Measures to support the Economy and Trade
Classification: Unclassified
Branch/Agency: CTB/CBSA
Proposed Response:
- Borders remain open for commercial operations and the CBSA is actively working to facilitate goods movement. Importers are being instructed to proceed as normal.
- The CBSA and Public Safety are working with our North American partners to facilitate the flow of essential goods (e.g. medical supplies) and people (e.g. workers in the transport and medical industry) to preserve the vital supply chains between our countries.
- This includes operational assistance and information sharing to Marine Terminal Operators, the Canadian Trucking Alliance, airlines, couriers, customs brokers and other trade chain partners.
- On March 16, 2020, in collaboration with Finance Canada, the CBSA waived duties and taxes on imported goods for emergency use in response to COVID-19.
- This measure facilitates the importation of such goods by or on behalf of FPT and municipal entities, such as centres for health care and first responder organizations, including police and medical teams. The CBSA has also implemented, as of March 19, 2020 a
45-day grace period for late accounting. - In addition, the CBSA President wrote to the Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO) on March 17, 2020 to request that the Secretary General encourage WCO Member States to maintain coordinated action and avoid unduly disrupting international trade supply chains.
- The WCO has signalled agreement with the proposal and is taking steps to achieve this objective.
- US Customs and Border Protection has agreed to the CBSA’s proposal to strike a Task Force in order to continue to advance the Canada-US Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) and to facilitate efficient trade and the cross-border movement of essential goods, workers and services in North America.
Background:
On March 16, 2020, the CBSA issued Customs Notice 20-08 relating to the Imported Goods for Emergency Use in Response to COVID-19. On March 19, 2020, Customs Notice 20-10 was issued to provide a waiver of late accounting penalties for 45 days. Both notices are posted on the CBSA’s external website.
- Customs Notice 20-08: https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/cn-ad/cn20-08-eng.html
- Customs Notice 20-10: https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/cn-ad/cn20-10-eng.html
On March 18, 2020, the CBSA held a teleconference with its Border Commercial Consultative Committee (BCCC) to check in on operational integrity issues and provide a forum to share information and communicate about issues of concern. The BCCC consists of customs brokers, representatives of modal conveyances rail, marine, highway, air, courier. In addition, the CBSA is consulting with its industry stakeholder group to capture, and examine possible procedural changes that can be put in place to reduce administrative burden at this time.
CBSA has also established a joint Task Force with US Customs and Border Protection to collaborate on border management/enforcement in the Covid-19 context, and is working with other government departments to assist with providing support to industry (CFIA, PHAC, HC, Agriculture, IRCC,TC, ISED, GAC, NRCan).
The restriction on non-essential travel at the Canada – U.S. border will not impeded trade. Both Canada and the U.S. recognize how closely our economies are integrated, and it is essential that trade continue during this pandemic.
The order ensures that economic supply chains remain open and we will work to facilitate the continued access to goods and services, uninterrupted. Canadians and Americans cross the border every day to work or study, for example, truck drivers, firefighters and nurses. All of these people and goods will not be impacted by the new measures.
Contacts:
Prepared by: Peter Hill, Vice-President, Commercial and Trade Branch, 613-952-2531
Approved by: Peter Hill, Vice-President, Commercial and Trade Branch, 613-952-2531
- Date modified: