Certain Goods Remission Order (COVID-19)
Customs Notice 20-19

1) This notice provides information on the Certain Goods Remission Order (COVID-19), SOR-2020-101, which allows for the relief of customs duty for eligible goods which were imported on or after May 5, 2020. This relief can be claimed at the time of importation or within two years of the date of importation.

2) Appendix A provides a list and description of goods based on tariff classification which are eligible for relief under this Order. Appendix B provides a list of other medical supplies that are not subject to this Order as they are already eligible for Most-Favoured Nation duty-free tariff treatment

3) The administration of this remission order is the responsibility of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

Application

4) Remission is granted for goods listed in the Certain Goods Remission Order (COVID-19), SOR-2020-101, under the following conditions:

• a) the good was imported into Canada on or after May 5, 2020 and subject to customs duties;
• b) no other claim for relief of the customs duties has been granted under the Customs Tariff in respect of the good;
• c) the importer files, on request, the evidence or information that the Canada Border Services Agency requires to determine eligibility for remission;
• d) the importer agrees that it is subject, at any time, including after remission relief is provided, to review by the Canada Border Services Agency for the purpose of determining whether the information supplied by the importer under paragraph (c) is accurate and complete and whether the facts on which the Canada Border Services Agency relied or intends to rely to determine the eligibility for remission remain unchanged in all material respects; and
• e) at the time when the Canada Border Services Agency conducts the review referred to in paragraph (d), the Canada Border Services Agency must be able to conclude that the information supplied remains accurate and complete and that the facts remain unchanged in all material respects.

5) All claims for relief of customs duties under the remission order for these goods must also include all relevant documents (e.g. copy of original Form B3-3, bill of lading, sales invoice, waybill, sales contract, etc.) that demonstrate that the imported good matches the list of goods in Appendix A, was imported into Canada on or after May 5, 2020 and subject to customs duties.

How to Apply

6) In respect of commercial goods, to obtain relief of customs duties at time of import, special authorization code 20-304 is to be entered in field 26 – Special Authority of Form B3-3.

7) Casual goods, at time of import, Form BSF715 or BSF715-1 Casual Goods Accounting Document, for the accounting of goods subject to this remission order, will be prepared according to standard procedures without collection of duty.

Examinations and Verifications

8) Importations may be subject to examination at the time of importation and to post-release verification for compliance with the Tariff Classification, Valuation, Origin and Marking programs, and any other applicable programs or provisions administered by the CBSA. If non-compliance is encountered by the CBSA, in addition to assessments of any applicable customs duties and taxes, penalties may be imposed and interest will be assessed, where applicable.

Corrections, Re-Determinations, and Refunds

9) Where the remission order is applicable, and an overpayment of customs duty has been identified on commercial importations, Form B2, Canada Customs – Adjustment Request may be filed in a regional CBSA office requesting a refund of the overpaid amount under section 74(1)(g) of the Customs Act. Please refer to Memorandum D17-2-1, The Coding, Submission and Processing of Form B2 Canada Customs Adjustment Request, for additional information on completing Form B2.

10) The CBSA may re-determine or further re-determine the origin, tariff classification, and/or value for duty on its own initiative or in response to a self-adjustment. The CBSA may assess any undeclared amount of customs duty that is not eligible.

11) A Blanket B2 request may be submitted to request a refund of customs duties on more than 25 transactions. For the procedures surrounding the preparation and presentation of Blanket B2 Adjustment Requests, please refer to Memorandum D17-2-4, Preparation and Presentation of Blanket B2 Adjustment Requests.

12) Where the remission order was applicable and customs duty has been paid on non-commercial importations, Form B2G, Informal Adjustment Request may be sent to one of the CBSA’s five casual refund centres, in accordance with the instructions outlined in Memorandum D6-2-6, Refund of Duties and Taxes on Non-Commercial Importations.

Additional Information

13) For more information on the administration of the Certain Goods Remission Order (COVID-19), within Canada call the Border Information Service at 1-800-461-9999. From outside Canada call 204-983-3500 or 506-636-5064. Long distance charges will apply. Agents are available Monday to Friday (08:00 – 16:00 local time / except holidays). TTY is also available within Canada: 1-866-335-3237.

Appendix A

Goods eligible for relief under the Certain Goods Remission Order (COVID-19)

*The descriptions below are for illustrative purposes only. Customs duty relief is applicable to all goods under these tariff items.

Appendix B

Additional information: MFN Duty-free goods and description

Date modified:

2020-05-27