Instructions Pertaining to the Systems Software Development Contract Remission Order
Memorandum D8-3-16

Ottawa, September 18, 2013

This document is also available in PDF (212 KB) [help with PDF files]

In Brief

  1. This memorandum is updated to confirm that the Systems Software Development Contract Remission Order does not provide relief of the goods and services tax (GST).
  2. It is also updated to exclude the references to Memorandum D8-6-1, Instructions Pertaining to Conditional Remission Orders Subject to Post Audit and Form K90R, Application for Remission in Accordance With Order in Council, both of which have been cancelled.
  3. It also contains editing revisions which do not affect or change policies or procedures.

This memorandum outlines and explains the conditions under which remission may be granted on computer equipment imported into Canada by or on behalf of a Canadian company for use in carrying out a systems software development contract.

Remission Order

Order Respecting the Remission of Customs Duties Paid or Payable on Computer Equipment Imported Into Canada for Use in Carrying Out Systems Software Development Contracts

Short Title

1. This Order may be cited as the Systems Software Development Contract Remission Order.

Interpretation

2. In this Order, "computer equipment" means

"Minister"
means the Minister of National Revenue; (ministre)
"support"
means the correction of deficiencies or other problems encountered in the subsequent use of operational or applications systems software that has been developed pursuant to a systems software development contract; (soutien)
"systems software development contract"
means a contract between a Canadian company and a foreign company for the development or for the development and support by the Canadian company of new operational or applications systems software for use with existing or future computer systems, or for the modification of existing systems software by the Canadian company to make it compatible with existing or future computer systems. (contrat de mise au point de logiciel)

Remission

3. Subject to section 5, remission is hereby granted of the customs duties paid or payable under the Customs Tariff on computer equipment imported into Canada by or on behalf of a Canadian company for use in carrying out a systems software development contract.

4. Repealed.

Conditions

5. Remission is granted under this Order on condition that

Guidelines and General Information

1. This Remission Order provides remission of customs duties paid or payable on computer equipment imported into Canada by or on behalf of a Canadian company for use in carrying out a systems software development contract.

2. The reference in section 2 of the Order to the "Minister of National Revenue" should be interpreted as Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness.

3. This Remission Order does not provide relief of the goods and services tax (GST).

4. When a company wishes to qualify for this Remission Order, prior to the importation of any goods, it is required to satisfy the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) that it will meet the conditions and requirements set forth in the Order in Council and that the records kept are sufficient to establish such compliance. A detailed proposal of how imported goods will be controlled must be supplied to the CBSA prior to using any such Order.

5. This Order provides for a remission of the customs duties paid or payable on computer equipment when imported by or on behalf of a Canadian company for use in carrying out a systems software development contract.

6. For the purposes of this Order, equipment encompasses machines and apparatus which are electronic data processing (EDP) equipment in their own right, as well as peripheral equipment used with accessories and attachments, but does not include replacement parts. Peripheral equipment means devices which serve to feed data into the system or receive information from the system (i.e., input/output devices).

7. Accessories and attachments are devices of secondary or subordinate importance which augment the capabilities of EDP apparatus, but are not essential for their operation. Parts, on the other hand, are those components which are designed for and essential for the operation of the article into which they are incorporated.

Additional Information

8. For more information, 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.

References

Issuing office:
Trade Programs Directorate
Headquarters file:
6564-0
Legislative references:
Financial Administration Act, subsection 23(2)
Order in Council P.C. 1986-502, SI/86-31, as amended by SI/88-18, February 27, 1986
SI/93-720, December 9, 1993, and SI/95-43,
April 19, 1995
Other references:
N/A
Superseded memorandum D:
D8-3-16, August 4, 1995
Date modified: