Forward Regulatory Plan: 2018-2020
Customs Sufferance Warehouses Regulations

Description of the objective

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has continually sought to modernize the cargo control and sufferance warehouse programs to achieve greater efficiencies for trade. The Agency's aim is to modernize processes in order to establish better and smarter controls of unreleased cargo, as well as support the CBSA's examination program and ensure consistency in the application of the relevant legislation and Agency policies.

In 2012, as part of its initiative to streamline rules and regulations, the CBSA intended to change various requirements for sufferance warehouses such as the need to be licensed and allow industry to move to a self-managed system with administrative oversight provided by the CBSA. The Cargo Control and Sufferance Warehouse Modernization (CCSWM) initiative held extensive stakeholder consultations on this proposal and, as a result, moved forward with the elimination of customs sufferance warehouse licensing fees. The intention was to reduce administrative burden, to both the CBSA and the sufferance warehouse industry, and to reduce the monetary burden on sufferance warehouse operators.

The CBSA implemented this minor regulatory change using the Customs Notice process. The proposed amendments to the Customs Sufferance Warehouses Regulations will formalize regulatory changes that were enacted and implemented by the CBSA through Customs Notice 13-022 on April 1, 2014.

Enabling Acts: Customs Act

Indication of business impacts

There may be business impacts. The "One-for-One" Rule and/or the small business lens may apply.

Public consultation opportunities

The CBSA has established a Border Commercial Consultative Committee (BCCC) CCSWM Sub-Committee. Sub-committee meetings were held on March 20, 2012, June 26, 2012, November 26, 2012 and April 9, 2013. The CBSA consulted with other government departments and agencies, and internally through working groups to discuss this regulation change.

Canada has been administering these regulations as though the amendments are already in place since April 1, 2014.

Departmental Contact

Marie-Josée Charette
A/Manager
Programs Branch
Canada Border Services Agency
Tel.: 613-941-3495
Marie-Josee.Charette@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca

Related links

To learn about upcoming or ongoing consultations on proposed federal regulations, visit the Canada Gazette and Consulting with Canadians websites.

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