the items to be exported, as well as the final destination country and consignee. Unless otherwise stated, an export permit may authorize multiple shipments, up to the expiry of the permit and as long as the cumulative total of the quantity and value of items exported does not exceed the quantity and value stated on the permit. An export permit constitutes a legally binding authorization to export controlled goods or technology as described.

A key priority of Canada’s foreign policy is the maintenance of international peace and security. In line with its foreign policy objectives, the Government of Canada strives to ensure that goods and technology exported from Canada are not used in a manner that is prejudicial to human rights, peace, security or stability.

Furthermore, under the amendments to the EIPA that came into force on September 1, 2019, the Minister of Foreign Affairs is legally required to take into account the assessment criteria referred to in Article 7 of the ATT for export and brokering permit applications for arms, ammunition, implements or munitions of war.

Specifically, the Minister of Foreign Affairs is required to consider whether the goods or technology specified in the application:

A further change to the legislation stipulates that the Minister cannot issue an export or brokering permit for “arms, ammunition, implements or munitions of war” if, after taking into account the relevant considerations described above, including available mitigating measures, he or she determines that there is a substantial risk that the proposed transaction would result in any of the negative consequences referred to in the ATT assessment criteria.

To ensure that the Government upholds the highest standards with respect to human rights, on April 9, 2020, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs announced the creation of an arms-length advisory panel of experts that would review best practices regarding arms exports by State Parties to the ATT and ensure that Canada’s export controls are as robust as possible. The advisory panel would not be responsible for evaluating permit applications. Officials also launched discussions with key international partners within the ATT with a view to strengthen international compliance with the Treaty, with a long-term goal towards garnering support for the establishment of an international inspection regime. These efforts will continue over the next fiscal year.

Additional information about the assessment process for export and brokering permits for military, strategic and dual-use items is available in the Report on the Exports of Military Goods.

Table 1: Export Control List group and permit status summary for 2020
Submitted applicationsIssuedDeniedReturned without actionWithdrawnCancelled or suspendedUnder review or under assessment
Group 1:  Dual-use1200991311254166
Group 2:  Munitions261422379537144200
Group 3:  Nuclear non-proliferation474300004
Group 4:  Nuclear-related dual-use199164016127
Group 5:  Miscellaneous goods and technology*1551190223011
Group 6:  Missile technology control regime947801609
Group 7:  Chemical and biological weapons non-proliferation7853024019
Group 9:  Arms Trade Treaty242011002
Others** 2940152221020
Totals470537051412335649458

*Strategic goods only. Non-strategic goods are covered in section 3.3.

**This category includes applications that were not assigned to an ECL Group either because they were withdrawn or returned without action prior to a technical assessment being conducted or because the item in question required a permit for export to a destination listed on the Area Control List.

Notes:

Submitted Applications:

Table 1 includes data on all export permit application submitted between January 1 and December 31, 2020. It does not include information on applications that were submitted prior to 2020 (or those that were submitted on December 31, 2020 and not received until January 1, 2021), nor does it include information on export permit amendment requests. Items in an export permit application may be assessed under more than one ECL Group. To avoid counting the same application twice, applications containing more than one ECL assessment have been assigned to a single Group based on the following order of precedence: 9, 2, 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 5. Therefore, an application containing both a Group 9 assessment and a Group 2 assessment appears in the Group 9 row, and an application containing both a Group 6 and a Group 5 assessment appears in the Group 6 row. The status of all export permit applications reflected in the table is accurate as of December 31, 2020.

Issued:

If a permit was issued in 2020 and is subsequently cancelled, it is only counted once in the cancelled or suspended column. Permits that were issued in 2020 but have since expired are also counted in the issued column.

Denied:

Please note that the summary information presented above includes information on applications denied in 2020, including those submitted prior to January 1, 2020. Table 1 includes information on applications submitted in 2020 that had been denied as of December 31, 2020.

Withdrawn:

In 2020, a total of 245 applications were withdrawn by ¶¶ÒùÊÓƵ because an individual export permit was not required. The remaining 111 withdrawals were at the request of the company.

Under Review:

Includes applications submitted in 2020 that as of December 31, 2020 were not completely processed or were otherwise under review.

Table 2: Top 12 destinations for strategic export permits issued in 2020*
DestinationNumber of Permits Issued
Australia93
France133
Germany211
Israel400
Italy66
Japan57
Netherlands65
Norway51
Singapore47
Sweden60
Switzerland76
United Kingdom354

*Between January 1 and December 31, 2020 (data based on submission of applications).

Note: Export permits are only required for a small number of items controlled for strategic purposes on the ECL when exported to the U.S. This chart reflects the top 12 destinations by number of permits issued in 2020 for all military, dual-use and strategic items on the ECL. The 2020 Report on Exports of Military Goods has a similar table but is a listing of Canada’s top destinations for military items (Group 2 only) by value outside of the U.S. for permits utilized in 2020.

3.2.1 Brokering controls and Brokering Control List

Article 10 of the ATT requires State Parties to take measures to regulate the brokering of arms taking place under its jurisdiction. Canada decided to control the brokering activities of persons and organizations in Canada, as well as the activities of Canadians abroad (Canadian citizens, permanent residents and organizations) reflected by changes to Canada’s export controls program that officially came into effect on September 1, 2019.

Brokering is defined in the EIPA as “arranging or negotiating a transaction that relates to the movement of goods or technology included in a Brokering Control List from a foreign country to another foreign country.”

General Brokering Permit 1 (GBP1) streamlines the authorization of brokering activities involving certain low-risk transactions. Similar to a General Export Permit, a General Brokering Permit is a type of permit that is issued generally to all persons and organizations in Canada as a way to reduce administrative burden, provided that users follow all applicable terms and conditions.

For more information about Canada’s brokering controls, please consult the brokering regulations online or the Report on the Exports of Military Goods.

Brokering Control List

Section 4.11 of the EIPA provides that the Governor-in-Council may establish a list of goods and technology, to be called a Brokering Control List, including in it any article that is included in the Export Control List the brokering of which the Governor-in-Council considers it necessary to control. The BCL includes full-system conventional arms listed in the ATT (as defined in Group 9 of the ECL), all items listed in Group 2 of the ECL, as well as any ECL item – including dual-use items – destined to a likely weapons of mass destruction end-use.

3.2.2 Area Control List

Section 4 of the EIPA provides for the control of “any goods or technology to any country included in an ACL”. Currently the only country listed on the ACL is the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea). In 2020, no export permits have been for North Korea.

3.2.3 Automatic Firearms Country Control List

Further to sections 4.1 and 7(2) of the EIPA, certain prohibited firearms, weapons, or devices, and components and parts thereof, that are included on the Export Control List, may be exported only to destinations listed on the Automatic Firearms Country Control List (and only to consignees that are government or authorized by government). On May 1, 2020, the Government of Canada reclassified 1,500 models of certain firearms and their variants as prohibited firearms, thereby barring their export to non-AFCCL destinations. On October 14, 2020, the AFCCL was amended to include Austria, Ireland, Japan and Switzerland.

The 44 countries listed on the AFCCL in 2020 were:

Albania

Australia

Austria

Belgium

Botswana

Bulgaria

Chile

Colombia

Croatia

Czech Republic

Denmark

Estonia

Finland

France

Germany

Greece

Hungary

Iceland

Ireland

Israel

Italy

Japan

Kuwait

Latvia

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Netherlands

New Zealand

Norway

Peru

Poland

Portugal

Romania

Saudi Arabia

Slovakia

Slovenia

South Korea

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

Turkey

Ukraine

United Kingdom

United States

3.3 Non-strategic exports

In 2020, for non-strategic* exports, ¶¶ÒùÊÓƵ:

Figure 1: Number of non-strategic export permits issued by sector in 2020**

Figure 1: Number of Non-Strategic Export Permits Issued by Sector in 2020**
Text version
TPL Clothing and Textile16,772
Processed Food1
Dog and Cat Food103
Sugar, syrups and molasses and sugar-containing products6,246
Softwood Lumber212,638
Dairy249
Logs4,197
Vehicles236
Peanut Butter1,969
CETA Apparel855

*Between January 1 and December 31, 2020 (data based on submission of applications).

3.3.1 Softwood lumber products to the United States

Based on the definitions specific to the 2006 Canada-United States Softwood Lumber Agreement, exports of softwood lumber totalled 13,337,409,308 board feet in 2020. ¶¶ÒùÊÓƵ continues to require export permits for shipments to the U.S., having implemented a monitoring program that took effect October 13, 2015.

Table 3: Softwood lumber exports to the United States in 2020*
MonthNumber of permits issued
January16,322
February15,064
March18,053
April15,396
May15,329
June17,804
July18,142
August18,347
September20,852
October20,900
November18,388
December18,041
Total212,638

*Between January 1 and December 31, 2020 (data based on submission of applications and can be subject to corrections).

3.3.2 Log exports

A federal export permit issued by ¶¶ÒùÊÓƵ is required for the export of all logs from any type of land in Canada (e.g. provincial Crown land, federal Crown land, private lands, parks and reserves). In 2020, ¶¶ÒùÊÓƵ issued 4,197 permits for logs.

Table 4: Log permits issued in 2020*
MonthNumber of permits issued
January209
February175
March125
April358
May311
June318
July384
August378
September382
October470
November494
December448
Total4,197

*Between January 1 and December 31, 2020 (data based on submission of applications and can be subject to corrections).

3.3.3 Agri-food products to the United States 

As part of its implementation of WTO commitments and under CUSMA, the U.S. established TRQs for imports of peanut butter, certain sugar-containing products and refined sugar. Within these TRQs, the U.S. has established a country-specific reserve for Canada.

The U.S. government administers these TRQs on a first-come, first-served basis. In order to facilitate the orderly export of these products against Canada’s country-specific reserves, Canada added these products to the ECL.

Accordingly, in order to comply with the EIPA and to benefit from the United States’ in-quota tariff rate, Canadian exports of peanut butter, certain sugar-containing products and refined sugar to the U.S. require an export permit issued by ¶¶ÒùÊÓƵ. There are no quantitative restrictions for Canadian exports of these products to destinations outside of the U.S.

Peanut butter was placed on the ECL on January 1, 1995.

Sugar-containing products were placed on the ECL on February 1, 1995. The global TRQ of the United States’ sugar-containing products is 64,709,000 kilograms and applies to imports of certain sugar-containing products falling under Chapters 17, 18, 19 and 21 of its Harmonized Tariff Schedule. The control period for sugar containing products is from October 1 to September 30. In September 1997, Canada and the U.S. exchanged letters of understanding, under which Canada obtained a country-specific reserve within the United States’ sugar-containing products TRQ of 59,250,000 kilograms. The understanding also provides that only goods that are "Product of Canada" may benefit from Canada's country-specific reserve.

Refined sugar was placed on the ECL on October 1, 1995. The quota year for refined sugar is from October 1 to September 30. In September 1997, Canada and the U.S. exchanged letters of understanding, under which Canada obtained a 10,300,000 kilogram country-specific reserve. The understanding also provides that only goods that are "Product of Canada" may benefit from Canada's country-specific reserve

With the coming into force of CUSMA, the texts of the 1997 bilateral understanding for both sugar-containing products and refined sugar were incorporated into CUSMA.

Under CUSMA, Canada obtained additional market access through two new TRQs for refined sugar (9,600,000 kilograms) and sugar-containing products (9,600,000 kilograms) for export to the United States. The quota year for the new TRQs runs from January 1 to December 31. As part of Canada’s administration of the CUSMA TRQs, items 5203 (sugar-containing products) and 5204 (sugars, syrups and molasses) of the ECL were amended to add access to the new U.S. TRQs, while eliminating the permit requirements for any sugar and sugar-containing product to the U.S. not intended for the TRQs, including the global WTO sugar-containing products TRQ

Table 5: Controlled agri-food exports to the United States in 2020*
ProductQuotaUtilization
Peanut butter14,500,00014,498,398
Peanut butter – U.S. goods returned6,000,000965,608
Refined sugar under the WTO commitment
*raw equivalent
10,300,00010,300,000
Refined sugar – increased additional quantity under the WTO commitment *raw equivalent5,000,0004,927,536
Sugar-containing products under the WTO commitment59,250,00054,797,916

*Canadian exit date between January 1 and December 31, 2020.

Table 6: Controlled agri-food exports under CUSMA in 2020*
ProductQuotaUtilization
CUSMA refined sugar4,800,0004,793,021
CUSMA refined sugar – increased additional quantity36,287,00036,287,000
CUSMA sugar-containing products4,800,0001,734,133

*The control period for these products runs from August 1 to July 31, so the period shown is from the implementation of CUSMA to the start of the new control period, i.e. July 1, 2020-July 31, 2020.

3.3.4 Dairy export thresholds

As part of its implementation of CUSMA commitments, Canada established export thresholds for exports of SMP and MPC, as well as infant formula. The export thresholds require the payment of a charge on exports of these products once a set quantity of exports has been exceeded. Each export threshold also includes a below-threshold quantity of exports not subject to a charge.

The export thresholds apply to global exports of SMP, MPC and infant formula. An export permit is required for the export of all SMP, MPC and infant formula from Canada.

In accordance with CUSMA, the export thresholds are administered on the dairy year, which runs from August 1 to July 31. Given that the agreement came into effect as of July 1, 2020, there is only one month of exports to report for the 2020/21 dairy year (see chart below for further details).

Table 7: Dairy export threshold exports under CUSMA in 2020*
Kilograms (KG)Below-threshold quantityUtilization
SMP/MPC (Jul. 1 – Jul. 31)**55,000,0006,478,540
Infant formula (Jul. 1 – Jul. 31)**13,333,0000

*Canadian exit date between July 1 and December 31, 2020 unless otherwise stated.

**The control period for these products runs from August 1 to July 31 so the period shown is from the implementation of CUSMA to the start of the new control period, i.e. July 1, 2020-July 31, 2020.

3.3.5 Textiles and clothing – tariff preference levels

Textile and clothing exports are controlled as a result of various free trade agreements, including CUSMA and the agreements with Chile, Costa Rica and Honduras. The agreements provide for preferential access for non-originating products through the use of TPLs.  

As of July 5, 2010, except for yarn, all TPLs for export to the U.S. are allocated on an historical-use basis to the extent of utilization by exporters, and on a first-come, first-served basis for those amounts not allocated directly to exporters. The TPL for yarn for exports to the U.S., and all TPL exports to Mexico, Chile, Costa Rica and Honduras, are made available to exporters on a first-come, first-served basis.

With the entry into force of CUSMA on July 1, 2020, the previous administration of TPLs under NAFTA was applied to the new TPLs. As such, TPL exports to the U.S. and Mexico must be accompanied by a certificate of eligibility. Other TPL exports that are not subject to controls do not require a certificate of eligibility. There were no changes to the administration of the other existing agreements.

In 2020, for NAFTA TPL exports, ¶¶ÒùÊÓƵ issued 3,866 permits, rejected 453 permit applications and cancelled 166 issued permits. The vast majority of permit cancellations are generated by the need to amend permit details, such as quantity or export date. A small number of permits are cancelled to address non-compliance with legislative, regulatory or policy requirements or criteria.

Table 8: Textiles and clothing: NAFTA tariff preference levels and utilization on exports from Canada in 2020*
United StatesMexicoChileCosta RicaHonduras
Square metre equivalents  (unless otherwise indicated)Access levelUtilizationAccess levelUtilizationAccess levelUtilizationAccess levelUtilizationAccess levelUtilization
Wool apparel 5,325,413587,508250,0000112.616N/A**N/AN/AN/AN/A
Cotton or man-made fibre apparel88,326,4632,802,8256,000,000113,3632,252,324N/A**N/AN/AN/AN/A
Cotton or man-made fibre fabrics and made-up goods71,765,25226,309,2317,000,0003,4021,000,000N/A**1,000,000N/A**N/AN/A
Cotton or man-made fibre spun yarn11,813,6641,240,9261,000,0000500,000N/A**150,000N/A**N/AN/A
Wool fabrics and made-up goods (KG)N/AN/AN/AN/A250,000N/A**250,000N/A**N/A<N/A<
Apparel N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A1,379,570N/A**4,000,000N/A**
Fabric and made-up goods N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A1,000,000N/A**

*Canadian exit date between January 1 and June 30, 2020 for NAFTA exports.

**Indicates utilization information is not available for Chile, Costa Rica and Honduras as Canada does not administer TPLs for exports to these countries.

For CUSMA TPL clothing and textile exports, ¶¶ÒùÊÓƵ issued 9,145 permits, rejected 1,262 permit applications and cancelled 2,709 issued permits.

Table 9: Textiles and clothing: CUSMA tariff preference levels and utilization on exports from Canada in 2020*
United StatesMexico
Square metre equivalents  (unless otherwise indicated)Access levelUtilizationAccess levelUtilization
Wool apparel 4,000,000603,306250,0000
Cotton or man-made fibre apparel40,000,0004,701,4846,000,000102,090
Cotton or man-made fibre fabrics and made-up goods71,765,25241,878,6537,000,0004,457
Cotton or man-made fibre spun yarn6,000,0001,374,8251,000,000197
Wool fabrics and made-up goods (KG)N/AN/AN/AN/A
Apparel N/AN/AN/AN/A
Fabric and made-up goods N/AN/AN/AN/A

*Canadian exit date between July 1 and December 31, 2020 for CUSMA exports.

3.3.6 CETA origin quotas

Certain exports from Canada that are eligible under CETA origin quotas are subject to export controls under the EIPA. Accordingly, an export permit is required for shipments of these products from Canada to the European Union (EU) in order to obtain the preferential tariff rate under CETA. These include high-sugar containing products, sugar confectionery and chocolate preparations, processed foods, dog and cat food, vehicles and certain apparel products.

Exports of fish and seafood products, textiles and most apparel products from Canada to the EU are not subject to export controls under the EIPA. Accordingly, export permits are not required for shipments of these products to the EU in order to obtain the preferential tariff under CETA. Origin quota access is made available on a first-come, first-served basis, with the exception of the origin quotas for high-sugar containing products and vehicles for which allocation policies have been established. With the exception of the origin quota for vehicles, CETA contains growth factors for origin quotas that provide for an increase in the volume of the origin quotas if certain conditions are met.

Table 10: CETA origin quotas 2020*
HS classification
U = Units
T = Tonnes
KG = Kilograms
Access levelUtilization
High-sugar containing products30,000 (T)0
Sugar confectionery and chocolate preparations10,000,000 (KG)0
Processed foods35,000,000 (KG)455
Dog and cat food60,000,000 (KG)2,092,434
ApparelApparel 61.04
Women's or girls' suits, ensembles, suit-type jackets, blazers, dresses, skirts, divided skirts, trousers, etc. (no swimwear), knitted or crocheted
535,000 (U)175,879
Apparel 61.14
Garments not elsewhere specified or included, knitted or crocheted
90,000 (KG)9,744
Apparel 62.01
Men's or boys' overcoats car coats, capes, cloaks, anoraks (including ski-jackets), windcheaters, wind-jackets and similar articles, not knitted or crocheted, other than those of heading 6203
101,847 (U)101,847
Apparel 6102.30
Women's or girls' overcoats, car coats, capes, cloaks, anoraks, ski-jackets and similar articles of manmade fibres, knitted or crocheted
17,000 (U)1,116
Apparel 6108.92
Women's or girls' negligees, bathrobes, dressing gowns and similar articles of manmade fibres, knitted or crocheted
39,000 (U)2
Apparel 62.05
Men's or boys' shirts, not knitted or crocheted
15,000 (U)0
Vehicles100,000 (U)4343

*Canadian exit date between January 1 and December 31, 2020.

3.4 General export permits

The EIPA provides for the issuance of general permits authorizing the export of certain designated goods or technology to specified destinations. GEPs are intended to facilitate exports by enabling exporters to export certain items without the need to obtain individual permits.

The following GEPs were in effect during 2020:

4.0 Import controls

Section 3 of the EIPA also provides that the Governor-in-Council may establish a list of goods, to be called the Import Control List, including therein any article the import of which the Governor-in-Council deems it necessary to control for purposes specified in the EIPA. A link to the complete list of goods that are subject to import controls may be found online.

Figure 2: Number of import permits for controlled goods in 2020*

Figure 2: Number of Import Permits for Controlled Goods in 2020*
Text version
Applications Rejected4,689
Permits Issued36,214
Permits Cancelled3,781

*Between January 1 and December 31, 2020 (data based on submission of applications).

Figure 3: Number of import permits issued by sector in 2020*

Figure 3: Number of Import Permits Issued by Sector in 2020*
Text version
Arms & Ammunition89
Wheat and Barley347
Poultry-Turkey366
Margarine595
Steel Safeguards599
Eggs1,423
Broiler Hatching Eggs and Chicks1,869
CETA Textile and Apparel2,315
Beef & Veal3,054
Dairy4,970
Poultry – Chicken5,018
TPL Clothing and Textile7,526
Cheese8,043
Total:36,214

*Between January 1 and December 31, 2020 (data based on submission of applications).

4.1 Textiles and clothing - tariff preference levels

Textile and clothing imports, similar to exports of these goods, are controlled as a result of various free trade agreements, including CUSMA, and FTAs with Chile, Costa Rica and Honduras. The agreements provide for preferential access for non-originating products through TPLs.

All TPLs for imports are made available on a first-come, first-served basis. Once the specified annual quantity under a free trade agreement has been fully utilized, non‑originating apparel, textiles and made-up goods are subject to the Most Favored Nation tariff rate for the remainder of that TPL year.

Canadian importers require a shipment-specific import permit for all TPL imports into Canada within the negotiated quantity. TPL-eligible shipments entering Canada under a shipment-specific import permit can normally do so at the rate equivalent to the originating rate.

With the entry into force of CUSMA on July 1, 2020, the previous administration of TPLs under NAFTA was applied to the new TPLs. There were no changes to the administration of the other existing agreements in 2020.

Table 11: Textiles and clothing: NAFTA tariff preference levels and utilization on imports to Canada in 2020*
United StatesMexicoHonduras
Square meter equivalents (SME) or kilograms (KG)Access levelUtilizationAccess levelUtilizationAccess levelUtilization
Wool apparel (SME)919,74096,443250,00014,240N/AN/A
Cotton or man-made fibre apparel (SME)9,000,0002,980,8136,000,000245,299N/AN/A
Cotton or man-made fibre fabrics and made-up goods (SME)2,000,00007,000,0000N/AN/A
Cotton or man-made fibre spun yarn (SME)1,000,000133,6561,000,0000N/AN/A
Wool fabrics and made-up goods (KG)N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
Fabrics and made-up goods (KG) N/AN/AN/AN/A1,000,0000
Apparel (SME)N/AN/AN/AN/A4,000,000465,703

*Canadian entry date between January 1 and June 30, 2020 for NAFTA imports.

Table 12: Textiles and clothing: CUSMA tariff preference levels and utilization on imports to Canada in 2020*
United StatesMexicoHonduras
Square meter equivalents (SME) or kilograms (KG)Access levelUtilizationAccess levelUtilizationAccess levelUtilization
Wool apparel (SME)700,000122,888250,00019,423N/AN/A
Cotton or man-made fibre apparel (SME)20,000,0002,310,7956,000,0001,103,828N/AN/A
Cotton or man-made fibre fabrics and made-up goods (SME)15,000,00007,000,0000N/AN/A
Cotton or man-made fibre spun yarn (SME)1,000,000252,0681,000,0000N/AN/A
Wool fabrics and made-up goods (KG)N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
Fabrics and made-up goods (KG) N/AN/AN/AN/A1,000,0000
Apparel (SME)N/AN/AN/AN/A4,000,0001,118,183

*Canadian entry date between July 1 and December 31, 2020 for CUSMA imports.

CETA textiles and apparel

Imports of textiles and apparel from the EU and its Member States to Canada that are eligible under CETA origin quotas are subject to import controls under the EIPA. Accordingly, import permits are required for imports of these products in order to obtain the preferential tariff rate under CETA. The origin quotas specify the annual quantity of a product that can qualify as originating and receive preferential CETA tariff treatment. In order to receive this treatment, the product must meet the product description and undergo sufficient production to satisfy the applicable product-specific rule of origin associated with that origin quota. CETA contains growth factors for the textiles and apparel origin quotas that provide for an increase in the volume of the origin quotas if certain conditions are met.

Table 13: CETA origin quotas: textiles and apparel 2020*
HS Classification
U = Units
KG = Kilograms
DZN = Dozens
Access levelUtilization
CETA origin textiles & apparelApparel 61.06 (U): Blouses, shirts and shirt blouses, knitted or crocheted (excluding T-shirts and vests.)126,0005,734
Apparel 61.09 (U): T-Shirts, singlets and other vests knitted or crocheted722,00021,847
Apparel 61.10 (U): Jerseys, pullovers, cardigans, waistcoats and similar articles knitted or crocheted (excluding wadded waistcoats)537,000149,706
Apparel 6105.10 (U): Men’s or boys’ shirts of cotton knitted or crocheted (excluding nightshirts, t-shirts, singlets and other vests)46,000123
Apparel 62.04 (U): Women’s or girls’ suits, ensembles, jackets, blazers, dresses etc. (excluding knitted or crocheted and swimwear)537,000368,167
Apparel 6202.11 (U): Women’s or girls’ overcoats, raincoats, car coats, capes, cloaks and similar articles of wool or fine animal hair, not knitted or crocheted.15,000180
Apparel 6202.93(U): Women’s or girls’ anoraks, windcheaters, wind jackets and similar articles, of manmade fibres (not knitted or crocheted)16,00012,173
Apparel 6203.11 (U): Men’s or boys’ suits of wool or fine animal hair.39,0002,743
Apparel 6203.12 to 6203.49 (U): Men’s or boys suits (excluding wool or fine animal hair), ensembles, jackets, blazers, trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts (excluding knitted or crocheted and swimwear)281,0009,056
Apparel 6205.20 (U): Men’s or boys’ shirts of cotton, not knitted or crocheted182,000769
Apparel 61.14 (KG): Other garments not elsewhere specified or included, knitted or crocheted58,00013,070
Apparel 62.10 (U): Garments made up of fabrics of heading 56.02, 56.03, 59.03, 59.06 or 59.07 (excluding knitted or crocheted and babies' garments)19,0003,029
Apparel 62.11 (KG): Tracksuits, ski suits, swimwear and other garments, not elsewhere specified or included (excluding knitted or crocheted)85,00022,746
Apparel 6302.21 (KG): Bed linen, printed, of cotton, not knitted or crocheted176,00022
Apparel 6302.31 (KG): Bed linen (other than printed) of cotton, not knitted or crocheted216,0002,480
Apparel 62.12 (DZN): Brassieres, girdles, corsets, braces, suspenders, garters and similar articles and parts thereof, of all types of Materials, whether or not elasticated including knitted or crocheted (excluding belts and corselets made entirely of rubber)26,0002,326
Apparel 61.15 (Pairs): Pantyhose, tights, stockings, socks and other hosiery, including graduated compression hosiery (for example, stockings for varicose veins) and footwear without applied soles, knitted or crocheted (excluding for babies)1,691,00024,248

*Canadian entry date between January 1 and December 31, 2020. Origin quotas with utilization of zero for the year 2020 are not included in the table.

4.2 Supply-managed products

WTO TRQs

Canada is a signatory to the WTO Agreement on Agriculture (concluded in December 1993). This Agreement obliged Canada to convert its existing quantitative agricultural import controls to a system of TRQs, which came into effect in 1995.

