Rules of Origin Respecting the Most-Favoured-Nation Tariff
Memorandum D11-4-3

Ottawa, April 4, 2013

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In Brief

1. This memorandum has been revised in order to provide a link to the official version of the Most-Favoured-Nation Tariff Rules of Origin Regulations. The Rules of Most-Favoured-Nation Tariff Rules of Origin Regulations are no longer fully excerpted in this memorandum.

2. The editing revisions made in this memorandum do not affect or change any of the existing policies or procedures.

This memorandum contains a link to the official version of the Most-Favoured-Nation Tariff Rules of Origin Regulations. The memorandum also contains guidelines regarding the proof of origin and shipping requirements for the Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) tariff treatment.

Regulations

The official version of the Most-Favoured-Nation Tariff Rules of Origin Regulations may be found on the Department of Justice website.

Guidelines and General Information

General

1. MFN beneficiary countries are set out in the List of Countries of the Customs Tariff.

2. Goods that originate in countries not set out in the List of Countries of the Customs Tariff and goods that do not satisfy the MFN rules of origin are subject to the General Tariff rate of customs duty. Goods originating in North Korea are not entitled to the MFN tariff rates.

Rules of Origin

3. To qualify for the MFN tariff treatment, at least 50% of the cost of production of the goods must be incurred in one or more MFN beneficiary countries or Canada. Canadian content may be included as MFN originating in the calculation of the 50% requirement.

4. Cost of production may include:

• (a) materials (exclusive of duties and taxes);
• (b) labour; and
• (c) factory overhead.

5. The goods must be finished in a MFN beneficiary country in the form in which they were imported into Canada.

Proof of Origin

6. Proof of origin for MFN tariff treatment must be presented in the form of:

• (a) a commercial invoice or Canada Customs Invoice, prepared by the vendor indicating the country of origin of the goods, or
• (b) any other documentation indicating the country of origin of the goods, as outlined in Memorandum D11-4-2, Proof of Origin.

7. Proof of origin must be presented at the times set out Section 13 of in the Proof of Origin of Imported Goods Regulations as found in Memorandum D11-4-2.

Shipping Requirements

8. The goods must be shipped directly from a MFN beneficiary country to a consignee in Canada on a through bill of lading (TBL).

9. Transshipment through any intermediate country is allowed provided:

• (a) the goods remain under customs transit control in the intermediate country;
• (b) the goods do not undergo any operation in the intermediate country other than unloading, reloading, splitting up of loads, or operations required to keep the goods in good condition;
• (c) the goods do not enter into trade or consumption in the intermediate country; and
• (d) the goods do not remain in temporary storage in the intermediate country for a period exceeding six months.

Additional Information

10. For more information, call contact the CBSA Border Information Service (BIS):
Calls within Canada & the United States (toll free): 1-800-461-9999
Calls outside Canada & the United States (long distance charges apply):
1-204-983-3550 or 1-506-636-5064

TTY: 1-866-335-3237

Contact Us online (webform)
Contact Us at the CBSA website

References

Issuing office:

Trade Programs Directorate

Headquarters file:

4570-3, 4570-10

Legislative references:

Customs Tariff
P.C. 1997-2004, December 29, 1997
P.C. 2001-374, March 15, 2001
P.C. 2009-129, January 29, 2009

Other references:

D11-4-2

Superseded memorandum D:

D11-4-3, May 8, 2009

Services provided by the Canada Border Services Agency are available in both official languages.