Under these TRQs, imports are subject to zero or low within-access commitment rates of duty up to a predetermined limit (i.e. until the import access quantity has been reached), while imports over this limit are subject to higher over-access commitment rates of duty. Where both WTO and CUSMA access commitments exist, Canada applies the higher of the two Access levels for the product in question. Normally, only eligible applicants who obtain an import quota allocation are able to obtain shipment-specific permits to import goods at the within-access commitment rates of duty.

All TRQs are based on Customs Tariff item numbers. When the TRQs came into effect in 1995, the ICL was amended to replace named products (e.g. turkey and turkey products) with tariff item numbers. For ease of understanding, the older product descriptions continue to be used in this report.

Poultry and eggs

Effective January 1, 1995, Canada's chicken, turkey, broiler hatching eggs and chicks, shell egg and egg product quantitative restrictions were converted to TRQs and were maintained on the ICL in order to support supply management of poultry under the Farm Products Marketing Act and to support action taken under the WTO Agreement Implementation Act.

With the entry into force of CUSMA and the repeal of NAFTA, the following changes were made to the administration of poultry TRQs in 2020:

Chicken and chicken products: The WTO Chicken and Chicken Products TRQ import Access level is now set at 39,843,700 kilograms. Previously, pursuant to NAFTA, the import Access level was set annually at 7.5% of domestic production for that year or the WTO level of 39,843,700 kilograms, expressed in eviscerated equivalent (EE) weight, whichever was higher.

Turkey and turkey products: Pursuant to the CUSMA, the WTO Turkey and Turkey Products TRQ import Access level is now set at the higher of:

  1. 3.5% of the previous year’s domestic production or 3.5% of the current year’s domestic production quota + 1,000 tonnes, whichever is lower; and
  2. The WTO level of 5,588,000 kilograms, expressed in EE weight, whichever is higher. Previously, pursuant to NAFTA, the import Access level was 3.5% of the current year’s domestic production quota or the WTO level of 5,588,000 kilograms, expressed in EE weight, whichever was higher.

Eggs and egg products: The WTO Egg and Egg Products TRQ Access level is now set at 21 370 000 dozen on an egg equivalent basis. Previously, pursuant to NAFTA, the import Access level was set annually at a total of 2.988% of the previous year’s domestic production or 21 370 000 dozen on an egg equivalent basis, whichever was higher. The Access level remains set in accordance with the following breakdown: 1.647% for shell eggs; 0.714% for liquid, frozen or further-processed egg products; and 0.627% for egg powder.

The administration of the following poultry TRQs remain unchanged from previous years:

Broiler hatching eggs and chicks: Pursuant to CUSMA, the combined import Access level for broiler hatching eggs and chicks is 21.1% of the estimated domestic production of broiler hatching eggs for the calendar year to which the TRQ applies. The combined annual import Access level is divided into separate levels of 17.4% for broiler hatching eggs and 3.7% for egg-equivalent chicks.

Table 14: Poultry and eggs: WTO tariff rate quota imports*
Tariff rate quotas
Unit of measureAccess levelWithin-access imports
Chicken and chicken products Eviscerated Equivalent Kilograms68,444,45267,609,909
Turkey and turkey products Eviscerated Equivalent Kilograms5,765,3345,426,585
Broiler hatching eggs and chicksEgg Equivalent165,103,227142,351,528
Eggs and egg products Dozens22,419,28817,565,720
Shell eggsDozens12,357,61912,351,891
Shell eggs for breakingDozens00
Egg powderKilograms710,372290,816
Egg products (liquid, frozen or further processed egg products)Kilograms3,080,4011,890,540

*Canadian entry date between January 1 and December 31, 2020.

Dairy products

Quantitative restrictions in 12 categories of dairy products were converted to TRQs in support of supply management under the Canadian Dairy Commission Act. All TRQs were implemented in 1995, unless otherwise specified. The TRQs cover the following products:

  1. Butter (implemented on August 1, 1995);
  2. Cheese (implemented on January 1, 1995);
  3. Buttermilk powder (implemented on January 1, 1995);
  4. Fluid milk (implemented on January 1, 1995);
  5. Dry whey (implemented on August 1, 1995);
  6. Concentrated/condensed milk/cream (implemented on January 1, 1995);
  7. Cream (implemented on August 1, 1995);
  8. Other products of natural milk constituents (implemented on January 1, 1995);
  9. Other dairy (implemented on January 1, 1995);
  10. Ice cream (implemented on January 1, 1995);
  11. Yogurt (implemented on January 1, 1995); and
  12. Milk protein substances, that do not originate in the U.S., Mexico, Chile, Costa Rica, an EU country or other CETA beneficiary, or Israel (implemented on September 8, 2008).

There were no changes made regarding the administration of these controls for 2020. TRQ import levels for 2020 are noted in the next table. However, additional dairy commitments were implemented under CUSMA.

Table 15: WTO dairy tariff rate quota imports*
Kilogramstariff rate quotas
Description/tariff item numberAccess levelWithin-access imports
Butter (Aug. 1 - Jul. 31)TRQ allocated to Canadian Dairy Commission with 2,000,000 reserved for NZ3,274,0003,261,7653
Cheese20,411,86619,928,360
Powdered buttermilkReserved for imports from NZ908,0000
Fluid milk64,500,000Footnote 10
Dry whey (Aug. 1 - Jul. 31)3,198,000198,735
Concentrated/condensed milk/creamTRQ reserved for imports from Australia11,7000
Cream (Aug. 1 - Jul. 31)TRQ reserved for cream that is sterilized, minimum 23% butterfat and sold in cans with volume less than 200 millilitres394,000393,524
Other products of milk constituents4,345,0003,738,639
Other dairy70,00069,955
Ice cream484,000441,861
Yogurt332,000253,352
Milk protein substances that do not originate in the United States, Mexico, Chile, Costa Rica, an EU country or other CETA beneficiary, or Israel (Apr. 1 - Mar. 31)10,000,0001,541,822

*Canadian entry date between January 1 and December 31, 2020 unless otherwise stated.

CETA TRQs

As a result of the provisional application of CETA, Canada established two TRQs for cheese originating from an EU country or other CETA beneficiary.

Table 16: CETA tariff rate quotas*
Unit of measureAccess levelWithin-access imports
CheeseKilograms10,667,00010,227,657
Industrial cheeseKilograms1,133,000876,295

*Canadian entry date between January 1 and December 31, 2020.

Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) TRQs

As a result of the coming into force of CPTPP, Canada established 20 new TRQs for various supply-managed products (dairy, poultry and eggs) originating from a CPTPP member state. In accordance with CPTPP, certain TRQs are administered on different TRQ years, with some being based on a calendar year and others on a dairy or marketing year.

Table 17: CPTPP tariff rate quotas*
Unit of measureAccess levelWithin-access imports
Broiler hatching eggs and chicksDozen Eggs Equivalent500,0000
EggsDozen Eggs Equivalent8,349,9990
ChickenEE Kilograms11,750,0000
Turkey (May 1 – Apr. 30)EE Kilograms1,167,0000
Butter (Aug. 1 – Jul. 31)Kilograms1,500,0001,404,279
Cheese of all typesKilograms1,813,0001,098,714
Concentrated milkKilograms1,000,0000
Cream (Aug. 1 – Jul. 31)Kilograms515,0000
Cream powder (Aug.1  – Jul. 31)Kilograms101,00012,000
Ice cream and mixesKilograms1,030,00011,359
Industrial cheeseKilograms3,988,000227,960
Milk (Aug. 1 – Jul. 31)Kilograms16,667,0000
Milk powderKilograms1,010,000275,850
Mozzarella and prepared cheeseKilograms1,450,000742,306
Other dairyKilograms1,020,0000
Powdered buttermilkKilograms780,0000
Products consisting of natural milk constituentsKilograms2,000,00029,600
Skim milk powder (Aug. 1 – Jul. 31)Kilograms2,500,0000
Whey powders (Aug. 1 – Jul. 31)Kilograms3,000,0000
Yogurt and buttermilkKilograms3,000,0000

*Canadian entry date between January 1 and December 31, 2020 unless otherwise stated.

Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) TRQs

As a result of the coming into force of CUSMA, Canada established 16 new TRQs for various supply-managed products (dairy, poultry and eggs) originating from the U.S. In accordance with CUSMA, certain TRQs are administered on different TRQ years, with some being based on a calendar year and others on a dairy year. Given that the Agreement came into effect as of July 1, 2020, the quantity available to allocate in each TRQ was prorated on the basis of the number of months remaining in the applicable TRQ year (see chart below for further details).

Table 18: Canada-United States-Mexico-Agreement tariff rate quotas*
Unit of measureAccess levelWithin-access imports
Butter and cream powders (Jul. 1 – Jul. 31)**Kilograms62,50023,119
Cheeses of all typesKilograms521,000489,794
ChickenEE Kilograms23,500,00022,916,676
Concentrated or condensed milkKilograms115,0002,200
Cream (Jul. 1 – Jul. 31)**Kilograms145,83330,030
Eggs and egg productsDozen Eggs Equivalent833,334833,332
Ice cream and ice cream mixes Kilograms57,50052,001
Industrial cheesesKilograms521,000253,113
Milk (Jul. 1 – Jul. 31)**Kilograms694,417295,550
Milk powders (Jul. 1 – Jul. 31)**Kilograms9,583196
Products consisting of natural milk constituentsKilograms230,000212,667
Other dairyKilograms57,50046,269
Powdered buttermilkKilograms43,5000
Skim milk powders (Jul. 1 – Jul. 31)**Kilograms104,1674,470
Whey powder (Jul. 1 – Jul. 31)**Kilograms57,4170
Yogurt and buttermilkKilograms344,500115,861

*Canadian entry date between July 1 and December 31, 2020 unless otherwise stated.

**The control period for these products runs from August 1 to July 31, so the period shown is from the implementation of CUSMA to the start of the new control period, i.e. July 1, 2020-July 31, 2020.

Supplemental imports

Under the EIPA, the Minister may exercise discretion to authorize imports of products subject to TRQs apart from the import access quantity, for example, if the Minister determines that the importation of these products is required to meet Canadian market needs. Supplemental import permits are normally issued for the following specified purposes:

Policies governing supplemental import permits for each commodity along with any updates published in a Notice to Importers may be found on the ¶¶ÒùÊÓƵ website.

Table 19: Poultry and eggs: supplemental imports*
Supplemental imports
Unit of measureIREPImport to competeMarket shortageOther
Chicken and chicken products Eviscerated Equivalent Kilograms23,295,3077,421,27705,771
Turkey and turkey products Eviscerated Equivalent Kilograms090,80100
Broiler hatching eggs and chicksEgg Equivalent0000
Eggs and egg products Dozens163,75107,738,7780
Shell eggsDozens00695,3920
Shell eggs for breakingDozens126,00006,362,6400
Egg powderKilograms0000
Egg products (liquid, frozen or further processed egg products)Kilograms21,7070391,4290
Import permits are required for importing inedible egg products into Canada, for monitoring purposes only. Permits were issued for 4,835,350 kilograms of this type of product in 2020.

*Canadian entry date between January 1 and December 31, 2020.

Table 20: Dairy: supplemental imports*
Supplemental imports
Products (Kilograms)IREPImport to competeMarket shortageOther
Butter (Aug. 1 - Jul. 31)16,558,7960014,426
Cheese3,989,47000938,863
Powdered buttermilk 78,3040029,282
Buttermilk (other than powdered buttermilk), curdled milk and cream, kephir and other fermented or acidified milk and cream 35,1990032,166
Fluid milk 47,357,906000
Dry whey (Aug. 1 - Jul. 31)1,393,356002,011
Concentrated/condensed milk/cream1,164,919000
Cream (Aug. 1 - Jul. 31) 775,9150041,958
Products of milk constituents800004,140,938
Food preparations397,72900940,167
Ice cream 0002,477
Yogurt225,261001,829
Dairy products, other than food preparations, not subject to TRQs, including, skimmed and whole milk powder, cream powder, other milk powder, other cream powder, animal feed, non-alcoholic beverages containing milk, chocolate ice cream mix and ice milk mix (Aug. 1 – Jul. 31)2,507,84400284,324
Milk protein substances that do not originate in the United States, Mexico, Chile, Costa Rica, an EU country or other CETA beneficiary, or Israel (Apr. 1 - Mar. 31)0000

*Canadian entry date between January 1 and December 31, 2020 unless otherwise stated.

Imports in excess of TRQ access limits are permitted under General Import Permit No. 100 - Eligible Agricultural Goods, which allows unrestricted imports at the higher rate of duty.

4.3 Non supply-managed products

Other agriculture products subject to import controls are:

The TRQ for margarine was introduced on January 1, 1995.

The restrictions imposed on imports of wheat, barley and their products under the Canadian Wheat Board Act were converted to TRQs on August 1, 1995. These TRQs are administered by ¶¶ÒùÊÓƵ and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) on a first-come, first-served basis using an August to July TRQ control period. Importers may cite General Import Permit No. 20 - Wheat and Wheat Products, Barley and Barley Products to import goods at the lower rate of duty. Once the Access levels are filled, importers must cite General Import Permit No. 100 - Eligible Agricultural Goods on customs entry documents to import goods at the higher rate of duty. Administrative measures are established to ensure full usage of quota, which sometimes results in imports at the within-access rate over the TRQ limit.

The restrictions on imports of non-FTA beef and veal established under the Meat Import Act were converted to a TRQ on January 1, 1995. The TRQ applies to all imports of fresh, chilled and frozen beef and veal that do not originate in Chile, a CUSMA country, or an EU country or other CETA beneficiary.

Table 21: Other agricultural product imports in 2020*
Tariff rate quotasSupplemental imports
Tonnes Description/tariff item numberAccess levelWithin-access importsIREPImport to competeMarket shortageOther
Margarine7,5582,164N/A000
Wheat, barley and their productsWheat226,883261,732**N/A000
Wheat products123,557224,881**N/A000
Barley399,00058,318**N/A000
Barley products19,13129,508**N/A005,665**
Beef and veal (non-NAFTA except Chile)Imports from Australia35,00030,946**N/AN/A00
Imports from New Zealand29,600
Imports from all countries certified by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)11,809

*Canadian entry date between January 1 and December 31, 2020.

**Rounded to nearest whole amount.

4.4 Steel monitoring

Carbon steel products (semi-finished steel, plate, sheet and strip, wire rods, wire and wire products, railway-type products, bars, structural shapes, units, pipes and tubes) were initially added on the ICL, effective September 1, 1986, following a report by the Canadian Import Tribunal recommending the collection of information on goods of this type entering Canada. These products are found in item 80 of the ICL.

Speciality steel products (stainless steel flat-rolled products, stainless steel bars, pipe and tube, wire and wire products, alloy tool steel, mould steel and high speed steel) were initially added to the ICL, effective June 1, 1987, pursuant to an amendment to the EIPA providing for import monitoring of steel products under certain conditions. These products are found in item 81 of the ICL.

The addition of these products to the ICL enables the administration of the Steel Import Monitoring Program.  The program provides more timely steel import data than that available via the regular import reports produced by Statistics Canada. Steel products covered by these items must be imported under the authority of GIP No. 80 - Carbon Steel or GIP No. 81 - Specialty Steel Products. There are no quantitative restrictions for imports of these products. Through the program, ¶¶ÒùÊÓƵ undertakes enhanced analysis and verification of the information found on customs declaration forms and shipping documents with a view to having any data errors corrected when possible inconsistencies are discovered. In addition, the steel GIPs were amended on August 23, 2019 to include reporting and recordkeeping requirements. The requirements were added to the GIPs to facilitate the collection of import data, by requiring importers to provide, upon request, documents and records for the purpose of identifying any errors in import data and determining the source of any inconsistencies in a targeted manner.

These steel products, that had been added to the ICL pursuant to subsection 5.1(1) of the EIPA, were deemed removed from the ICL on November 1, 2020. Further to the Joint Statement by Canada and the United States on Section 232 on Duties on Steel and Aluminum, issued on May 17, 2019, these products were re-added to the ICL on November 2, 2020, pursuant to paragraph 5(1)(e). This eliminated the need for these products to be re-added to the ICL every three years in order for the program to continue and for an annual statistical summary to be tabled in Parliament. The information contained in the summary is publicly available online. It was also clarified at that time that stainless steel in primary or semi-finished form is included in item 81 of the ICL.

In accordance with subsection 5.1(3) of the EIPA, on February 24, 2021, the Minister of Foreign Affairs tabled in Parliament an annual report with a statistical summary of the any information collected during 2020 related to imports of steel.

4.5 Steel safeguards

Following a Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) report issued on April 3, 2019, the Government of Canada imposed final safeguards in the form of TRQs on heavy plate and stainless steel wire products, effective from May 13, 2019 to October 24, 2021. As such, goods covered by the final steel safeguards were added to the ICL, under item 82, on May 13, 2019. ¶¶ÒùÊÓƵ administers the TRQs by way of shipment-specific import permits. Goods not covered by a valid import permit at time of accounting are subject to a surtax.

Table 22: Steel safeguards 2020*
Within access levels (KG)
Control typeJun 3 2019 to Jan 31 2020Feb 1 to May 12 2020May 13 to Dec 31 2020
Heavy plateQuota allocation23,862,7362,919,3835,519,281
First-come, first-served6,289,308404,05130,452
Stainless steel wireQuota allocation900,091349,092747,312
First-come, first-served974,673423,947650,949

*Canadian entry date between January 1 and December 31, 2020.

4.6 Aluminum monitoring

Further to the Joint Statement by Canada and the United States on Section 232 on Duties on Steel and Aluminum, issued on May 17, 2019, aluminum products were added to the ICL, under item 83, on September 1, 2019, pursuant to paragraph 5(1)(e). GIP No. 83 – Aluminum Products, applicable to products under item 83, was also issued on September 1, 2019. Item 83 includes the following products:

The addition of aluminum products to the ICL enabled the implementation of the Aluminum Import Monitoring Program. Products covered by item 83 must be imported under the authority of the GIP No. 83. There is no limit to the quantity of aluminum products covered under item 83 that may be imported into Canada and there are no fees for using the GIP.

The GIP allows ¶¶ÒùÊÓƵ to have access to import data and make it available to industry in an expedited manner. In addition, ¶¶ÒùÊÓƵ undertakes enhanced analysis and verification of the information found on customs declaration forms and shipping documents with a view to having any data errors corrected when possible inconsistencies are discovered. The GIP is also equipped with reporting and recordkeeping requirements to facilitate the collection of import data, by requiring importers to provide, upon request, documents and records for the purpose of identifying any errors in import data and determining the source of any inconsistencies in a targeted manner.

4.7 Weapons, munitions and chemicals

Pursuant to Items 70 to 73 and 91 of the ICL, a permit is required to import into Canada all small- and large-calibre weapons, ammunition, bombs, pyrotechnics, tanks and self-propelled guns. As well, all components and parts specifically designed for these items require import permits. Firearms legally classified as non-restricted or restricted and destined to sporting or recreational use, and their parts, are exempt from the import permit requirement. 

Manufacturers and businesses licensed by the Provincial Chief Firearms Officers may import prohibited weapons, prohibited firearms and prohibited devices under strictly controlled conditions. Pursuant to Item 74 of the ICL, an import permit is required to import certain toxic chemicals, precursors and mixtures.

Since 2013, broad-based Import Permit Letters were introduced for low-risk, high-volume commercial importers of firearms and related goods, leading to a significant reduction of import permit applications for weapons, munitions and chemicals issued annually.

Figure 4: Number of import permits for weapons, munitions and chemicals in 2020*

Figure 4: Number of Import Permits for Weapons, Munitions and Chemicals in 2020*
Text version
Applications Rejected61
Permits Issued89
Permits Cancelled6

*Between January 1 and December 31, 2020 (data based on submission of applications).

4.8 International Import Certificates and Delivery Verification Certificates

In 2020, ¶¶ÒùÊÓƵ issued 1,311 International Import Certificates and 201 Delivery Verification Certificates.

The issuance of International Import Certificates (IICs) and Delivery Verification Certificates (DVCs) is provided for under section 9 of the EIPA and under the Import Certificate Regulations (C.R.C., c. 603). IICs enable an importer to describe goods in detail and to certify that he/she/they will not assist in their disposal or diversion during transit. Such assurances may be required by the country of export before permitting the shipment of certain goods, most notably munitions and strategic goods.

An IIC is not an import permit and does not entitle the holder to import the goods described on the certificate into Canada. DVCs may be issued following arrival of the goods in Canada to enable an exporter of goods to Canada to comply with requirements of the exporting country.

Since 2011, IIC letters have been issued to trusted high-volume importers, which has resulted in a significant reduction in the number of individual certificates issued.

4.9 General Import Permits

The EIPA provides for the issuance of general permits authorizing the import of certain designated goods to all destinations or to specified destinations. GIPs are intended to facilitate imports by enabling importers to import selected goods without applying for individual permits.

The following GIPs were in effect during 2020:

5.0 Offences under the Export and Import Permits Act

There were no convictions for offences under the EIPA during the 2020 calendar year.

Penalties are listed in subsection 19(1) of the EIPA as follows:

Every person who contravenes any provision of this EIPA or the regulations is guilty of:

  1. an offence punishable on summary conviction and liable to a fine not exceeding $250,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or to both; or
  2. an indictable offence and liable to a fine in an amount that is in the discretion of the court or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years, or to both.

A prosecution under paragraph 19(1)(a) may be instituted at any time within but not later than three years after the time when the subject matter of the complaint arose.

Section 25 of the EIPA delegates responsibility for the enforcement of the EIPA to all officers as defined in the Customs Act (subsection 2(1)). ¶¶ÒùÊÓƵ entrusts the enforcement of the EIPA to the CBSA and to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

In 2020, ¶¶ÒùÊÓƵ responded to 3 formal requests for investigation support.

Export control enforcement continued to be a key element in Canada's export control system in 2020. ¶¶ÒùÊÓƵ works closely with enforcement agencies, in particular the CBSA and the RCMP. Upon receipt of information relating to an unauthorized export or import of controlled items, ¶¶ÒùÊÓƵ may, depending on the circumstances of the case, refer the matter to the RCMP or CBSA for investigation and decision as to whether to proceed with administrative measures and/or penalties or criminal charges.

¶¶ÒùÊÓƵ also routinely provides assistance, expert advice and investigative support to the CBSA, RCMP and other investigative agencies.

Alleged violations may come to the attention of ¶¶ÒùÊÓƵ directly (e.g. a Canadian exporter or importer may bring forward a suspected violation or indirectly, as a result of an inspection and/or audit.

In 2020, the CBSA referred 299 export detentions to ¶¶ÒùÊÓƵ.

Potential violations may also be identified in the course of CBSA operations at border control locations and major ports of entry and exit. CBSA may detain a shipment, referring to the appropriate department, including ¶¶ÒùÊÓƵ, to verify that legislative and regulatory requirements controlling exports (e.g. export controls under the EIPA, sanctions, licenses from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission for nuclear-related items) have been met.

In 2020, ¶¶ÒùÊÓƵ received 35 voluntary disclosures from Canadian exporters regarding the export of strategic and/or military goods and technology.

¶¶ÒùÊÓƵ recognizes that, on occasion, responsible exporters and importers inadvertently fail to comply with the EIPA. Exporters and importers finding themselves in such a situation are encouraged to disclose any incidents of non-compliance to ¶¶ÒùÊÓƵ as soon as possible.

If, after considering the information provided, ¶¶ÒùÊÓƵ is satisfied that the exporter has fully cooperated, no further action may be warranted. Depending on the gravity or overall circumstances of a case, ¶¶ÒùÊÓƵ may nonetheless refer disclosures to the CBSA or RCMP for further review.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs has the authority to designate inspectors, who for any purpose related to the administration or enforcement of the EIPA may inspect, audit or examine the records of any person who has applied for an authorization under the EIPA. Such activities are conducted to ensure compliance with the EIPA, its associated regulations and established policies, including eligibility criteria associated with various TRQs.

¶¶ÒùÊÓƵ has verification teams deployed to four major metropolitan areas to support the administration of import and export permits: Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver. Between 100 and 140 verification inspections are conducted annually.

6.0 Performance standards

Our aims are to:

Foster an orderly processing of controlled imports into and exports from Canada;

Implement our commitments under international agreements; and

Ensure that the administration of trade controls under the authority of the EIPA is carried out smoothly and without undue hindrance to Canadian exporters, importers and consumers.

¶¶ÒùÊÓƵ is committed to providing clients with prompt and reliable service based on Canadian export and import controls statutes, regulations and policies.

More information on Our Service Pledge may be found on the ¶¶ÒùÊÓƵ website.

In order to fulfill our responsibilities under the EIPA, ¶¶ÒùÊÓƵ has established service standards. In 2020, these were:

In 2020, a total of 306,711 permit applications were processed within EICS and EXCOL (data based on permits processed between January 1 and December 31, 2020), of which approximately 98.49% of them (302,073) were processed within the allotted service periods. Further detail on the specific service standards for military, dual-use and strategic permits may be found in the 2020 Report on Exports of Military Goods.

7.0 Definitions

Cancelled:

Permits may be cancelled for reasons such as: permit expired; goods never arrived at the border; amendments to the permit were necessary; at the request of the applicant as the permit is no longer required; policy reasons at the direction of the Minister of Foreign Affairs; etc.
Note regarding strategic exports: Permits that have been cancelled are no longer valid for the export of goods or technology. An issued export permit can also be suspended for policy reasons and reinstated later.

Issued:

Total permits granted to importers or exporters to import goods into or export goods from Canada.

Applicable to Non-Strategic Export Permits and Import Permits Only:

Rejected:

Permit applications are normally rejected owing to issues such as insufficient or incorrect information, insufficient quota etc.

Applicable to Strategic Export Permits Only:

Denied:

Means a permit that was denied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, either directly by the Minister or by departmental officials further to policy direction received from the Minister. This occurs in fewer than 1% of cases annually and is generally for reasons related to Canada’s foreign and defence policies, as provided in the criteria for controlling the export of military, dual use and strategic goods outlined in section 3.2.

Returned Without Action:

A permit application is returned without action by ¶¶ÒùÊÓƵ if it is administratively incomplete, or if there is inconsistent information. A company that wishes to pursue the export is required to submit a new permit application.

Withdrawn:

Permit applications may be withdrawn either at the request of the exporter or if the exporter is advised by ¶¶ÒùÊÓƵ that a permit is not required. An exporter may decide to withdraw their application if the permit is no longer required because the commercial contract has fallen through, if a change to the contract requires them to resubmit the information under a separate application, or if the exporter becomes aware of political, commercial, or other types of risk that may affect their application and decides not to pursue the opportunity. An application may also be withdrawn if the goods or technology proposed for export are not controlled, if the items are controlled but a permit is not required for their export to the U.S., or if a General Export Permit applies. All of these situations are captured in the category of withdrawn permits.

8.0 Glossary

ACL
Area Control List
AFCCL
Automatic Firearms Country Control List
ATT
Arms Trade Treaty
BCL
Brokering Control List
CBSA
Canada Border Services Agency
CETA
Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement
CITT
Canadian International Trade Tribunal
CPTPP
Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership
CUSMA
Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement
ECL
Export Control List
EE
Eviscerated Equivalent
EICS
Export and Import Controls System
EIPA
Export and Import Permits Act
EU
European Union
EXCOL
Export Controls System On-line
FTA
Free Trade Agreement
GBP1
General Brokering Permit No. 1
GEP
General Export Permit
GIP
General Import Permit
ICL
Import Control List
IREP
Import for Re-Export Program
MPC
Milk Protein Concentrate
NAFTA
North America Free Trade Agreement
RCMP
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
SME
Square Meter Equivalents
SMP
Skim Milk Powder
TPL
Tariff Preference Level
TRQs
Tariff Rate Quotas
U.S.
United States
WTO
World Trade Organization
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